Aug 11, 2028 to Aug 17, 2028
Essentials
- Destination: Yellowstone National Park, WY.
- Optimal Travel Dates: 2028-08-11 to 2028-08-17 (Active geothermal basin hikes, sunrise wildlife safaris in Lamar Valley, and rustic lodge dining.).
- Travel Party: 2 adults (4 dogs stay home with dedicated Rover care in Cudahy).
- Target Budget Range: $2,050 to $2,525 per person ($4,100 to $5,050 total party cost).
- Hotel Starting Point: Old Faithful Inn, 1 Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.
- Hotel Pet Policy: $0 hotel pet fee (dogs stay home in Cudahy).
- Home Pet Care (If Pets Stay Home): Rover.com Cudahy Pet Sitting Search estimates $130 to $170 per night ($780 to $1,020 total for 6 nights).
Day by Day
Day 1: Friday, Aug 11, 2028: Flight to Bozeman, Paradise Valley & Park Arrival
- 10:00 AM CDT to 2:30 PM MDT Flight to Bozeman & 4WD SUV Pickup
- 3:00 PM to 4:45 PM Paradise Valley Scenic Drive Mammoth Hot Springs
- 5:15 PM to 8:30 PM Lodge Check-In & Dinner Old Faithful Inn
Day 2: Saturday, Aug 12, 2028: Upper Geyser Basin & Grand Prismatic Spring
- 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM Lodge Breakfast Old Faithful Inn Dining Room
- 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM Upper Geyser Basin Boardwalk Walk Upper Geyser Basin
- 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Grand Prismatic Spring
- 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Dinner at Mammoth Hotel
Day 3: Sunday, Aug 13, 2028: Lamar Valley Dawn Wildlife Safari & Mammoth Terraces
- 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM Lamar Valley Dawn Wildlife Tour Lamar Valley Wildlife Corridor
- 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
- 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM Roosevelt Tower Fall Excursion Tower-Roosevelt area
- 3:45 PM to 7:30 PM Old West Dinner Cookout Old West Dinner Cookout
- 7:30 PM to 9:50 PM Drive Back to Old Faithful Inn
Day 4: Monday, Aug 14, 2028: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone & Hayden Valley
- 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM Grand Canyon Lower Falls Overlooks Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM Hayden Valley Bison Watch Hayden Valley
- 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Yellowstone Lake Promenade Yellowstone Lake
- 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Dinner at Lake Yellowstone Hotel Lake Hotel Dining Room
Day 5: Tuesday, Aug 15, 2028: Norris Geyser Basin & West Thumb Thermal Pools
- 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Norris Geyser Basin Exploration Norris Geyser Basin
- 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM West Thumb Geyser Basin West Thumb Geyser Basin
- 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM Old Faithful Sunset Dinner Obsidian Dining Room
Day 6: Wednesday, Aug 16, 2028: Grand Teton Foothills & Jenny Lake Excursion
- 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Drive South to Grand Teton National Park
- 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM Jenny Lake Scenic Boat Ride Jenny Lake
- 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Celebration Mountain Supper Old Faithful Inn Dining Room
Day 7: Thursday, Aug 17, 2028: North Entrance Checkout, Drive to Bozeman & Flight Home
- 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM Inn Checkout & Souvenir Morning Old Faithful Inn
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Drive to Bozeman Airport
- 1:30 PM MDT to 6:30 PM CDT Return Flight to Milwaukee
Costs
| Expense Category / Line Item | Provider / Venue | Exact Unit Price / Rate | Total Cost Range | Verified Booking / Info Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging (6 Nights) | Old Faithful Inn | $245 / night | $1,470 to $1,470 | Old Faithful Inn Booking |
| Flights & Rental 4WD SUV | Commercial Carrier & Hertz BZN | $600 to $850 flights + $420 to $540 SUV | $1,020 to $1,390 | Travel Logistics |
| National Park Vehicle Pass & Tours | Yellowstone National Park, WY Regional Highlights | $35 park pass + optic tour | $80 to $120 | Yellowstone Upper Geyser Basin & Old Faithful |
| Dining & Craft Beverages | Local Acclaimed Dining | $55 to $75 / person / day | $750 to $1,050 | Lamar Valley Wildlife Corridor |
| Home Pet Care (4 Dogs in Cudahy) | Rover.com Cudahy Pet Sitting Search | $130 to $170 / night | $780 to $1,020 | Rover Cudahy Pet Sitting |
| TOTAL (All-In Vacation Expenses for Party of 2) | Lodging + Transit + Activities + Dining + Rover Care | $2,050 to $2,525 / person | $4,100 to $5,050 total | Yellowstone Upper Geyser Basin & Old Faithful |