If you’ve ever tried to plan a national park trip and almost passed out from the hotel prices, welcome to the club. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are absolutely stunning—but the lodging options inside or near the parks? Not so budget friendly. That’s why we based ourselves in Idaho for this trip—and spoiler: I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Yes, it meant longer drives to the parks, but the views were beautiful, the mornings were peaceful, and the savings were totally worth it. Here’s how we pulled off a national park getaway without maxing out the travel fund.

Why We Stayed in Idaho

We found a cozy spot in Driggs, Idaho (Victor is another great option nearby), and saved hundreds, if not thousands, compared to staying in Jackson, WY or inside the parks. The trade-off? A scenic hour(ish)-long drive to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton. But honestly, the drive was part of the experience. Mornings meant mountain views, wildflowers, and coffee-fueled anticipation. Even the grocery stores in Idaho were more affordable—we stocked up on snacks, trail fuel, and lunch supplies before each park day.

Teton Creek Resort

2 bedroom, 2 bath condo with laundry and hot tub

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Cobble Creek Townhouse

3 bedroom, 2 bath townhome with laundry

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Mountain Modern Retreat

2 bedroom, 2 bath home with laundry

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If the savings on the accommodations isn’t enough to sell you on the location, check out the wildlife that was seen from these scenic drives. For us, this is all part of the experience in these 2 parks.

Our Yellowstone Game Plan

Yellowstone is huge. Like “you need multiple days if you want to see it all” huge. But if you’re short on time (or just don’t want to spend your whole trip in the car), you can hit the highlights in one solid day. This is another trip that I strongly advise using the GuideAlong app. Ranger Rick (that’s what we call him) is a wonderful tour guide and lets you know so much useful information about the park and some cool pull offs that won’t add too much time to your day.

Here’s what we focused on:

• Old Faithful – Classic for a reason. Check eruption times online and time your stop if short on time. Personally, I always enjoy browsing the ranger station, hotel, and gift shop so we tend to spend a few hours in the area.

*There is a short hike to an elevated viewing location. Not only is this a cool spot to watch Old Faithful erupt, but it gives a great overview of this basin. While we waited for Old Faithful, we saw 2 other geysers erupt!

• Grand Prismatic Spring – The colors are unreal. Get there early for fewer crowds but from experience, the better photos come in the afternoon as the temps rise- burning off the fog and the steam from the spring is less. This stop is always my favorite. The view never gets old. There is also a short hike to an elevated viewing location that is an absolute must here. The boardwalk stop is still a must, but for this iconic view, you’ll need to climb a bit.

• Yellowstone Falls + Artist Point – One of the most iconic views in the park. Jaw dropping magic. That is the easiest way to describe this whole area. There are numerous stops for you to see these falls- from right on top of them to off in the distance. I’d suggest seeing them all.

*Plan your route around the park’s loop system, pack your own food to avoid long concession lines, and always allow extra time—bison traffic jams are real.

Day 1 in Grand Teton National Park

Compared to Yellowstone, Grand Teton feels like the quiet little sister—with dramatic peaks and alpine lakes that’ll have your camera working overtime. You can do the main loop in a day, stopping at highlights like:

• Jenny Lake
• Snake River Overlook
• Schwabacher Landing

Our second day in the Tetons had one major focus: Delta Lake.

Delta Lake: A Hike That Excited Me… and Then Blew My Mind

This hike is not for beginners—but it is worth every single scramble.

The first half is along the popular Amphitheater Lake Trail, and it feels pretty standard. But after a while, you veer off into unmarked territory. There’s no signage. No maintained trail. Just word-of-mouth directions, rock cairns (when you’re lucky), and the occasional “are we sure this is the way?” moment. Even with All Trails in my back pocket, this was still a guessing game hike!

There are boulder fields. There are steep scrambles. At one point I used both hands and knees.

But then… you get there.

A surreal turquoise lake, tucked into a glacial bowl, completely quiet and untouched. It felt like something out of a movie. Delta Lake was the highlight of our trip—and if you’re up for the challenge, I highly recommend it. (Just do your research, bring plenty of water, and download an offline trail map before you go.)

Where to Eat (and Recover) After All That Hiking

We worked up an appetite every single day, and thankfully, there’s no shortage of great food—on both sides of the mountains.

• Jackson, WY – Trendy and a little boujee. If you’re splurging, this is the place. We had a delicious lunch at Roadhouse Brewing Co.

• Teton Village – Great après-hike vibes and solid food with a view. Bonus: gondola rides in summer!

• Victor & Driggs, ID – Underrated gems. Cheaper, cozier, and full of charm. Perfect for grabbing breakfast before the parks or dinner after a long day. *Bonus, pick a condo with a hot tub- you’ll need it.

Final Thoughts

If you’re dreaming of a Yellowstone and Grand Teton getaway but don’t want to spend a small fortune—Idaho is the secret weapon. Our long weekend was full of unforgettable moments, and we did it on our terms: scenic drives, epic hikes, good food, and no financial regret. With the temperatures rising down south, many of us are looking for an escape into the mountains and this trip will certainly check that box!

Next time someone tells you a national park trip has to cost a fortune, send them this blog. Then go book your flight, lace up your boots, and get ready to scramble your way to one of the most beautiful lakes you’ve ever seen.

Have you been to these parks? What was your favorite sight or activity?

Want to see more epic hikes? Check out my trip to Moab!

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