A 4-Day Yellowstone and Cody Itinerary Grand Teton, the East Gate and Lamar Valley
Four days, the full Greater Yellowstone loop, with three nights and a private guide.
Three nights, two national parks, one private guide. An evening wildlife drive in Grand Teton, Yellowstone Lake and Hayden Valley, a night in Cody and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, then Lamar Valley and Old Faithful on the way home to Jackson.
“I’ve requested to book a Chain Lakes Loop guide on ExplorOFF, and it was the best idea ever! I highly recommend going with their guided option since you get a real human connection on the trail and don’t have to worry about a thing. Yulia was great to talk to!”
14 stops on a real mapEvery stop pinned in order→Yellowstone: every stop pinned in order.
Jackson → Yellowstone Lake → Cody → Cooke City → Old Faithful → Jackson
Every stop on this trip, in order, opens as one driving route in the Google Maps app. No copying addresses across one at a time.
Yellowstone in photos: 4 of the stops.
Plan and book your 4 days in Yellowstone, one step at a time
- Most Yellowstone roads close to cars on October 31, 2026, and the 2026 projected season for the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296) and Dunraven Pass ends October 12. In spring the East and South entrances and the byway open later than the park's west side, which is why tours that start in April or early May follow a revised route. Source
- Visitors who live outside the US pay an extra $100 per person (16 and over) at each park in 2026, on top of the standard entry. The tour covers park entry for US residents only. Source
How 4 days in Yellowstone split up
Plan 4 days for Yellowstone. Starts: Jackson, WY. Price: $10,995. Group: Up to 10. This 4-day Yellowstone and Cody itinerary starts and ends in Jackson Hole. Go with a guide and it is private for just your group and a naturalist guide. It starts in the late afternoon with a wildlife drive in Grand Teton, and ends four days later back in Jackson, with three nights of lodging included along the way.
Day 1: Grand Teton at dusk
3 stops · Day one
Day 2: Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb and Hayden Valley to Cody
4 stops · Day two
Day 3: Buffalo Bill Center and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
3 stops · Day three
Day 4: Lamar Valley, Mammoth, Old Faithful and home
4 stops · Day four
Grand Teton at dusk
The trip begins between 4 and 5 PM at the 49'er Inn & Suites in Jackson, with an evening wildlife drive through Grand Teton National Park.
Meet in Jackson49'er Inn & Suites · 4–5 PM · DriveThe tour starts between 4 and 5 PM at the 49'er Inn & Suites in Jackson.
- Grand Teton at dusk
Evening wildlife drive · mtnAn evening wildlife drive across the valley floor of Grand Teton: bison, moose, bald eagles, pronghorn, coyotes and mule deer, and possibly bears.
Night in Jackson49'er Inn & Suites, included · lodgeThe first night is in Jackson, included in the tour.
Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb and Hayden Valley to Cody
Leaving Jackson at about 6:30 AM, the guide drives north through Grand Teton past Oxbow Bend and into Yellowstone, watching for grizzly and black bears, elk, bison, wolves, pronghorn and moose.
- Oxbow Bend
The Tetons in the Snake River · ViewpointThe classic view of Mount Moran reflected in a slow bend of the Snake River, and a reliable spot for moose and eagles.
- West Thumb Geyser Basin
Hot springs on the lake · WaterA boardwalk loop of hot springs right on the shore of Yellowstone Lake.
Hayden ValleyBison and bears · mtnThe broad river valley in the middle of the park, with bison herds and bears at a distance.
Night in CodyThe Cody Hotel, included · lodgeOut the east gate to Cody, the town Buffalo Bill founded. The tour includes your room.
Buffalo Bill Center and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
The morning starts at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, then the drive heads out along the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway through the Shoshone National Forest and the Absaroka Mountains.
Buffalo Bill Center of the WestFive museums in one · ViewpointA museum complex covering the American West, its art, wildlife and Plains Indian cultures.
- Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
Over Dead Indian Pass · routeA quiet mountain road through the Shoshone National Forest and the Absaroka Mountains, over Dead Indian Pass at 8,048 feet and along the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone.
Night in Cooke CityThe Alpine, included · lodgeCooke City sits just outside the northeast entrance, minutes from Lamar Valley. The tour includes your room.
Lamar Valley, Mammoth, Old Faithful and home
The final morning is for the big animals: Lamar Valley at first light, with the best odds of the trip for wolves and grizzlies.
- Lamar Valley at dawn
Wolves and grizzlies · mtnThe best wildlife watching in Yellowstone, at the best time of day for wolves and grizzlies.
Mammoth Hot SpringsTravertine terraces · WaterBoardwalks over terraces built by hot water.
Old Faithful and the Old Faithful InnThe finale · ViewpointAn eruption of Old Faithful and time to look around the historic log inn beside it.
- Back to Jackson
Drop-off 4:30–6:30 PM · DriveSouth through Grand Teton and back to Jackson. Drop-off is in town, not at the airport.
What to pack for Yellowstone
Built from this route, not a generic list. Every line says why it is here.
On every day of this trip
Because you are sleeping indoors
For the driving days
Specific to Yellowstone
Before you book.
No car needed
Pickup and drop-off are in Jackson, and the guide drives the whole way in an enclosed tour vehicle.
Live dates and prices
The calendar shows real availability and the exact price for your group size. Private tours cost more for bigger groups.
Early starts
Wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk, so days start early. The guide confirms pickup times the day before.
Keep your distance
Park rules keep you 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other animals. Scopes and binoculars bring them close.
This itinerary, answered.
Cody to Yellowstone itinerary: the questions people ask most.
No. The guide drives the whole trip in an enclosed tour vehicle, from the meeting point in Jackson on day one to drop-off in Jackson on day four.
It is private and priced by group: $10,995 for 1 to 4 people, then more for larger groups (for example $15,393 for 6). The live calendar shows the exact price for your date and group.
A private naturalist guide, 3 nights of lodging (Jackson, Cody and Cooke City), breakfast on days 2, 3 and 4, snacks and drinks, binoculars for everyone, a spotting scope, and park entry for US residents. Other meals and airport transfers are not included. The listing gives two answers on the guide's tip, so check whether it's already in your price when you book.
Night 1 at the 49'er Inn & Suites in Jackson, night 2 at The Cody Hotel in Cody, night 3 at The Alpine in Cooke City. Book your own Jackson hotel for the night before and after.
Some Yellowstone roads and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway are still closed for the season then. The operator sends a revised itinerary for tours between about April 21 and May 12.
The operator keeps 50% of the price if you cancel more than 60 days out, and the full price within 60 days, so travel insurance is worth a look. Online booking closes 13 days before the start date.
Yes. The tour is private and welcomes all ages, for groups of up to 10.
Yes. Tell us your dates and we check what is still open for the plan on this page, then send it back with a booking link for each night and the total. Nothing is charged and nothing is held, and you pay the normal rate.
Pick how you want to go.
Same 4-day route. Same 9 stops.
- 1 night, a campsite near Jackson
- $59
- 1 night, a campsite near Cody
- $20
- 1 night, a campsite near Cooke City
- $20
- Rental car in Jackson, 4 days
- $480
- Gas, about 550 miles
- $100
- Park entry, Grand Teton and Yellowstone, one car
- $70
- Buffalo Bill Center of the West, adult ticket
- $48
- 1 night, a room in Jackson
- from $500
- 1 night, a room in Cody
- from $185
- 1 night, a room in Cooke City
- from $265
- Rental car in Jackson, 4 days
- $480
- Gas, about 550 miles
- $100
- Park entry, Grand Teton and Yellowstone, one car
- $70
- Buffalo Bill Center of the West, adult ticket
- $48
- A private naturalist guide for just your group
- Included
- 3 nights: Jackson, Cody and Cooke City
- Included
- Breakfast on days 2, 3 and 4, snacks and drinks
- Included
- Park entry included for US residents
- Included
Written and walked by Yulia Vasilyeva · Co-founder · Lead planner and guide
Three years leading guided hikes in the Pacific Northwest, rated 5.0 by 20+ verified guests, and she builds every custom itinerary herself. Based in Seattle.
Last checked October 2026
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All reviews are from verified guests. ★★★★★ 5.0 average from 20+ bookings.
"Felt like going out with a really knowledgeable friend who just happens to know everything about the area. No awkward tour-guide energy, just a magnificent day."
"Yulia is an incredible guide. She knew every trail, every viewpoint, and exactly how to pace the day for our group. The photos she took of us were stunning. 100% booking again."
"I was visiting Seattle solo and this was the best decision I made on the trip. Yulia picked me up, had snacks, and took us to a trail I never would have found on my own. Absolute must-do."
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