Yellowstone + Grand Teton + Devils Tower — 3-3-3 Pace (25 Days)
3 nights per stop · max 365 miles per drive day · Jun–Sep only
Route Map
● Austin (start/end) · numbered stops in order · dashed line shows approximate route
Estimated Trip Cost
Gas estimate assumes 2WD pickup + travel trailer at 10 mpg, 65 mph max, $3.25/gal regular unleaded (approx. national avg). Includes 2280 mi of stops + 365 mi return to Austin.
Trip Highlights
- ▶ 4 nights at Yellowstone — enough time for Lamar Valley wildlife, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the geyser basins without rushing
- ▶ Black Hills day trip from Devils Tower: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Jewel Cave all within 90 minutes
- ▶ 3 nights at RMNP twice — outbound and return — with different activities each stay
- ▶ Genuine 3-3-3 pace: the longest single drive is 380 miles (Palo Duro → RMNP) and that's the only day over 300 miles
Stop-by-Stop
Days 1–3: depart Austin Day 1 at 7 AM. Three nights at Palo Duro Canyon. Day 2: Lighthouse Trail. Day 3: Pioneer Amphitheater and canyon overlook drives. Palo Duro is underrated as a destination in its own right — three nights reveals it.
Days 4–6: 380 miles to Moraine Park CG (timed-entry vehicle permit required). Day 5: Bear Lake Loop and Nymph/Dream/Emerald Lakes chain (6 mi RT). Day 6: Trail Ridge Road full drive — 48 miles to Grand Lake, return same road; tundra at 12,183 ft. Three nights gets you the full RMNP experience.
Jackson, WY • NPS • $59/nt (no hookup) · $78/nt (electric)
Days 7–9: 350 miles to Gros Ventre CG. Day 8: Jenny Lake shuttle + Hidden Falls + Inspiration Point (2.4 mi round trip from boat dock). Day 9: Oxbow Bend sunrise (moose and beaver), Signal Mountain Summit Drive, Jackson town for dinner.
Days 10–13: 60-mile drive to Madison CG — arrive by 10 AM. Four nights, four full days in the park. Day 11: Old Faithful → Midway Geyser Basin → Firehole Lake Drive. Day 12: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (Upper + Lower Falls). Day 13: Lamar Valley all-day wildlife drive — arrive at dawn.
Days 14–16: 220 miles east to Devils Tower Belle Fourche CG — first come, no reservations; arrive by noon. Three nights at the base. Day 15: Tower Trail at dawn before crowds, then Black Hills day trip to Mount Rushmore (60 miles east). Day 16: Jewel Cave NM or Crazy Horse Memorial.
Days 17–19: 360 miles south to Moraine Park for a second stay. Day 18: Longs Peak attempt (14,259 ft, 16 mi RT — start by 3 AM to beat afternoon storms) or Chautauqua Park easy hike. Day 19: Estes Park town day — Stanley Hotel history, Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre.
Days 20–22: 260 miles south to the Rio Grande gorge above Taos. Day 21: Taos Pueblo (UNESCO) and Taos Plaza. Day 22: Rio Grande Gorge Bridge at sunset — 650 ft above the river. Final destination before Texas.
Day 23: depart 8 AM — 285 miles east back to Palo Duro Canyon. Final transit night in Texas before the last drive home.