The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park – The Ultimate Guide
WONDERING WHEN THE BEST TIME TO VISIT YELLOWSTONE IS?
We’ve got all the details you need! We love Yellowstone National Park and visit it often. We have spent time in the park during different seasons, and each time we go, we have such a different experience — the crowd level changes, as well as the animals we see and the weather.
Yellowstone is one of those places where it is good to do your research to determine the best time to visit because it can have such a big impact on your experience visiting the park.
Each time of the year has its pros and cons to visiting, and depending on who you ask, he or she may answer with a different best time to go to Yellowstone.
Pulling from our experience, we’ve created a guide detailing what to expect in the park during each season of the year. The guide includes helpful tips and details to help you best enjoy Yellowstone National Park, no matter what time of year you visit.
Best Time to Go to Yellowstone
We would argue the best time to go to Yellowstone National Park is in May and after Labor Day in September through the first couple of months in October.
These times make it more difficult to visit if you have kids in school however during this time, the crowds will be fewer, and you will have a good chance of having good weather.
However, if you can’t visit during these time periods, don’t let that stop you from visiting Yellowstone National Park. Here is what you need to know about visiting Yellowstone throughout the year.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone – Spring
During the spring months, usually considered to be mid-March through mid-June, the best months to visit Yellowstone are late April through May. The weather will be starting to warm up, so you’ll get to enjoy most of what the park has to offer without the large summer crowds which start in June.
Towards the end of April, most of the seasonal closures will be ending and everything will be gearing up for the busy summer season. If you are visiting in March and early April, there will be some winter travel restrictions that only allow over-snow vehicles like snowmobiles.
Typically, most of the major park roads are open by April 15. West Entrance to Madison Junction, Mammoth Hot Springs to the Old Faithful Geyser, and Norris to Canyon Village are typically open for regular vehicle traffic around this time.
The less-traveled roads open starting May 6th through May 27th. All roads are open typically by the end of May. You can check the Park Road Status here. The visitor’s centers and park services start opening at the beginning of May. The West Entrance near West Yellowstone opens in late Spring.
These months are also a great time to see wildlife. It is a good time to see the bison calves, bears, wolves, moose, and elk. Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are the best places in the park to spot wildlife this time of year.
Spring Weather in Yellowstone
Visiting in the early spring is difficult because of the weather conditions. The weather can be cold and snowy. Also, as the snow starts to melt, there is a lot of mud from snow melts on the trails, campgrounds, and roads. This mud can also cause mudslides that block the road.
Weather in the spring in Yellowstone Park is unpredictable so it is a good idea to be prepared and have some flexibility in your travel agenda. Weather temperatures can fluctuate quite a bit in the Spring, so it is a good idea to be prepared with lots of layers of clothing and waterproof jackets and shoes.
Daytime temperatures average from about 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros of Visiting in the Spring
✅ It is a great time for wildlife sightings, including baby animals.
✅ There are a smaller number of visitors.
✅ Beautiful wildflowers like glacier lilies and larkspur are found in the meadows.
✅ The views transform into beautiful green landscapes.
✅ Most roads and park services are open in May.
✅ Waterfalls and rivers have a heavy water flow because of snowmelt.
Cons of Visiting in the Spring
❌ Visitors Centers and park services are closed until March.
❌ The West Entrance doesn’t open until late Spring and the South Entrance opens in towards the middle of May.
❌ There is still snow in the park but there may not be enough for winter activities.
❌ Lodging within the park isn’t open yet.
❌ Unpredictable weather can bring snow and freezing temperatures.
Activities to Do in the Spring
There will still be quite a bit of snow in the early Spring in Yellowstone National Park during early to mid-Spring. Because of this, it is a great time to enjoy winter activities like snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the Mammoth Hot Springs area.
As spring progresses, more and more will be open. In May, most of the roads will be open so you can enjoy the hikes, geysers, and hot pots off Grand Loop Road. It is also a great time to ride bikes in the park because there are fewer cars on the road.
Spring is argued to be the best time to see wildlife in Yellowstone. Bears are coming out of hibernation and there are lots of newborn animals to see. The bison are also migrating back into Yellowstone so it’s a perfect time to see the baby bison calves.
There are awesome tours taking you through the most iconic parts of the Lower Loop in Yellowstone. Guided tours through Yellowstone are so nice because you don’t have to worry about parking – you are just along for the adventure.
The tour includes lunch as well as a knowledgeable guide, binoculars, and a spotting scope. This tour runs from April through early November.
Check Prices on Guided Yellowstone Tours Here!
Where to Stay in Yellowstone in the Spring
A lot of the lodging inside the park begins to open in late April as well as a few of the campgrounds.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge usually open at the end of April. Mammoth Campground opens around April 30.
In the first and second week of May, a lot more options open up including the Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Lodge, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, and Madison Campground.
If you are wanting to stay inside the park, it would be best to plan your visit after these accommodations have started opening. You can follow the Lodge Opening dates here.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone – Summer
Without a doubt, the most popular time to go to Yellowstone is in the summer. The summer season is usually considered to run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
The weather is beautiful this time of year and school is out, making it easier for families to visit the national park. If you don’t mind sharing the road, parking lot, and hiking trail, summer is one of the best times to visit Yellowstone.
Summer is also a great time to visit because all the roads, accommodations, and park services are open. However, accommodations do fill up quickly because so many people visit Yellowstone National Park. It’s a good idea to secure reservations as early as possible if you are visiting during the summer months.
July is the most popular time to visit Yellowstone with just over one million people visiting in the month alone. If you want to visit during the summer, try to visit in early June or early September to visit while the kids are in school.
Not to discourage you from visiting during the summer but try to avoid the month of July or holiday summer weekends if you can. Our last visit to Yellowstone just happened to fall over Labor Day and the park was packed.
We had a difficult time finding parking and the traffic getting out of the park was terrible. Some days it took us over two hours just to get out of the park. It was frustrating and was not the Yellowstone experience we had during other visits.
Summer Weather in Yellowstone
Summer is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park if you are chasing good weather. During the day, the weather is very nice with highs in the 70s. However, overnight temperatures do dip down, sometimes into the 40s. If you are camping, you will need to be prepared with warm gear.
Pros of Visiting in the Summer
✅ There is great weather to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing.
✅ All hiking trails and roads in the park are open.
✅ Summer is a great time to see the wildlife in the park.
✅ Yellowstone lodging and park services like the visitors’ centers are open.
✅ The scenery is beautiful with wildflowers and vibrant, green hillsides.
✅ There are lots of fun activities and things to do in the park.
✅ Yellowstone has beautiful sunsets and sunrises throughout the park.
Cons of Visiting in the Summer
❌ This is the most popular time to visit which leads to full parking lots and traffic jams in the park.
❌ Accommodations in the summer fill up fast and need to be booked out up to 13 months in advance.
❌ This is the most expensive time of year to visit in terms of accommodations.
❌ Fire season in the West can cause poor air quality and low visibility.
Activities to Do in the Summer
Summer is the best time to go to Yellowstone for hiking and backpacking. The winter snow and spring mud is gone and there are not any road closures preventing you from getting to the trailheads. Despite the millions of people who visit Yellowstone in the summer, the trails are usually not too crowded.
A really fun activity to do in the summer is hiking in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This guided hiking tour will take you through one of my favorite parts of Yellowstone. It is such an amazing canyon with beautiful views and large waterfalls.
Check Prices on Guided Hiking Tours in Yellowstone Here!
It is also a great time to visit the elk up in Mammoth Hot Springs and look for bison in the lower valleys. We always see tons of wildlife visiting during the summer. The best time of day to see the wildlife during the summer months is at dawn and dusk. We always see the best wildlife as we are driving home after a day of exploring the park.
It is a popular time to visit Old Faithful and the nearby Visitor Center as well as the geysers in the area like Upper Geyser Basin and West Thumb Geyser Basin. Do keep in mind that the most popular attractions in the park will be very crowded.
Clear and warm days will show off the colors of the geothermal features in Yellowstone the best. Colder and cloudier days will not show off the colorful and vibrant colors found naturally in the features. If you can visit on the warmer days, the steam won’t block out a lot of the natural colors.
Summer activities are also open like guided trips on Yellowstone Lake and rafting. This two-hour rafting adventure starts at the beginning of May and runs through mid-September. This is a really fun activity to do in the summer and an activity that everyone will enjoy.
Check Prices on Yellowstone Rafting Adventures Here!
Where to Stay in Yellowstone in the Summer
Summer is considered the best time to visit Yellowstone, so accommodations inside Yellowstone fill up very quickly. Lodging inside the park, like at the Yellowstone Lodge, can book out 13 months ahead of time. If you want to camp, campground reservations open a year ahead of time.
Some of the most popular lodges in the park are the Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Lodge, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, and Grant Village Lodge.
By the beginning of June, all the campgrounds in the park are open. Some of the most popular campgrounds inside the park are Mammoth Campground, Bridge Bay Campground, Grant Village Campground, and Madison Campground.
If you have found that all the accommodations inside the park are full, West Yellowstone is a great place to stay. We have stayed in West Yellowstone a bunch of times and always really enjoy staying there. The only drawback is the drive in and out of the park.
In West Yellowstone, there are tons of accommodations options. There are hotels, private rentals, RV parks, and campgrounds.
Typically, the sooner you book accommodations, the closer they will be to the park and the less expensive they will be. The closest and least expensive options will book up first.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone – Fall
The beginning of Fall is personally my favorite time to visit Yellowstone National Park and what I would argue to be the best time to visit Yellowstone. The weather is still warm on most days, but the summer crowds have gone home. Accommodations also have a dip in prices compared to the busy summer months.
You can still enjoy visiting the geothermal features, hiking trails, and wildlife with fewer people. However, some facilities do begin to close for the winter season like visitors’ centers, stores, etc. Road closures usually start in the middle to the end of October. We visited at the end of September one year and did not have any problems with closures.
The animals usually look their best due to grazing all summer. The male elk, moose, and deer have their antlers on full display. The elk are also very active in bugling during the fall rutting season.
However, the fall season in Yellowstone is short. The time between when the summer crowds go home and the first snowfall can come quickly. If you are visiting in the fall, you will need to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions.
Fall Weather in Yellowstone National Park
The weather in the fall in Yellowstone National Park is not as unpredictable as the Spring weather but there are still some large varieties in temperature. Average temperatures range in the 60s with overnight lows in the 30s. The wind also tends to die down during the autumn season.
When we visited at the end of September and early October, we were in our t-shirts one day and then in our winter coats the next. It is a good idea to be prepared for all sorts of weather conditions.
The sun also starts to set later as the fall season starts. This means that the weather temperatures will drop down to colder temperatures sooner.
Pros of Visiting in the Fall
✅ The summer crowds have died down and the park is not as busy.
✅ Fall is a great time to photograph and park and capture the changing colors.
✅ Wildlife is full and healthy with male elk, moose, and deer displaying their antlers.
✅ Most of the activities and interest points in the park are still open.
Cons of Visiting in the Fall
❌ Roads can unexpectedly shut down due to snow. Most roads are closed by the first week of November.
❌ Weather can be unpredictable starting in mid-October.
❌ Some of the local businesses and accommodations begin to close for the winter season.
Activities to Do in the Fall
One of the best things to do in Yellowstone during the fall is to enjoy the changing foliage colors. The aspens are beautiful as they change colors.
Fall is a great time to see the wildlife in the valleys in Yellowstone. As the snow starts and the temperatures cool, lots of animals move down from the mountains to the valleys to prepare for winter. We saw a bighorn sheep walking along the side of the road when we visited in late September.
Another highlight of fall for wildlife viewing is the elk rutting. Male elk often fight each other and let out loud bugling to impress females as the mating season begins.
You can expect to do most of the sightseeing that you would do in the summer months if you visit before the roads start to close. Cooler temperatures during the day make it a great season to go hiking and biking. It is also a great time to go fishing.
Where to Stay in Yellowstone in the Fall
A lot of the Yellowstone accommodations and services begin to close in September, and most are closed by the end of October. The campgrounds in the park usually close around the third week of September. If you are visiting in October or later, you will more than likely need to stay outside of the park.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone – Winter
Winter in Yellowstone has lots of snow and freezing temperatures. Most of the amenities and park entrances are closed. The North Entrance is the only entrance open to vehicles and the only park facilities that are open are the park headquarters in Mammoth Hot Springs.
If you do visit the park in December, make sure to be prepared for the snowy driving conditions. It is a good idea to bring shovels, sleeping bags, snow tires, and jumper cables. However, if you’re up for some cold temperatures and have the needed gear, it is a really cool and unique time to visit Yellowstone National Park.
Make sure you bring great winter boots, a warm coat, thermal underwear, snow pants, winter gloves, and a warm hat.
Winter in Yellowstone National Park is very long and has rough weather conditions. Because of this, the winter sees the fewest visitors to the park.
There are two main areas in the park that are open in the winter. From the North Entrance, you can access the area from Mammoth Hot Springs to Lamar Valley. This is a great place for winter sports like snowshoeing, ice-climbing, and skiing.
The second area of the park that is open is Old Faithful however you cannot drive to it as you can around Mammoth Hot Springs. You can only access this area via a park-run snow coach or snowmobile. From Old Faithful, you can snowshoe, ski and snowmobile.
Pros of Visiting in the Winter
✅ There are very few people visiting during this time.
✅ Visiting during the winter months provides a very unique vacation.
✅ There are lots of fun winter activities to do in the park.
✅ Unique photography opportunities in the park.
Cons of Visiting in the Winter
❌ Almost everything in the park is closed including accommodations and roads.
❌ The weather is extremely cold and there is heavy snowfall.
❌ You will need to bring additional cold-weather clothing and gear.
❌ Traveling through the park is difficult and expensive.
Activities to Do in the Winter
If you are thinking of visiting Yellowstone during the winter months, winter sports will be most of what you will do in the park. The winter months are perfect for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and snowmobiling.
You can also drive through Mammoth Hot Springs over to Lamar Valley to see wildlife. Bison and wolves are the most common animals to see in the lower elevations during the winter.
Outside of the park, there are lots of fun things to do. Nearby there are great places for downhill skiing, dog sledding, sleigh riding, and sledding.
A really fun way to see the best of what Yellowstone has to offer during the winter months is a Winter Yellowstone Tour. You can snowshoe through the park if you’d like. This is a great opportunity to see visit Mammoth Hot Springs as well as Lamar Valley and look for bison, wolves, bighorn sheep, moose, and more.
Check Prices for a Winter Yellowstone Tour Here!
Where to Stay in Yellowstone in the Winter
If you want to stay in the park during the winter you can stay at either the Old Faithful Snow Lodge or Mammoth Hot Springs. The only campground open during the winter is Mammoth Campground.
Best time to visit Yellowstone for Wildlife
One of the biggest highlights of Yellowstone National Park is all the wildlife that calls the park home. There are 300 kinds of birds that live in the park and 67 kinds of mammals. There are also lots of different kinds of fish, amphibians, and reptiles.
You can easily see wildlife year-round at Yellowstone but what you see will vary depending on the time of year.
Spring and fall are the best time to see active wildlife in the park. In the spring, bears wake up from hibernation and animals start moving around looking for food after the snowy winter. This is also a great time to see the new baby animals.
Fall is a great time to see wildlife as they begin preparing for winter and mating season. You can expect to see bears, elk, and birds of prey.
Winter is the best time to see the wolves and bighorn sheep as they are driven out of the higher elevations in search of food.
During the summer months, you can expect to see lots of elk, bison, and moose.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone for Photography
Because of the wildlife and rich colors in the geothermal features, there is no bad time to take pictures in Yellowstone. The park has such amazing beauty and colors. However, if I had to pick one season, I would say the Fall.
The animals look their best after a summer of grazing and you can find them as they make their preparations for winter. Also in late September and the beginning of October you can take beautiful pictures of the fall foliage of the aspens around Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs.
Another really fun time to visit Yellowstone for photography if you are looking for unique pictures of Yellowstone is during the winter months. The snow contrasted with the geothermal features and steam is really fun to photograph.
During the summer months, you will have lots of people in your pictures because it is such a busy time in the park.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone for Hiking
The summer months and early fall are the best time to go hiking in Yellowstone. If you visit too early in the spring or later in the fall, you will find muddy and icy trails. The trails start to clear up towards the beginning of June.
This time of year also has the warmest weather and the sunniest days per month.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone for the Best Weather
The best time of year to visit Yellowstone National Park for great weather is without doubt the summer months. It is usually pretty sunny with temperatures in the 70s and 80s.
No matter when you visit, it is good to be prepared for warmer or colder temperatures. Yellowstone sits pretty high in elevation which brings unpredictable weather. Temperatures vary quite a bit throughout the days.
What is the warmest month in Yellowstone?
July is the warmest month in Yellowstone. The average high temperature during the day is 75 degrees Fahrenheit with a low around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best time to visit Yellowstone to avoid crowds
If you can, timing your trip to Yellowstone to avoid the crowds makes a world of difference. Crowds can make it hard to find parking spaces at popular features and traffic jams, especially getting in and out of the park. This can be frustrating and can have an impact on your time in the park.
The absolute best time to visit Yellowstone and have the park to yourself is during the winter however the weather during this time is hard for a lot of people. Unless you want to participate in a lot of winter activities like snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, or snowmobiling, you won’t want to visit during this time.
If you want to be able to enjoy everything Yellowstone has to offer with fewer crowds, the best times to visit Yellowstone National Park are in early May and early October.
When is peak season in Yellowstone?
The peak season in Yellowstone is over the summer months. Usually, around Memorial Day Weekend the crowds start to come and stay through Labor Day weekend. The crowds start to thin in September as school starts.
Tips for Avoiding the Crowds in Yellowstone
Sometimes you may not have the flexibility to plan your vacation to Yellowstone National Park outside of the busy summer months. If that is the case, there are some things you can do to avoid crowds. But keep in mind, that sometimes they cannot be avoided.
Get Off the Beaten Path: There are so many amazing things to do in Yellowstone besides the top 20 things to do there. There are thousands of geysers and hiking trails to choose from.
Enter the Park Early or Late: If you aren’t staying inside the park, the lines to get into the park from West Yellowstone can be very long. During our last visit, the line to get into the park was backed up well throughout downtown.
Instead of going into the park at 9 or 10 am. We went in after lunch. We didn’t have to wait in line and avoided the crowds and traffic jams getting into the park. You can also go in early to avoid the crowds. Going into the park early is a great time to see wildlife.
Go Hiking: You can enjoy the beautiful hiking trails around some of the most popular spots in the park to get great views of the features without the crowds. There is a great hike behind Old Faithful where you can watch it go off without being shoulder-to-shoulder down at the geyser. You can also hike the Fairy Falls Trail to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook.
More Yellowstone Resources
The Complete Guide: Yellowstone with Toddlers
21 Best Activities in Yellowstone National Park
17 Best RV Parks Close to Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park RV Length Restrictions
Conclusion: Best time to visit Yellowstone
We hope you have found this guide helpful in deciding the best time to visit Yellowstone. It is one of our favorite national parks to visit. Deciding the best time to go can have a big impact on your experience in the park.
If you have any questions about the best time to go to Yellowstone or what to do when you get there, feel free to reach out in the comments below or you can always find us on Instagram.
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