The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone

When is the best time to visit Yellowstone? There isn’t one cut-and-dry answer to this.

I know one thing: this National Park and Glacier Bay National Park have to be on your couple’s bucket list!

According to US Travel and News, the best time to visit Yellowstone is late April-May and September-October.

While I can see why they say this, I don’t fully agree.

The best time to visit Yellowstone depends on the visitor and their expectations.

Yellowstone National Park is beautiful any time of year and has different attractions depending on the season.

No matter what, visiting America’s first National Park is a must!

It is already on many people’s lists, as Yellowstone welcomes almost 4 million visitors a year.

Yellowstone National Park is home to the world’s highest concentration of hydrothermal features!

These features make Yellowstone National Park such a unique location.

The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park depends on what you want from your Yellowstone trip.

Yellowstone National Park has four seasons, each with pros and cons.

Not all of the park is open year-round, which could significantly impact the best times to visit.

For this post, let’s explore the different aspects of the seasons in Yellowstone National Park.

We will explore the differences between Yellowstone’s summer, winter, spring, and fall seasons.

We will also look at the weather in Yellowstone, the crowds, the best time to see wildlife, and what you can see and do in the different seasons.

This should help you determine the best time to visit Yellowstone for your needs.

Thus helping you create your perfect Yellowstone itinerary.

At the end of each section, we will summarize all of the information for you and give you the pros and cons of each season.

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Yellowstone in Winter (November-March)

If you are planning to travel to Yellowstone in the winter, then be prepared for the coldest temperatures of the year in Yellowstone.

I’m talking freezing temperatures, for sure.

Average high temperatures in Yellowstone in the winter are under 32 F (0 C).

While in early January and February, it is not uncommon for average low temperatures to be around 0 F!

These cold temperatures mean very few crowds to deal with in the park.

When you combine that with the geysers steaming next to a beautiful snowbank, this time of year can be a photographer’s dream.

Logistics in Winter

Unlike Yosemite in December, Yellowstone only has small parts of the park open to visitors during winter.

The northeast and north gates are the only entrances open for cars.

That makes Mammoth Hot Springs one of the best places to stay if you travel by car during the winter.

The Mammoth Springs park headquarters and the Mammoth Campground are the only ones open year-round.

Visiting during the winter means that most of the accommodations in Yellowstone are closed.

The exceptions are the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins, which are open from mid-December until the end of February.

If you plan to visit Yellowstone National Park in the winter and stay at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, you can enter through the west, south, or north entrance by snow coach.

Many roads are closed except for some that are open for snowmobiles or snow coaches, making it difficult to get around the park.

Wildlife in Winter

The cold temperatures and heavy snowfall mean that most animals migrate to the park’s lower elevations in the wintertime.

They are often easy to spot at the park’s west and north entrances.

This is when you can often see the animals huddled up near the warmth of the geyser basins, especially the bison.

The wildlife seen during the winter months includes bison, wolves, elk (in northern areas), and bighorn sheep.

The road connecting Cooke City and the Northeast Entrance around Lamar Valley is open in the winter and is a great place to see wolves.

Things to do in Yellowstone in Winter

Despite the cold temperature, you will still find plenty to do in Yellowstone during winter.

Winter brings with it all of the winter sports. Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice climbing can be seen throughout the park. You can even go ice skating!

Of course, stargazing is great this time of year too.

As we said before, photographing Yellowstone covered in snow makes winter a magical time to visit.

Pros & Cons of Yellowstone in Winter

Pros

• Fewer crowds (less than 3% of the annual visitation during this period)
• Fun winter activities like cross-country skiing
• Incredible opportunity for photography
• The wildlife is out, especially at the lower elevations (and the wolves).

Cons

• It’s COLD!
• Most roads are closed due to snowfall
• Most lodges, accommodations, and facilities are closed
• Getting around the park can be challenging if you can do it at all
• The bears are in hibernation

Yellowstone in Spring (April-May)

Spring in Yellowstone brings the emergence of wildflowers and bison calves.

It also brings a little more unpredictable weather and snowmelt.

This means visitors need to be prepared for the mud and the rain.

The crowds are still thin in spring, making Yellowstone National Park attractions easily accessible.

Honestly, a lot of change happened in Yellowstone during these two months.

If you come at the end of May, all the roads and the lodges in Yellowstone are open, a sharp contrast to the beginning of April.

Logistics in Spring

As we mentioned above, if you visit Yellowstone in the spring, you can expect a different experience depending on the month you visit.

While all Yellowstone accommodations are closed in March and April, a visit at the end of May will open all of Yellowstone’s lodging options.

The mammoth campground is also open during this time, and other campgrounds are beginning to open.

Visit Yellowstone in mid-April to find the west entrance opening.

The south entrance usually opens mid-May, while the east entrance opens in early May.

Most roads in the park open toward the end of May, making spring one of the best times to visit Yellowstone if you want smaller crowds yet access to the entire park.

This time to visit Yellowstone is considered the “shoulder season.”

Wildlife in Spring

The wildlife in Yellowstone National Park seems to come alive in the spring season.

Bison calves can be spotted throughout the park as they migrate with their herd back into the park.

Elk and elk calves are seen in the park this time of year, as are bear and bear cubs.

This is a great time of year to see the bears as they emerge from their winter hibernation period.

Things to do in Yellowstone in Spring

With the parks and roads opening in the spring months, the park becomes a recreational playground.

This is a great time to visit Yellowstone if you enjoy cycling. There are fewer crowds in the park, so there are fewer cars to worry about while you’re cycling.

Remember that the bears are out and very active, so be careful!

This is also a nice time to go hiking or walking or to enjoy the great scenery in Yellowstone!

Pros and Cons of Spring in Yellowstone

Pros

• The landscape comes alive with greenery and wildflowers.
• Baby animals are everywhere!
• There are fewer visitors than in the summer months.
• Roads, accommodations, and facilities begin to open.
• Bears are easily seen as they emerge from hibernation.

Cons

• The weather is unpredictable.
• The change in temperature makes it impossible to do winter activities yet not ready for summer activities.
• Roads, accommodations, and facilities are opening on a staggered schedule, so be cautious when booking.
• Bears are more prominent; be cautious!

Yellowstone in Summer (June-August)

If you visit Yellowstone National Park in the summer, you can experience all that Yellowstone offers.

Traveling to Yellowstone during the summer means the park is fully open and ready for business.

After Memorial Day, when the kids get out of school, the high season in the park begins.

With that comes loads of tourists (over 2.5 million visitors make their way to Yellowstone during these 3 months), higher prices, and more planning required for your trip.

This also means increased crowds at the major attractions like the Old Faithful geyser, the hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Summer weather is great, with temperatures averaging in the low 70s F during the day and 40s overnight. This makes it perfect for taking selfies in the sunshine to pair with our sunshine quotes for Instagram!

We visited Yellowstone in July and had fabulous weather. The day temperatures were in the low 70s, and the overnight temperatures were in the 40s.

It was a whirlwind summer for us. For a few months, we visited Chicago, San Francisco, Ruidoso, Yellowstone, and Boston!

This was perfect since we had no air conditioning at our lodge in Canyon Lodge.

Logistics in Summer

The summer months of June, July, and August mean that all of the park roads in Yellowstone are open (well unless there is road work). Visiting Yellowstone in the summer also guarantees that all of the accommodations are open.

Yellowstone National Park has fully reopened, which means that the crowds have increased, and there is a higher demand for accommodations.

Higher crowds mean visitors are vying for the same resources this season.

A trip in June means that there are loads of families present, so book way in advance if you want to visit in June, especially in mid-June.

Popular places in the park, such as Old Faithful Inn and Mammoth Hot Springs, book out as far as a year in advance. Keep this in mind when deciding when to visit Yellowstone National Park.

The farther in advance you can book your Yellowstone accommodations, the better.

The major attractions, such as the Old Faithful Geyser, the Grand Geyser, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and the major hot springs like the Grand Prismatic, draw large crowds from Memorial Day until the end of August.

These large crowds also mean that it is harder to find parking while visiting Yellowstone in the summer.

Wildlife in Summer

Travel to Yellowstone in the summer and have a great opportunity to see wildlife.

However, keep in mind that wildlife tends to migrate further north as the temperatures warm up, making them harder to spot.

We found that the bison and elk are still prevalent during summer. The bison seem to be everywhere in the park during the summer.

They are often seen by the side of the road and have been known to cause road closures by standing in the middle of the road.

Chances are, if you are in a traffic jam in Yellowstone, it is probably caused by a bison. We saw bison herds in Lamar Valley during our visit to Yellowstone in July.

Elk are also seen this time of year near the road and meadows, especially near Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley. The best time to see the elk is at dawn and dusk, as this is when they get out to feed.

Things to do in Yellowstone in Summer

Summer is the best time of year to enjoy all aspects of Yellowstone. The warm temperatures and the summer sunshine invite visitors to spot wildlife in the valleys before hiking all day.

Summer is also the best time to view the park’s amazing hydrothermal features. The warmer temperatures mean that the steam from the thermal pools is not as prominent, so you can truly see the pools’ colors.

The Grand Prismatic Spring is the perfect example of this. Although we visited in July, the evenings and mornings were still pretty cold.

Both of the times we visited the Grand Prismatic Spring, the vibrant colors were obscured by the steam from the hot water.

We even hiked up to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, but the steam covered the entire Spring, and we were not able to see all of the gorgeous color contrasts that you see in so many photographs.

My advice is to visit the Grand Prismatic Spring on a day when the sun is up and the temperature is nice and warm. Hopefully, you will see its gorgeous colors then.

The weather in Yellowstone in summer also allows visitors to enjoy swimming, rafting, sightseeing, and more. Anything you can think of doing in nature, you can do it in Yellowstone in the summertime.

Summer is also an incredible time to take in the amazing sunrises and sunsets in Yellowstone National Park. Catch a sunset at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to see all of its amazing colors come to life.

Catch the sunrise and see some animals in Lamar Valley for a real treat. The best time to visit Lamar Valley to see wildlife is at dawn and dusk, so you get a double treat: wildlife and a gorgeous view.

Pros & Cons of Yellowstone in Summer

Pros

• Wildlife is still out and about in the park.
• The weather is generally mild and enjoyable, with cool mornings and nice afternoons.
• The only road closures will be if there is construction.
• It’s a great time to see the colors of the hot springs, which are gorgeous during the day.
• Wildflowers color the meadows and hillsides.
• All accommodations are open, including Old Faithful Inn and the campgrounds.
• Get up early to enjoy Sunrises in the Grand Canyon, Lamar Valley, and Hayden Valley. This is also the best time to see some of the wildlife as the animals are out eating during this time of day.
• The summer season brings incredible sunsets to Yellowstone. This is also a great time to see wildlife, as the animals often eat at this time of day.
• There are many activities to participate in while on your trip.

Cons

• Crowds are high at the major attractions like the Old Faithful Geyser, the Grand Geyser, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and the major hot springs of Yellowstone.
• If you plan to visit during the summer season, you must plan well in advance, as accommodations fill up quickly, especially beginning in mid-June.
• There is so much to do during the day that it is easy to overplan. Be sure to allow time during the day to enjoy yourself at the park during your trip.

Yellowstone in Fall ( September-December)

Fall is one of the best times to visit Yellowstone to avoid the crowds while still having great weather. As most kids return to school in September, the fall season means fewer crowds visiting the park.

Unlike spring, autumn has more predictable weather and an abundance of wildlife sightings as animals start to prepare for winter.

The fall colors seem to invite photographers to capture their beauty. Combine the beautiful colors of September autumn leaves with the smoke from a Yellowstone geyser, and you have an amazing picture.

Logistics in Fall

The park begins preparing for winter during the fall. Road closures and the closure of Yellowstone’s facilities start in autumn.

By mid-September, most of the campgrounds in Yellowstone will be closed for the season, and the lodges will be soon to follow. The majority of the lodges in Yellowstone are closed by the end of October.

Road closures begin in mid-October, and by the first week of November, most roads will be closed for the season.

The park is officially preparing for the snow and more inclement winter weather.

Wildlife in Fall

As the colder temperatures start to move into Yellowstone, and the promise of snow lingers over the mountains, the wildlife begins to move back into the valleys in the autumn.

The elk in Yellowstone are rutting during the fall months of September and October, meaning you will hear their bugling sound all over the park.

During the rutting season, you will see male elk fighting and showing off to get the attention of a mate.

If you visit Yellowstone in the fall, this is a great opportunity to watch the elk during their rut.

The fall is also when the animals are out looking for food to fatten up before the winter. A trip to Yellowstone in the fall is a magical time to experience the wildlife.

Things to do in Yellowstone in the Fall

A fall trip to Yellowstone offers the opportunity to see the Old Faithful Geyser without all the crowds—or to see any of the Yellowstone attractions without all the people.

Visiting Yellowstone in the fall also allows visitors to enjoy hiking, cycling, and fishing.

The golden hours of fall also mean that you can take fabulous pictures of the park, sometimes catching an early snowfall!

This means a trip to Yellowstone in the fall allows you to enjoy all of the summer activities that the park has to offer without all of the people getting in your way.

Pros & Cons of Yellowstone in Fall

Pros

• September and October are rutting season for the elk in the park, which is awesome.
• The wildlife are out and about and look healthy from their summer feast.
• The changing of the colors in September, October, and November makes for awesome photos while visiting Yellowstone.
• The opening of school in September guarantees that there will be fewer crowds in the fall season.
• You might catch some early snow in the higher elevations.
• There are lots of activities to keep you busy all day.

Cons

• September and October bring the closing of roads and accommodations as the park prepares for the winter snow and weather.
• Plan early since the facilities start closing down during the fall season.
• Even visiting the park’s entrance towns is difficult as several closes for the season also.
• Visiting during the fall means unpredictable weather.

Final Thoughts On When to Visit Yellowstone

Again, I don’t know if there is one perfect time to visit Yellowstone. This fabulous national park has pros and cons.

Unfortunately, the weather does not allow all aspects of the park to be open year-round. This makes a difference and definitely affects my decision on when to visit Yellowstone.

No matter when you choose, visiting Yellowstone is definitely an experience like no other. It is also one of the best National Parks in the United States.

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