Some of the most epic nature views are located in the Northwest region of the United States. My close friend Ashlie was living in Park City while pursuing her Master’s in Genetic Counseling at The University of Utah. She hosted Courtney and me on an incredible national park excursion for a long weekend. We had the best girls' trip, driving through four different states and exploring the most unique crevices of our planet earth. Photographed below - Ashlie, Courtney, and myself!

Courtney and I flew from SJC —> SLC on Thursday, October 12th and flew back early Monday. We spent the first night in Ashlie’s apartment and woke up bright and early the next morning, ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Mode of Transportation

We rented a black Jeep Wrangler, perfect for the long drives and windy roads that lay ahead of us. There are multiple car rental companies that allow for easy pick-up and drop-off at the SLC airport. Driving through the national parks, you will spend many hours in the car. Make sure you select a comfortable one! Shout out to our driver Ashlie, who handled the icy roads and countless hours of driving like a champ 💪🏼 The drive started from Utah → Idaho → Montana → Wyoming. We were in four states in the matter of a single day!

The motel

Given we were in a mountain town, we stayed at a cozy motel located in the national park outskirts of Montana. It was perfect for the two nights, with two queen beds and furnishings that reflected the region.

The Itinerary

Hot Springs

The first stop of Yellowstone included walking through several of the most famous cerulean pools. Although the sulfur smelled like rotten eggs, the beauty of the springs outweighed the scent. When visiting the park in mid-October, we witnessed the transition from fall to winter, with snow drizzling and the trees frosting. Make sure to wear an insulated coat, snow boots, and gloves as you’ll be spending plenty of time outdoors if your visit is during this time of the year.

There is a wooden path carved for visitors to stay on. Do not walk off these tailored platforms as people have been severely burned or injured due to contact with the hot springs. The natural preserves are for observing, not swimming! Be respectful and stay safe during your park visit.

The hot springs reflected a variety of vibrant colors. Witnessing these hot springs felt like I was viewing geology from outer space.

Grand Prismatic Spring

The rainbow geyser is the most unique and unearthly view I have ever witnessed. There are two spots to see the enormous hot spring. The first is an up-close lookout of the colorful hot spring via boardwalk.

The second viewpoint is accessed by a scenic 0.6-mile hike one-way, leading to a lookout point that will grant you a magnificent birds-eye view. This view was better than the close up in my personal opinion because I really saw the vastness and rich rainbow tones. You will walk through tall trees, made even more beautiful with fresh powdered snow. The hike is moderately inclined.

Fun facts - the Grand Prismatic Spring is deeper than a 10 story building and longer than a football field! I could have spent all day staring at this beauty.

Old Faithful Geyser

The Old Faithful is the most popular visitation site in the national park. The giant geyser has predictable and frequent eruptions, making it a great attraction for nature lovers. We didn’t wait long to see an eruption for ourselves!

Steamboat Point Picnic Area

We stumbled across many of the nature sites just by driving through the 3,472 square miles national park. It’s impossible to explore and drive through every inch, but we made stops for the views that we couldn’t resist. There are infinite heavenly views in this preserved haven.

Lower Falls of Yellowstone

This breathtaking viewpoint is straight out of a picture book. There is a parking lot that offers a quick walk to the cascading waterfall and mountain backdrop. Truly a sight to witness.

Crossing Bison

Yellowstone is home to diverse wildlife but is famously known for its bison. The bison tend to travel in herds and can unexpectedly cross into the roads and cause traffic. These animals are fascinating to look at!

Grand Teton National Park

After visiting Yellowstone National Park, we entered into the second park visit of our trip. Grand Teton neighbors Yellowstone and is located in Wyoming. Famous for its mountain ranges, you will want to include this in your itinerary. These views are not to be missed! The Tetons were especially magical as they were sprinkled with snow. It resembled a winter wonderland!

Snake River

This river spans multiple states and is 1,078 miles long. It is the largest river that empties into the Pacific Ocean. This viewpoint is stunning with the jagged alps on the horizon.

Mormon Row Historic District

This was the last stop of our adventurous national park trip. Settlers first arrived here from Idaho in the 1890s, establishing a community that is now known as Mormon Row.

As we drove out of Wyoming and back to Park City, I couldn’t help but reflect on all of the incredible nature I got to see, with some of my closest friends beside me. From rainbow geysers to erupting Old Faithful, I had never felt so connected to nature before in my entire life. For anyone seeking to disconnect from the fast pace of everyday life, these national parks are the perfect retreat. I cannot wait to go back and visit these picture-perfect sites again someday.