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We’re fast-forwarding to the way back on my cross-country trip with my best friend,
because I’m saving the best part (inconveniently placed right in the middle) for last.
This part of our trip took us through Wyoming,
home to two of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever seen:
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
A Glimpse of Yellowstone
We started the morning in Montana, driving south toward Yellowstone’s north entrance.
This was one of the longest days on our trip,
and to be honest, we barely scratched the surface of everything Yellowstone has to offer.
We only experienced a fraction of the park,
but honestly?
It was still worth it.
Even just the drive alone through Yellowstone was incredible,
the kind of views you can’t believe are real until you’re right there,
watching them unfold in front of you.
Grand Teton National Park, The Real Showstopper
And then…
We made it to Grand Teton.
I’ll let the photos speak for themselves,
but let me just say,
it felt like a postcard come to life.
We visited in the fall, so the plains around the mountains weren’t green and blooming like you see in most photos,
but somehow, it felt even more peaceful in a road trip type of way.
Quiet, crisp, and full of autumn colors.
Driving through Grand Teton felt like one big advertisement to come back.
And I’m telling you now, I’m sold.
Those mountains have me hooked.
A Sweet Stop in Jackson
After our scenic drive, we made a quick stop in Jackson,
where I grabbed ice cream at Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream.
I chose mint chocolate chip,
but to my surprise, it wasn’t green.
No food dye, no neon color, just fresh, white mint ice cream.
Something about that made the moment feel even more unique,
like it was made just for me on this spontaneous stop, since I love unique food experiences while traveling.
Where We Stayed (Because Jackson Was Way Too Expensive)
Originally, we planned to stay in Jackson overnight,
but as I searched for Airbnbs months before going, I couldn’t understand why it was so expensive.
That is… until I saw the Tetons for myself.
Let me tell you, the view alone makes the high price tag make sense.
If you can swing it, I’d definitely say it’s worth the experience.
But since we couldn’t justify the cost this time,
we drove a little further and stayed in Pinedale,
in the coziest cabin on a ranch.
Our host, Claire, had horses outside that kept us company,
making us feel like real Wyoming locals.
(Here’s the Airbnb link if you’re curious about staying there: click here)
Essentials for Long Scenic Drives
I learned something on this stretch of the trip that I wish I’d known sooner:
You need a good neck pillow.
After hours of being on the road, your neck and back will thank you.
Also to make sure I was going the right direction without taking my eyes off the road I used this phone mount for my car.
Final Thoughts
If I had to pick one song that captures how peaceful and calm Wyoming felt,
it would be:
“Mouth of a Flower” by Haley Heynderickx
It’s lighthearted, soft, and feels like a quiet road trip anthem.
Fittingly, we were actually on our way to see her perform in Denver right before this song was released,
which makes the memory even more special.
Wyoming felt quiet and empty in the best way.
Like we had the whole place to ourselves,
just us, the road, and the mountains.
And that’s something I’ll never forget.