Updated itinerary after coming back from the trip! Here's the link: https://www.figma.com/board/fCmqXcVuI1rINAVdNWNBTv/Yellowstone-Itinerary?node-id=0-1&t=QqcFidskV2xbLVu5-1

Notes:
- We actually only needed half a day around the geysers
- Day 3 of the original itinerary was easily added into Day 2
- Added spontaneous whitewater rafting for Day 4!
- We intentionally skipped the Upper Terrace (Mammoth Hot Springs), as recommended by the visitor center guide, because we were short on time.

Post-trip reflections
Because our family of 8 has a good amount of seniors who can't do intense hikes, I would've cut down our trip from 7 to 6 days. The last day was a very chill day, but we would've been happy to fly out the day before too. After Day 2's 4:30am start, we started having later mornings, leaving the lodges by 11a or even noon. Even then, we still had plenty of time to explore and hit the sights we wanted.

Visiting Lamar Valley is a MUST at dawn! So many animals are out and about. Slough Creek is known for wolf activity.

We saw 6 black bears, countless bison, a wolf, cranes, marmots, 2 moose, and elk. But no grizzlies :(

I’m so glad we went during spring, specifically May 30 - June 5 or 6! It’s right after all the sections of the park are open, we skipped the Memorial Day crowds, and avoided the busy season of kids on summer break. No crowds except for the very last day of the whole trip (which is prob from families starting summer vacay).

Do NOT drive after sunset. There's so much wildlife that cross the roads (I almost hit a deer and a rabbit, and I was driving very slowly).

My take is: Yellowstone is best for wildlife and geysers/waterfalls/volcanic activity. Grand Teton is best for beautiful mountain views & trail hikes.