Seattle to Yellowstone National Park 5-Day Tour

Departing east from Seattle along I-90, our first stop is Coeur d’Alene in northwestern Idaho. Here, you’ll find charming villas dotting the white sandy shores and have the option to take a scenic cruise to soak in the stunning lake views. You’ll also catch a glimpse of the world’s only floating golf green. Next, we’ll continue to Missoula, Montana, where we’ll visit the renowned 50,000 Silver Dollar Collection Bar. Overnight accommodations will be in Missoula.

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Itinerary：

Seattle → Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruise (optional) → The 50,000 Silver Dollar → Missoula

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Coeur d’Alene (Cruise optional)

At the Coeur d’Alene Resort, you’ll discover the world’s longest floating boardwalk, built in 1986. Stretching over 0.75 miles, it features rest stops with benches where you can take in the stunning lake views or watch for osprey and bald eagles. Along the shores of the picturesque Lake Coeur d’Alene, you’ll also find the unique Floating Green golf course—the only one of its kind in the world.

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50,000 Silver Dollar Collection Bar

The 50,000+ Silver Dollar collection began in 1952, started by Gerry and Marie Lincoln. Now maintained by the fourth generation of the Lincoln family, the collection continues to grow. Visitors from around the world have their names engraved on the coins. More than $2,500 in silver dollars are embedded in the bar itself, while the remaining coins beautifully decorate the surrounding walls and ceiling.

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Hotel：Sleep Inn Missoula; or similar

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Yellowstone National Park covers 3,468 square miles (8,983 square kilometers), primarily in Wyoming, with portions extending into Montana and Idaho. Renowned as one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world, Yellowstone is home to the majority of the planet’s geysers—one of the key reasons it was established in 1872 as the first national park in the United States, setting a global precedent. We will arrive around noon and begin exploring the park’s highlights before heading to the hotel for an overnight stay.

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Itinerary:

Missoula → Yellowstone National Park → West Yellowstone

Note: In the Yellowstone Park, we will go to visit: Artist Paint Pots, Fountain Freight Road, Morning Glory Pool, Old Faithful Geyser (visit duration depends on the eruption time of the geyser), Grand Prismatic Hot Springs and other scenic spots, please refer to the tour guide’s actual arrangements.

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Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the United States, is a natural treasure you won’t want to miss. It offers breathtaking scenery year-round and provides a unique opportunity to observe wildlife as they migrate through the park. No matter where you are, you may encounter remarkable animals such as bears, wolves, moose, elk, bison, and more.

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Old Faithful Geyser

Old Faithful, located in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park, is one of the park’s most iconic natural landmarks. Renowned for its remarkable consistency, the cone geyser erupts approximately every 91 minutes, delighting visitors with its reliable display.

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The Grand Prismatic Hot Spring

The Grand Prismatic Spring, measuring about 370 feet (110 meters) in diameter and 160 feet (50 meters) deep, releases around 560 gallons (2,100 liters) of 160°F (70°C) water every minute. It is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. The spring’s vibrant colors are created by microbial mats that thrive around the edges of the mineral-rich water.

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Mud Volcano Area

The Mud Volcano erupted with force in the early 20th century, leaving behind a striking crater that visitors can still see today. The surrounding area features a variety of fascinating geothermal attractions, including the Mud Cauldron, Black Dragon’s Caldron, and Dragon’s Mouth Spring.

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Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin, named after one of Yellowstone’s early superintendents, is considered the hottest geyser basin in the park. The Porcelain Basin within it features a stark, barren landscape shaped by its highly acidic environment, which makes it difficult for plants, algae, and bacteria to thrive. Instead, the basin’s vivid colors come from mineral oxides—iron creating shades of pink, red, and orange, and sulfur and iron sulfates producing bright yellows. This basin is also home to Steamboat Geyser, the tallest active geyser in the world. Though its eruptions are infrequent, when it does erupt, it can shoot water nearly 380 feet into the air in a dramatic spectacle.

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Hotel：Yellowstone Country Inn; Dude & Roundup; Travelers Lodge; or similar

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Today, we’ll visit Jackson, a renowned cowboy town known for its rustic charm and nearby elk sanctuary. The centerpiece of the town is Jackson Town Square, where the striking Elk Antler Arches—crafted from 7,500 real antlers—create a truly impressive sight. Next, we’ll head to Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming. The park’s namesake peak, Grand Teton, rises to 4,199 meters (13,775 feet) and remains capped with ancient glaciers. After exploring the Tetons, we’ll continue our journey through Yellowstone National Park before returning to our hotel in West Yellowstone for the night.

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Itinerary:

West Yellowstone → Jackson Town → Jackson Town Square with Elk Antler Arches → Grand Teton National Park → Yellowstone National Park → West Yellowstone

Notes:

1. In the Yellowstone National Park, we will visit: Artist Point, Upper Falls, Hayden Valley, Mud Volcano, Fishing Bridge, West Thumb Geyser Basin and other scenic spots, please refer to the tour guide’s actual arrangements.

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Jackson Town Square with Elk Antler Arches

Jackson Town Square features four distinctive arches made from thousands of elk antlers, creating a truly unique landmark. It’s a remarkable place to explore, offering a memorable experience for every visitor.

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Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park, located in the Rocky Mountains of northwestern Wyoming, is renowned for its breathtaking mountain views and sparkling alpine lakes. The park is also home to a rich diversity of wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.

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Artist Point

Artist Point is one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in the Canyon Area of Yellowstone National Park. The canyon’s sheer walls plunge 700 feet to the river below, with the majestic Lower Falls visible upstream. Downstream, the canyon expands and deepens to a maximum depth of 1,540 feet. While the canyon walls are primarily yellow, they also display vibrant hues of blue, red, orange, and brown—colors that shift and intensify, especially after rainfall followed by bright sunshine.

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Hayden Valley

Located in the heart of Yellowstone National Park, this valley is one of the best spots for wildlife viewing. As you drive through the wide, scenic landscape, you’re likely to encounter herds of bison, scattered elk—and occasionally, entire herds—as well as the rare sighting of a grizzly bear. The Yellowstone River adds to the experience, attracting waterfowl such as ducks, Canada geese, and pelicans, either swimming or resting along its banks.

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Mud Volcano Area

The Mud Volcano violently erupted in the early 20th century, leaving behind a striking crater that remains visible today. Surrounding the site are several fascinating geothermal features, including the Mud Cauldron, Black Dragon’s Caldron, and Dragon’s Mouth Spring, each offering a unique glimpse into Yellowstone’s dynamic geothermal landscape.
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West Thumb Geyser Basin

The West Thumb Geyser Basin is located on the western edge of a large bay along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. This area lies within the West Thumb caldera, formed by a volcanic eruption approximately 174,000 years ago. The bay itself is a smaller caldera nested within the larger Yellowstone caldera, which later filled with water to form the bay seen today.

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Hotel：Yellowstone Country Inn; Dude & Roundup; Travelers Lodge; or similar
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In the western and southwestern regions of Yellowstone, the park is home to around 10,000 thermal features, including more than 500 geysers. Today, we will explore Norris Geyser Basin—the hottest and most dynamic thermal area in the park. As we venture through the basin, you’ll experience its vibrant rainbow colors, hissing steam vents, and distinctive sulfuric smells, all combining to create a truly unique Yellowstone experience. Following our visit, we will head back to Missoula.

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Itinerary: 

West Yellowstone → Yellowstone National Park → Missoula

Note: In the Yellowstone Park, we will head to visit Norris Geyser Basin, Upper Terraces, Mammoth Hot Springs, Roosevelt Arch and other attractions. Please refer to the tour guide for actual arrangements.
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Yellowstone Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin, named after one of Yellowstone’s early superintendents, is considered the hottest geyser basin in the park. The Porcelain Basin within it features a stark, almost otherworldly landscape shaped by its highly acidic environment, which makes it difficult for plants, algae, and bacteria to grow. Instead, the vivid colors seen throughout the basin come from mineral oxides—shades of pink, red, and orange from iron oxides, and yellow from sulfur and iron sulfates. Norris is also home to Steamboat Geyser, the tallest active geyser in the world. Though it often lies dormant for long periods, its eruptions can launch water nearly 380 feet into the air in a truly spectacular display.

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Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs, located in the northern region of Yellowstone National Park, is one of the park’s most unique and visually striking geothermal areas. Unlike the geyser basins, Mammoth is known for its cascading limestone terraces, formed by hot water rising through underground limestone and depositing calcium carbonate. The result is a stunning landscape of colorful, sculpted terraces in shades of white, orange, and brown. Constantly changing due to shifting underground water channels, the area features formations like Minerva Terrace and Canary Spring. The unusual beauty and dynamic nature of Mammoth Hot Springs make it a must-see destination in Yellowstone.
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Hotel：Sleep Inn Missoula; or similar
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Rise and shine! This morning, we’ll head to Spokane, the second-largest tourist destination in Washington State. Notably, Spokane hosted the 1974 World Expo, becoming the smallest city ever to do so. It was also the first Expo to focus on an environmental theme, marking the origin of World Environment Day. While in Spokane, we’ll visit the beautiful Manito Park—a local favorite known for its peaceful ambiance, charming rose gardens, small waterfalls, and inviting cafés. Afterward, we’ll make our way back to Seattle.

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Itinerary: 

Missoula → Spokane → Manito Park → Seattle
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Manito Park

Manito Park is a must-see destination in Spokane, located in the scenic South Hill neighborhood. Spanning 90 acres, this beloved public park attracts over 150,000 visitors annually with its beautifully maintained landscapes. It features five distinct gardens, a greenhouse conservatory, a tranquil duck pond, expansive lawns, playgrounds, and winding paths for walking and biking. With its impressive topiary shrubs, vibrant flower displays, and towering trees, Manito Park offers a peaceful and picturesque retreat in the heart of Spokane.

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