WA - San Antonio TX 10d
Route: Seattle→Leavenworth→Wenatchee→Spokane→Whitefish Driving: ~6.5 hrs + stops
Day 1 · Seattle to Glacier Gateway
Highlight: Scenic US-2 across Cascades. Note: Fill gas in Wenatchee.
Seattle Start
Iconic market start, coffee at original Starbucks
Leavenworth
Bavarian village, quick pastry stop
Wenatchee
Lunch: apple-smoked brisket at McGlinn's Public House
Spokane Riverfront
Falls overlook, stretch break
Whitefish Base
Gateway to Glacier, overnight in mountain town
Day 2 · Glacier National Park
Highlight: Going-to-the-Sun Road. Note: Check road status, timed entry required.
Whitefish
Early start for Glacier sunrise
Lake McDonald
Crystal lake, morning reflections
Logan Pass
Continental Divide, Hidden Lake trailhead
St. Mary Lake
Iconic island view, east side gem
East Glacier
Blackfeet Nation edge, overnight base
Day 3 · Glacier to Yellowstone
Highlight: US-89 through Blackfeet & Paradise Valley. Note: Bison jams possible.
East Glacier
Depart east toward Yellowstone
Browning
Blackfeet heritage, quick cultural stop
Lewis & Clark Caverns
Limestone caves, underground tour
Livingston
Lunch: elk burger at Mark's In & Out
Gardiner Gateway
Yellowstone's north entrance, thermal town
Day 4 · Yellowstone North Loop
Highlight: Lamar Valley wolf watching. Note: Bring binoculars, dawn/dusk best.
Gardiner
Pre-dawn entry for wildlife
Mammoth Hot Springs
Travertine terraces, early light
Lamar Valley
America's Serengeti, wolf/bison herds
Grand Canyon Yellowstone
Lower Falls, most photographed view
Canyon Village
Central base for south loop tomorrow
Day 5 · Yellowstone South & Grand Teton
Highlight: Old Faithful to Teton sunset. Note: GTNP entry fee separate.
Canyon Village
South loop departure
Hayden Valley
Grizzly habitat, bison crossings
Old Faithful
Iconic geyser, boardwalk basin
West Thumb
Lake-edge geysers, Abyss Pool
Jackson Hole
Teton basecamp, cowboy town
Day 6 · Grand Teton Deep Dive
Highlight: Jenny Lake boat & Hidden Falls. Note: Shuttle boat saves 4mi hike.
Jackson
Sunrise drive to Teton dawn
Mormon Row
Classic barn shot, Teton backdrop
Jenny Lake
Boat shuttle to Hidden Falls trail
Signal Mountain
Snake River overlook, 360° views
Colter Bay
Jackson Lake shore, overnight
Day 7 · Teton to Rocky Mountain NP
Highlight: Flaming Gorge scenic bypass. Note: I-80 faster but US-191 prettier.
Colter Bay
Early departure over Teton Pass
Flaming Gorge
Red canyon walls, Green River
Vernal Dinosaur
1500+ bones in cliff wall
Steamboat Springs
Natural hot pools, mountain soak
Estes Park
Rocky Mountain gateway town
Day 8 · Rocky Mountain National Park
Highlight: Trail Ridge Road, highest paved in US. Note: Closed mid-Oct to Memorial Day.
Estes Park
Alpine start before crowds
Bear Lake
Nymph Lake loop, easy morning hike
Trail Ridge Summit
12,183ft, tundra ecosystem
Grand Lake
Colorado's largest natural lake
Denver Area
Front Range base, Coors brewery town
Day 9 · Colorado to Texas Panhandle
Highlight: Palo Duro Canyon, second largest US canyon. Note: Amarillo steak dinner.
Golden
Depart south on I-25 corridor
Raton Pass
CO/NM border, 7834ft elevation
Capulin Volcano
Extinct cinder cone, rim hike
Palo Duro Canyon
Red rock canyon, Texas Grand Canyon
Amarillo
Big Texan 72oz steak, Cadillac Ranch
Day 10 · Amarillo to San Antonio
Highlight: Texas Hill Country entry. Note: BBQ stop in Llano or Lockhart.
Amarillo
Early start for long south day
Caprock Canyons
Bison herd, red sandstone cliffs
Llano BBQ
Direct-heat brisket, Hill Country style
Fredericksburg
German heritage, wine country
San Antonio
Mission history, Riverwalk finale