This year we spent Thanksgiving week doing something completely different: a road trip from Los Angeles to Yellowstone. We traded palm trees and traffic for desert canyons, snowy plains, the Black Hills, and the wild northern range of Yellowstone, where bison, elk, and wolves roam through steaming winter landscapes.
This was a true “see everything” kind of route. In just ten days we crossed California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, and Idaho. We ate dinner in Las Vegas, walked through red rock scenery that felt like Arizona, explored Salt Lake City, pulled over at historic landmarks in Wyoming, stood beneath Mount Rushmore, and wrapped up the trip with two full days driving Yellowstone’s only open road in late November.
Here’s the full recap of our Thanksgiving road trip, day by day, including the blog articles we wrote along the way.
Trip Overview: Los Angeles to Yellowstone Road Trip
Route: Los Angeles to St. George to Salt Lake City to Casper to Rapid City and Keystone to Gardiner to Yellowstone’s Northern Range to Paradise Valley to Idaho Falls to Las Vegas to Los Angeles
This itinerary was built around one important detail: in late November, most of Yellowstone closes to regular cars. The road between the North Entrance and the Northeast Entrance stays open, and the rest of the park transitions into snow season.
That shaped our trip and honestly made it even better. Fewer crowds, more wildlife, and a totally different Yellowstone vibe than the summer version.
Day 1: Los Angeles to St. George Utah with a Las Vegas Dinner Stop
We left Los Angeles in the afternoon and headed northeast, aiming for St. George by evening. The first day was about transition. The city faded, the desert opened up, and the road trip mindset kicked in somewhere between the Mojave and Nevada.
We stopped in Las Vegas for dinner, which ended up being the perfect break. After hours on the road, Vegas feels like a quick blast of energy before you roll back into quiet landscapes.
By the time we reached St. George, it was dark and calm, and the air felt noticeably cooler than Los Angeles.
Overnight: St. George, downtown or near Snow Canyon
Day 2: St. George to Salt Lake City with a Morning in Snow Canyon
We started the day with an optional walk in Snow Canyon State Park, and it ended up being one of the most memorable stops of the entire trip. Snow Canyon is the kind of place that feels like Arizona dropped into Utah. Red sandstone cliffs, lava rock, petrified dunes, and desert plants in every direction.
It is open year round, which makes it a great stop even in colder months.
After soaking in the red rock scenery, we drove north to Salt Lake City, arriving mid afternoon. The contrast of desert landscapes to a city with mountain views is part of what makes this route so fun.
That evening we explored downtown and the Sugar House area, found a cozy dinner spot, and enjoyed the feeling of being in a proper city again before heading into the long rural stretches ahead.
Blog post recap: Visiting Snow Canyon State Park in St. George Utah and why it feels like Arizona.
Blog post recap: A one evening guide to Salt Lake City.
Overnight: Salt Lake City
Day 3: Salt Lake City to Casper Wyoming with Independence Rock and Fossil Butte
This was one of our biggest scenery shift days. We headed east and crossed into Wyoming, following I 80 through wide open landscapes that feel like they go on forever.
Wyoming has a special kind of silence. The horizon is huge, the towns are spaced out, and the weather changes quickly.
We made time for a stretch at Independence Rock State Historic Site, a landmark on the Oregon Trail where travelers once carved their names into the stone. There is something grounding about stopping somewhere that people have been passing through for centuries.
We also visited Fossil Butte National Monument near Kemmerer, which is a seriously underrated stop if you love geology, fossils, or just weird and wonderful landscapes.
By evening, we rolled into Casper, tired but happy, and ready for a slower night.
Blog post recap: The best stops between Salt Lake City and Casper, including Independence Rock and Fossil Butte.
Overnight: Casper
Day 4: Casper to the Black Hills with Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse
We left Casper and drove toward South Dakota, watching the plains slowly give way to the forests and hills of the Black Hills. After several days of desert and wide open spaces, this part felt almost cozy.
We visited Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Crazy Horse Memorial, both of which are worth seeing at least once. Even if you have seen photos your whole life, standing there in person feels different. The scale is hard to capture until you are actually looking up at it.
We also had the option to drive the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, which is one of the best places in the region for bison and scenic drives, as long as the roads were open.
Blog post recap: Our Black Hills day, including Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park tips.
Overnight: Keystone or Rapid City
Day 5: Rapid City to Gardiner Montana, the Gateway to Yellowstone
This was our longest drive day and the one that required the most patience. We drove west through Billings and Livingston, and you can feel the landscape change again as you approach Montana.
The mountains start creeping back into the background and the air feels colder. By the time we reached Gardiner, we were officially in Yellowstone territory.
Even though we arrived in the evening, we still made time for a quick walk at Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces. In late November, the terraces look extra surreal with steam rising into cold air and snow dusting the landscape.
This was the moment where the trip started to feel like Yellowstone.
Blog post recap: The drive to Yellowstone and first impressions of Mammoth Hot Springs in late fall.
Overnight: Gardiner, Montana
Day 6: Yellowstone Northern Range Day 1, Wildlife at Dawn and a Hot Spring Soak
This was the day we planned for wildlife, and Yellowstone delivered.
We started before sunrise and drove Mammoth to Lamar Valley to Cooke City, which is one of the best wildlife routes in the park. In late November, this is the version of Yellowstone that people dream about. Quiet roads, frosty landscapes, and animals everywhere.
We expected bison and elk, and we saw them. We also kept an eye out for wolves and coyotes. Whether you spot wolves or not, just being in the Lamar Valley at dawn feels like being inside a nature documentary.
In the afternoon, we soaked at Yellowstone Hot Springs just north of Gardiner, which was the perfect warm reward after a cold wildlife drive.
Seasonal note: In late November, only the North Entrance to Northeast Entrance road is open to cars. The rest of the park is closed until the snowcoach season begins in mid December.
Blog post recap: Yellowstone Northern Range wildlife drive itinerary and tips for late November.
Blog post recap: Yellowstone Hot Springs near Gardiner, Montana.
Overnight: Gardiner
Day 7: Thanksgiving in Yellowstone and Paradise Valley with Chico Hot Springs
Thanksgiving day was calm and exactly what we wanted. We kept the morning flexible, with the option to do a second wildlife run or short hikes around Mammoth Terraces.
Then we drove to Paradise Valley for a soak and Thanksgiving dinner at Chico Hot Springs Resort. This ended up being one of the best holiday meals we have ever had, mostly because it felt both special and effortless.
There is something about sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner after spending the morning in snowy wilderness that makes you feel genuinely grateful.
If you are planning this itinerary, reserve ahead. Thanksgiving dinner at Chico is popular.
Blog post recap: Spending Thanksgiving in Yellowstone and Paradise Valley.
Blog post recap: Chico Hot Springs Resort guide and why it is worth the stop.
Overnight: Chico Hot Springs or Paradise Valley
Day 8: Paradise Valley to Idaho Falls
After a few cold Yellowstone days, this drive felt like a gentle exit. We took a scenic route option via Big Sky and Gallatin Canyon if conditions were clear, then headed toward Idaho Falls.
That evening we took a walk along the Snake River Greenbelt, which was a nice way to stretch our legs and slow down after the intensity of Yellowstone.
Idaho Falls makes an excellent overnight stop because it is easy, comfortable, and positioned well for long drives south.
Blog post recap: Paradise Valley scenery and the best things to do in Idaho Falls in one night.
Overnight: Idaho Falls
Day 9: Idaho Falls to Las Vegas
This was another long drive day, heading south through Salt Lake City toward Las Vegas. After several days of cold weather, arriving in Las Vegas felt like returning to warmth and neon.
We kept it flexible with the option to overnight in Vegas as a final warm stop. It gave us one last chance for a great dinner, a late night stroll, and the satisfying feeling of being on the home stretch.
Blog post recap: Winter road trip drive tips for Idaho to Nevada and the best places to stop along the way.
Overnight: Las Vegas
Day 10: Las Vegas to Los Angeles
We started the day with brunch in Las Vegas, then drove back to Los Angeles mid afternoon. The final drive always feels a little bittersweet. You are ready for your own bed, but you also do not want the trip to end.
When we pulled back into LA, it felt like we had been gone for much longer than ten days, in the best possible way.
Blog post recap: The final drive home and what we learned on this Thanksgiving road trip.
Our Favorite Stops from the Trip
Snow Canyon State Park near St. George for red rock and Arizona vibes
Independence Rock for Oregon Trail history and a perfect stretch break
The Black Hills for Mount Rushmore and the dramatic shift to forested landscapes
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces in cold weather with steam and snow
Lamar Valley at dawn for wildlife and winter Yellowstone magic
Chico Hot Springs for Thanksgiving dinner in Paradise Valley
What We Learned from a Thanksgiving Yellowstone Road Trip
Late November travel requires flexibility because weather changes fast
Yellowstone is incredible in the off season but you must plan around road closures
Starting wildlife drives at dawn is worth it even when it is freezing
Hot springs and warm meals are essential when you are traveling in winter
Some of the best road trip moments happen between the “big” destinations
Final Thoughts
This Thanksgiving road trip from Los Angeles to Yellowstone was one of our favorite trips we have ever done. It had everything: desert landscapes, city breaks, historic sites, iconic monuments, and a winter version of Yellowstone that felt wild and almost private.
If you are considering a Thanksgiving Yellowstone trip, this itinerary is proof that it can be done and it can be amazing. You just need warm layers, an early alarm, and a plan that works with the seasonal realities of the park.
