This is an LB/AI generated itinerary to fast-track through National Parks in the West and Midwest regions of the United States.

Try to keep up…

Day 1

Tuesday Sep 8: Headed West

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JAX>AUS then AUS>SLC

Route: Head east out of Salt Lake City International Airport to merge onto I-15 North. Stay on I-15 North across the Utah-Idaho state line, driving past Pocatello directly into Idaho Falls. Take Exit 116 for I-15 Business North/West Sunnyside Road toward Whitewater Drive.

Night 1 Destination: 7:00 PM arrival at Home2 Suites by Hilton Idaho Falls. 1160 Whitewater Drive, Idaho Falls, ID

Day 2

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Wednesday Sep 9: Jackson Hole, Grand Teton & South Yellowstone

Departure: 7AM (Essential early start to beat entrance lines)

Route 1: Take US-26 East out of Idaho Falls through Swan Valley, transitioning onto WY-22 East over Teton Pass into Jackson Hole.

Stop 1:  8:45 AM Jackson Town Square, WY. Quick stop for photos at the antler arches and a bathroom break. Do not plan a sit-down meal or a long shopping excursion here. Park quickly near the Jackson Town Square, take your photo under the famous elk antler arches, grab a coffee to go, and head out.

Route 2:  Drive north out of Jackson on US-191 North / US-89 North directly into Grand Teton National Park.

Stop briefly at Jenny Lake Overlook for mountain vistas. Skip the time-consuming Jenny Lake shuttle boat. Instead, drive the scenic loop and stop strictly at the Jenny Lake Overlook and the Oxbow Bend Overlook for world-class photos of the peaks reflecting on the water without hiking delays.

Stop 2:  10:45A  Grand Teton National Park – Jenny Lake

Take pictures of the iconic Teton Range reflection at Jenny Lake.

11:15 AM – Enter Yellowstone via South Entrance: Drive past the lake.

11:45 AM – West Thumb Geyser Basin: Stretch your legs on the short lakeside boardwalk loop. This lakeside geyser basin sits right inside the South Entrance. It takes just 20 minutes to walk the short boardwalk, offering brilliant hydrothermal pools framed directly against the massive backdrop of Yellowstone Lake.

12:30 PM – Traverse Craig Pass to Old Faithful: Arrive at the park’s busiest hub.

1:00 PM to 3:30 PM – Old Faithful & Lunch: Watch the eruption, walk a small portion of the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk if time permits, and eat lunch.

3:30 PM – Drive North to West Yellowstone: Head past the Madison Junction, keeping an eye out for elk along the Madison River.

4:30 PM – Check-In at Holiday Inn West Yellowstone: Cleanly arrived with plenty of afternoon energy left to unpack and explore the gateway town.

Night 2 Destination: 5:30 PM arrival at Holiday Inn West Yellowstone 315 Yellowstone Ave, West Yellowstone, MT

 

Day 3

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Thursday Sep 10: Yellowstone National Park, Cody WY, & Bighorn

7:30 AM – Depart West Yellowstone: Head east past Madison Junction straight toward Canyon Village. Upon reaching Canyon Village, drive straight down to the South Rim Drive. Park immediately at Artist Point to view the Lower Falls. Do not attempt the canyon basin stairs or long trail networks; keep your stop to 40 minutes maximum to guard your timeline.

8:45 AM – Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Capture your photos from the main overlooks at Artist Point and Upper Falls.

9:45 AM – Roll Through Hayden Valley: Keep your vehicle moving steadily south through the valley floor to admire the bison herds.

10:15 AM – Pivot East toward Sylvan Pass: Turn away from the lake and head up the scenic Sylvan Pass toward the East Entrance.

12:00 PM – Arrive in Cody, WY: Fuel up the car and enjoy a sit-down lunch downtown along Sheridan Avenue.

1:30 PM – The Bighorn Mountain Climb: Drive east on US-14 across the Bighorn Basin and ascend up into the dense pines of the Bighorn National Forest via Burgess Junction.

Night 3 Stop:  Check-In at Hampton Inn Sheridan 980 Sibley Circle, Sheridan, Wyoming

 

Day 4

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Friday Sep 11 : Devils Tower to the Black Hills

Route: Leave Sheridan → Devils Tower National Monument → Rapid City… Gives you ample time to hike the Tower Trail loop around Devils Tower without looking at your watch.  Leave Devils Tower and take US-14 to I-90 crossing into South Dakota.

*Drive past Spearfish and Sturgis toward DEADWOOD

Night 4 Stop: Hampton Inn & Suites Rapid City  825 Eglin St. Rapid City, SD

 

Day 5

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Saturday Sep 12: Crazy Horse & Mount Rushmore

Route: from Hampton Inn & Suites Rapid City → Crazy Horse Memorial → Mount Rushmore National Memorial → Hampton Inn Scottsbluff, NE. Drive Time: ~3 hours (193 miles). Benefit: Cut down from an impossible schedule to a relaxed exploration of the two massive mountain carvings before an easy late-afternoon cruise down to Nebraska.Night 5 Stop: Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsbluff

Night 5 Stop: Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsbluff 301 West Highway 26 Scottsbluff, NE

 

Day 6

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Sunday Sep 13: Headed Home

“Travel from Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Denver international airport ARRIVE NLT 130PM

Hotel Target Departure Time: 8:00 AM

Exact Route: Head south out of Scottsbluff on NE-71 South, crossing into Colorado where the highway becomes CO-71 South. Turn west onto CO-14 West into Sterling, then merge onto I-76 West toward Denver. Take Exit 12 for E-470 South directly into the airport loop.

Trip Conclusion: 11:00 AM arrival at Denver International Airport DEN>JAX

arrive at LB&K’s

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