Lower Loop

If you are driving from Grand Teton Park, drive through the Rockefeller Memorial Parkway and through the South Entrance. We’ll describe the lower loop as if you are driving clockwise. Here are the highlights along the Lower Loop:

• Between the South Entrance and West Thumb
  Stop by Moose Falls, Lewis Lake, and if you have time, take a day trip out to Heart Lake.
• West Thumb to Old Faithful
  Drive over the Continental Divide twice! Take a day hike out to Shoshone Lake, the largest backcountry lake in the park. Ride a bike or hike out to Lone Star Geyser and then stop to check out Kepler Cascades.
• Old Faithful to Madison
  After seeing all the sites at Old Faithful, continue a little ways up the road to Black Sand Basin. Stop at Biscuit Basin and take a short hike out to Mystic Falls. Don’t miss the Grand Prismatic Spring at Midway Geyser BasinGreat Fountain Geyser. At Fountain Flat Drive, consider a hike out to Fairy Falls. Just before Madison Junction, make sure to drive the one-way Firehole Canyon Drive and check out Firehole Falls and a fun swimming area.
• Madison to the West Entrance
  If you want to exit the park at West Yellowstone, head west from Madison along the Madison River. There are a couple of good hiking trails along the way.
• Madison to Norris
  Follow the Gibbon River and stop to check out Gibbon Falls. Consider a short steep hike to Monument Geyser Basin and then check out the Artist Paint Pots. And once in Norris, make a little time to walk around Norris Geyser Basin.
• Norris to Mammoth Hot Springs
  Follow our Upper Loop Scenic Drive Guide.
• Norris to Canyon Village
  Take a side road to drive by Virginia Cascades and then consider a hike to Ice Lake.
• Canyon Village to Lake Village
  Visit the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and then make your way south along the Yellowstone River and through Hayden Valley. Make two quick stops at Mud VolcanoSuphur Caldron.
• Lake Village to the East Entrance
  From Lake Village you can exit the park at the East Entrance to head to Cody, Wyoming. Along the way, there are a few things to see at Fishing Bridge. Once you exit the park, take a look at our North Fork Highway things to see and do.
• Lake Village to West Thumb
  Enjoy some lake activities at Bridge Bay Marina. Hike or ride your bike to Natural Bridge and then drive along Yellowstone Lake’s shore until you reach West Thumb. Take a little time to stroll around West Thumb Geyser Basin.