Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier are three of the most popular national parks in North America. For many Truck Campers, visiting all three is a bucket list adventure. We’ve visited all three at different times over the years, and combined our must-see spots into a trip the whole family will remember forever.
We’ve arranged our trip starting from the south in the Grand Tetons, where you can see jagged peaks reflected in crystal-clear mountain lakes. From there, we’ll visit the dazzling geothermal wonders of Yellowstone, where you’re almost guaranteed to see herds of bison and countless other wildlife. Finally, we’ll work our way north to the rugged beauty of Glacier, where grizzly bears still roam free through cedar forests—and where you can see glaciers, of course.
This part of the country shows off some of the most majestic landscapes on the continent. If you’re looking for the perfect summer Truck Camping trip through breathtaking national parks, this is it. So pack your hiking boots, grab a camera, and let’s hit the road.
Grand Teton National Park
About Grand Teton
Grand Teton officially became a national park in 1929, making it the 20th national park in the United States. And it’s not just the park that’s younger than Yellowstone; at 10 million years old, the Tetons are one of the youngest mountain ranges in North America. This park is the perfect place to see animals that tend to be hard to find, like moose, black bear, and even grizzlies.
Grand Teton is a paddler’s paradise, with gorgeous mountain lakes that reflect the jagged peaks of the Tetons above. Jenny Lake is the most popular, but there are lots of choices for time on the water, including Jackson Lake, Leigh Lake, and String Lake.
- Arrive and set up camp. If you’re lucky enough to score a campsite in the park, Grand Teton has several in-park options that offer stunning views and incredible access. But if you can’t get a campsite in the park, don’t worry. Jackson, WY, and Driggs, ID, both offer nearby camping and a taste of Western life.
- In the afternoon, drive some or all of the 42-mile Teton Park Road for some incredible views. Pull out at the scenic overlooks for views of the park. You might even spot some bears—”bear jams” that stop traffic are pretty common on this drive.
If you like, you can detour to Signal Mountain, Jenny Lake, or any of the hiking trails in the park. If you time it right, Signal Mountain is a great place to watch the sunset.
- Spend the morning on the water, arriving early for the calmest water and the lightest crowds. If you don’t have a boat, you can rent a kayak or canoe in the park. Paddle either Jenny Lake or String Lake for beautiful views of the mountains. If renting a motorboat is more your speed, Jackson Lake is large and still offers incredible views.
- In the afternoon, hike the Jenny Lake Trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. To get to the trailhead, choose between a 2.5-mile walk from the Jenny Lake parking area or a shuttle boat. For the return trip, you can either hike back or take the boat. The later in the day you go, the lighter the crowds will be—but if you’re planning to take the boat back, check the schedule so you know what time the last boat leaves.
More adventurous hikers might want to skip the morning on the water and opt for the hike to Cascade Canyon, a 10-mile hike into the Tetons.
- No trip to Grand Teton is complete without a trip to the town of Jackson. This small town offers an accessible blend of upscale chic and Western cowboy. Grab a bite to eat and wander the streets to get a good look at the antler archways’. Or visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art.
- Watch the sunrise at Oxbow Bend, Mormon Row, or Schwabacher Landing. You really can’t go wrong with any of these options. Mormon Row will give you iconic photos of old farmhouses with the Tetons in the background, while Oxbow Bend and Schwabacher Landing are all about the water.
- Once you’ve enjoyed the sunrise, pack up and head to Yellowstone. If you have time for a detour, stop at Yellowstone Lake on your way up—it’s a great place for a lunch picnic, with numerous pullouts where you can stop and eat with a great view of the water.
- If you’re staying outside the park, set up camp in West Yellowstone or Gardiner, MT. Yellowstone is a massive park, since you’re camping in a Truck Camper, you might want to change campsites every night to maximize your time. Wherever you stay, prepare for long drive days if you want to see it all.
Pro Tip: You might be able to stop at Midway Geyser Basin on your way up to Yellowstone, saving time later in the itinerary for a hike, bike ride, or park-operated tour. We take the photography tour and have a blast!
Other Grand Teton activities
- Leigh Lake: 1.8 miles round trip along String Lake and Leigh Lake. This hike is beautiful, flat, and great for all ages.
- Bike the Grand Teton Pathway: If you have a road bike or an e-bike, you’ll love the fully paved Grand Teton Pathway, which runs from Jackson up through the park.
Grand Teton NP campgrounds
- Gros Ventre: 45-foot length limit, dump station, some electric sites
- Signal Mountain and Lizard Creek: 30-foot limit, some electric at Signal Mountain
- Colter Bay Campground: 45-foot length limit, dump station, very few electric sites
- Colter Bay RV Park: No length limit, FHU sites
- Headwaters: 45-foot limit, mostly FHU
- Jenny Lake: Tent camping only
Yellowstone National Park
About Yellowstone
When we say that Yellowstone is huge, we aren’t kidding. It’s the second largest US national park outside of Alaska. (In case you’re curious, the largest is Death Valley.) With over two million acres, five entrances, and 250+ miles of roads, Yellowstone is a big place to explore in just a few days. And the already-long drive days can get even longer when herds of bison cram the roadways—though the up-close experience is so neat, most of us don’t mind.
With three days in Yellowstone, we’ve pulled out our top picks for the sites and experiences that will give you the best taste of what Yellowstone has to offer.
- Kick off with a Yellowstone classic by watching an eruption at Old Faithful. The historic Old Faithful Inn is worth a stop while you’re here; built in 1904, it’s now a National Historic Landmark. If you have some time before the geyser does its thing, don’t miss the walking trails nearby, which give you close-up views of bubbling geothermal pools.
- When the sun is higher in the sky, head to the vibrant technicolor display at Grand Prismatic Spring. A boardwalk takes you around the spring, or you can hike the Fairy Falls trail to the Grand Prismatic Overlook for a bird’s eye view.
- Stop at Upper Geyser Basin, Biscuit Basin, and Lower Geyser Basin for more boardwalk trails with close-up views of the park’s volcanic activity.
Other activities:
- Enjoy the walk to Lone Star Geyser, which erupts roughly every three hours. This would also make a great bike ride; bring lawn chairs if you want to kick your feet up while waiting for the geyser to erupt.
- The hike to Fairy Falls is well worth the effort; Fairy Falls is one of Yellowstone’s most spectacular waterfalls.
- We’ve got another early morning on the itinerary, but it’s worth it. If you can, get to Lamar Valley before dawn for your best chance to see wolves. They may be along the main road or near Slough Creek; just watch where the tour vans are going. Even if you don’t see the wolves, Lamar Valley also offers a chance to see bears, bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and just about any other animal that’s on your wildlife bingo card.
- Take a drive out to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Spend as much or as little time here as you like, and adjust your activity level based on your group. There are plenty of trails for hiking, or if you prefer, you can drive and pull off at lookout points. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in this beautiful place.
- In the evening, explore Hayden Valley, another wildlife hotspot. You don’t have to worry as much about timing here, as animals come through this area all day.
- Spend the morning at Mammoth Hot Springs, then drive to Gardiner and see the Roosevelt Arch, constructed in 1903 to mark the main entrance into the park at the time. Enjoy lunch in Mammoth or Gardiner.
- Then head to Norris Geyser Basin, one of the park’s hottest, oldest, and least predictable areas. But watch your step—most of the water here is above the boiling point!
Yellowstone NP campgrounds
Except where noted, all campgrounds provide bathhouses or pit toilets and a dump station but no in-site amenities.
Privately operated:
- Bridge Bay: 60-foot limit
- Canyon: 40-foot limit
- Fishing Bridge RV Park: 95-foot limit, offers FHU
- Grant Village: 50-foot limit
- Madison: 60-foot limit
Park-operated, no dump stations available:
- Indian Creek: 35-foot limit
- Lewis Lake: 25-foot limit
- Mammoth: 30-foot limit
- Norris: 50-foot limit
- Pebble Creek: Closed 2024, details not currently published
- Slough Creek: 30-foot limit
- Tower Fall: 30-foot limit
Glacier National Park
About Glacier
While Yellowstone is vast and unique, with wide plains and bubbling geothermal pools, Glacier has a different kind of magic. It’s a showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, and ice-blue mountain lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, hikers, backpackers, and climbers could explore this park for months on end. For the less adventurous, Glacier has you covered, with historic lodges and a stunning drive on the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.
- Make the drive north to Glacier. This drive will take you most of the day, so settle in and enjoy the journey. If you’re looking for a good place to stretch your legs and have lunch, Butte, MT, is a convenient halfway point with some fun things to see.
- If you’re staying outside the park, set up camp in Kalispell or Whitefish, MT. Remember your bug protection—the mosquitoes get thick in the evenings!
- Leave early for the scenic drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Get there early! The drive from West Glacier to Logan Pass offers the best views, but you can go all the way to Many Glacier to see the east side of the park.
- If you’d rather get out and explore outside your vehicle, turn around at Logan Pass and hike the Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake. This also saves you the hassle of trying to park at Logan Pass, which can fill up by 6 a.m. during peak season. If you do score a parking spot, hike to Hidden Lake Overlook or part of the Highline Trail.
- Activities will depend on what you most enjoy—there’s plenty of hiking, boating, and biking to satisfy everyone. Here are a few ideas:
- Hike Grinnell Glacier or Hidden Lake Overlook
- Spend a day on the water at Lake McDonald
- Cycle Going-to-the-Sun Road (not for the faint of heart!) or the McDonald Creek Bike Path (all ages/abilities)
- Cap off the day at the Glacier Park Lodge (built in 1912) or Lake McDonald Lodge (built in 1913) to soak up the ambience of some of the park’s most historic landmarks.
- Pack up for the trip home. Or, continue your explorations in the area. There are plenty of great spots to explore nearby, like Bozeman, MT, or Coeur d’Alene, ID. You can even venture up into Canada
Glacier NP campgrounds
Most campgrounds have water and dump stations available on site, but no electric or other in-site amenities. Any campgrounds not listed are for tent campers only.
- Apgar: 40-foot limit
- Avalanche: 26-foot limit
- Fish Creek: 35-foot limit
- Many Glacier: 35-foot limit
- St. Mary: 40-foot limit
- Two Medicine: 35-foot limit
- Rising Sun: 21-foot limit; first-come, first-served
Where to stay outside the park:
Getting an RV site in Glacier is nearly impossible, so most RVers stay in West Glacier as a jumping-off point to explore the park. The two most popular choices are West Glacier RV Park and the KOA, both just outside the park entrance. If you can’t get in there, don’t worry—there are plenty of options in Kalispell and Whitefish.
