Yellowstone National Park is one of America’s true treasures. It’s an incredible landmark, full of wildlife, gorgeous views, and plenty to do. It’s no surprise that it’s among the top visited national parks in the country. But you might be wondering about the best times to go check it out. In this video, we’re taking a look at the various seasons and months, and going over the reasons to (and not to) visit then. So stay tuned, as Viewcation presents: Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park (Month by Month)
June Through August
It probably won’t come as too much of a surprise that the summer months of June, July, and August are by far the most popular. Of the 4 million visitors that Yellowstone gets every year, about 2.5 million of them visit during this period. Of course, plenty of that has to do with families visiting while the kids are on summer break, so there is a scheduling component to it. But perhaps more important is the fact that the summer months are really when you can get the most out of the park.
The first thing to remember is that summer is going to be the busiest time, so expect there to be a lot of people milling about, staying in the accommodations, etc. But, as opposed to some other popular national parks, Yellowstone is so vast, that even in the crowded months, you can still find plenty of space to be away from the crowds
The weather during the summer months is pretty up and down. But during most of the early afternoon and into the evening, it’s basically perfect. The temps sit in the low to mid 70’s, and are ideal for hiking, outdoor activities, and on and on. But don’t be fooled by the temperate climate during the day. At night it’s still gonna get down to nearly freezing. So you’ll have to bring super warm clothes with you, even in the hottest months. This is especially true if you’re camping in some of the higher elevations in the park. The summer months are generally pretty dry, though you should also expect some sudden (and often intense) rain storms. But fortunately, these tend to go away pretty quickly, and things dry up fairly fast as well.
Because of the weather (and the crowds) the park’s roads are all fully open, so you’ll have free rein of the park in terms of getting around. The only caveat is that since the weather is ideal, it’s often when road repairs and work on the roadsides happen. So there is the potential for roads to be closed off at certain places. Just keep an eye out for that as you drive around. As far as accommodations, the good news is that everything should be open during your visit. (Some spots only open towards the back end of June, but beyond that, you should be ok.) The bad news is that you’ll need to plan ahead. If you’re heading to Yellowstone in the summer, you basically need to book out accommodations a year in advance. It might sound crazy, but that’s how popular these places are!
Summer is a great time to check out the wildlife in the park, which includes almost 70 types of mammals, and tons of other incredible species. It’s a top spot for lovers of nature and wildlife viewing, and the summer is the best time of year for it. Though there is the one drawback that the animals often head towards the higher elevations in the summer, so they are a little less likely to be down near the roads. You’ll want to bring some binoculars to make sure you catch glimpses of all the creatures you’re looking for! Bison roam the park, so you’ll definitely see those, as well as elk, deer, and occasionally bears. As such, always bring bear spray with you if you’re gonna hike. Speaking of which, the summer is the best time to do all the outdoor activities that Yellowstone offers, like hiking, rafting, camping, and more.
September to October
The fall months are another fantastic time to visit the park. That’s because the weather is still pretty great, and the crowds have started to drastically thin out. So while it never feels super crowded in the summer months, in the fall it feels even less populated. The park’s foliage begins to change color during September and October, making it a gorgeous panorama of a wide array of fall colors. The one tricky thing about the fall, especially if you decide to visit towards the end of it, is that the season only basically lasts for those two months. It turns into winter fairly abruptly. And often there are early signs of it during fall, like drastically fluctuating weather. The daytime alone can see temps that go from the 20’s to the mid 60’s. So you’ll need to bring clothes for any temperature, and be ready to quickly take them on and off accordingly. And of course the days themselves are shorter, as we head towards winter.
The fall months are also the time when the park begins to shut down some of the roads and facilities. It’s a gradual process, but by the end of October it’s pretty much complete. So the later you visit, the more closed off some areas will be, and the fewer spots you’ll be able to check out in terms of facilities. That also includes many of the hotels and lodging spots in the park. You might have to venture outwards to find your accommodations for a fall visit. Fortunately there are nearby towns with hotels that stay open year round. But you are less likely to find a place to stay inside the park come fall. The same is true for the campgrounds, which often close up by the end of September.
Fall is a fantastic time to check out the wildlife, as many of them descend from higher elevations as it gets colder. You’ll be able to see more of them down by the roads, and you’ll hear them a lot more too. This includes what’s known as elk rutting, when males try to attract females with loud bugling sounds.
You’ll also be able to get a lot of great sightseeing in during the fall, as long as the roads are open. Plus it’s perfect for fishing, biking, and hiking, since you don’t have as many people around, and it’s never super hot outside.
November to March
This might seem like a lot of months to lump together, but that’s how long the winter lasts in Yellowstone. It’s probably the least likely time you’ll want to visit, but at the same time it’s not without its charm. The weather is unsurprisingly cold in the winter months, and it generally has an average of under 32, aka it’s basically always freezing. This is even more intense during January and February, when it tends to average around 0 degrees. So if you do visit then, you’ll want to pack accordingly to avoid frostbite and general misery.
There is a ton of snow in the area, which gives it a gorgeous white sheen, and makes a fairly quiet park even more peaceful and quiet.
The snow means that much of the park is closed off, including many of the roadways. There are only two entrances – the north and northeast – that are even accessible to visitors in cars. This north side of the park will be the best place for a winter visit. It’s where Mammoth Hot Springs is, and is a popular area for fans of winter activities. There are two hotels inside the park that stay open in winter – Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins, as well as Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins. So technically you can stay in the park. But there are also a ton of great local towns to stay in, so you have options.
So while there are certainly some drawbacks to visiting in winter, there are also some seriously great parts. For starters, it’s when the animals will be at the lowest elevations, so you’re gonna see a lot of wildlife. This is especially true if you head to the geysers and hot springs. Bison, wolves, bighorn sheep, and elk, are among the many species you’ll catch many glimpses of, as they search for food, migrate, and rut. And of course the area is fantastic for fans of winter sports like snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling.
April to May
The spring is a mixed bag, because on the one hand, the park begins to thaw out, and the weather is much more agreeable than the dead of winter. However, it’s still doesn’t reach those temperate levels of the summer. During the day it can be anywhere from 30 degrees to 60 degrees, and the nights are still incredibly cold. Towards the beginning of the spring, the roads and accommodations are still fairly closed, but by the end of April, the park starts to open up. Plus most of the crowds don’t arrive until the summer months. So if you head there in the back half of May, you’ll get a lot of he perks of summer, without the major crowds around.
Accommodations are weirdly even harder in the spring than during the winter. Literally none of the stops in the park itself are open. So you’ll need to book a place to stay in a nearby town. However, Mammoth Campground does open up in spring, so you do have that option if you’re looking to camp in the park.
Spring is another great time for checking out the wildlife, and especially if you’re hoping to see baby animals. Bears finish up their hibernation and come out with their cubs in tow, and the bison all head back to the park from their winter elsewhere. And you’ll be able to start doing more outdoor activities like hiking, biking, etc., especially on the warmer days.
Now it’s time to hear from you. Have you ever been to Yellowstone? What month did you visit? Let us know in the comments section below!