Bison, Geysers & Glaciers: A Family RV Adventure from Salt Lake City
There’s something about the open roads of the American West that stirs a sense of adventure. Our 16-day motorhome trip from Salt Lake City was exactly that — a journey through winding canyons, steaming geysers, towering peaks, and some of the wildest wildlife we’ve ever seen. With a solid road trip plan in place, and our RV ready to roll, we set off to explore the best of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Yellowstone National Park.
We began just south of Salt Lake at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, a perfect family warm-up for the nature immersion to come. Kids loved the penguin feedings, and we stocked up on snacks before hitting the highway. Early in our camper route planner, we penciled in some outdoor adrenaline — and the Lava Zipline Adventure in Idaho delivered! Not far from there, the Idaho Falls Zoo gave us a pleasant afternoon pause, complete with playful otters and curious snow leopards.
By now, we’d fully settled into our RV lifestyle. Driving a campervan through the valleys of Idaho and Wyoming felt like slipping into a slower rhythm, where every roadside turnout seemed to promise postcard views. When hunger hit, Stockman’s Restaurant in Idaho Falls offered big portions and friendly service — just the way we like it on the road.
Approaching Jackson Hole, the landscape transformed dramatically. We spent a couple of days here, using it as a base for Teton Mountain Bike Tours and a stop at the inspiring National Museum of Wildlife Art, where the sculpture trail overlooks the elk refuge. This stretch of the road was our first real encounter with the majestic Rockies — and we were hooked.
Crossing into Yellowstone, everything changed. We saw our first bison, steaming hot springs, and the kind of raw wilderness that kids only see in storybooks. The Old Faithful Visitor and Education Center gave context to the geysers, while the Fairy Falls Trail offered one of the most magical hikes we’ve ever taken as a family — manageable for kids, but absolutely stunning. The Upper Falls Viewpoint of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone was another standout — a reminder that this isn’t just a park, but a vast living geological wonder.
From the surreal colors of Mammoth Hot Springs to the thrill of spotting elk just feet from our campervan, Yellowstone was everything we’d hoped for. For anyone planning a motorhome trip through the USA, especially first-time RV travelers, this is a dream route.
Our route planner took us north into Montana, where the Montana Grizzly Encounter taught us about bear conservation up close. We learned that camper life also means giving wildlife space — an essential tip in RV road trip planning.
In Butte, Montana, the World Museum of Mining and Parker’s Restaurant gave us a taste of history and hearty fare. A highlight was Lewis and Clark Caverns — a perfect mix of geology, adventure, and cool temperatures. We scheduled this stop midday, giving us a break from driving and a chance to stretch our legs inside ancient limestone chambers.
The northernmost point of our journey brought us to Glacier National Park, where we tackled the breathtaking Going-to-the-Sun Road. Be sure to check seasonal closures when road trip planning — the route is often closed in early spring or late fall. Glacier’s towering peaks and alpine lakes made it feel like a different planet.
Winding our way south again, we stopped at Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center, where our kids learned about Indigenous history and westward expansion. We also booked a horseback ride with Centennial Outfitters — an unforgettable way to see the open Montana landscape.
On the return leg through Idaho, we explored atomic history at EBR-1, America’s first nuclear reactor turned museum. Then we soaked in the views at Shoshone Falls Park — often called the Niagara of the West.
Our final days brought us back to Salt Lake City, stopping at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve and the Natural History Museum of Utah, where the dinosaur exhibits thrilled our youngest traveler. Before dropping off the motorhome, we snuck in a little shopping and a good meal at City Creek Center.
And just like that, 16 days of scenic highways, wild encounters, and epic moments had flown by. If you're wondering how to plan a motorhome trip in the USA from Salt Lake City, the key is flexibility, a reliable camper route planner, and an appetite for the unexpected. Whether you travel in an RV, campervan, or fully equipped motorhome, the American West is waiting — wide, wild, and wonderful.
