The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park

Are you thinking of taking a trip to Yellowstone, but are unsure of when to go? My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I can’t wait to help you decide when is the best time to visit Yellowstone for your upcoming vacation!

You’ll want to consider things like the weather, what’s open, and crowds when choosing the best time to visit Yellowstone. Here are my suggestions if you’re hoping to:

• Beat the crowds: mid-late May or September
• Travel during the summer: June
• See lots of wildlife: mid-late May or September
• Go backpacking: July or August
• Save money: May, September, or October
• Have a unique adventure: January or February

Each month in this park is unique and can give you a completely different experience.  Let’s talk through the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision on the best time to visit Yellowstone!

Average Monthly Temperatures in Yellowstone

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High (F)	28	34	39	49	60	70	79	78	68	56	39	30
Avg Low (F)	9	13	17	26	34	41	47	45	37	29	19	12
Avg Snow (“)	14	10	13	6	1	0.1	0	0	0.5	4	9	13
Avg Rain (“)	1.1	0.8	1.1	1.2	2	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.3	1	1	1

Winter in Yellowstone (November-March)

A visit to Yellowstone during the winter can be both enchanting and challenging, but anyone who has been to this snow-covered wonderland will tell you it is well worth the effort!

The only road that is open to vehicle traffic within the park during the winter is the road that connects Gardiner (North Entrance) to Cooke City (Northeast Entrance).  Otherwise, traveling through the park must be done via snowcoach, snowmobile, skiing, or snowshoeing!

If you’re looking for the perfect winter adventure, consider taking a snowmobile or snowcoach tour into the interior of the park to see Old Faithful in the snow.  Or head to the Lamar Valley and try your luck at spotting the elusive wolves that roam the area. More information about planning a winter trip to Yellowstone can be found here.

November in Yellowstone

November in Yellowstone marks the start of the winter season. You’ll start seeing temperatures that tend to stay in the 30s during the day, but it can easily creep down lower than that! Snow is common during November, and most roads in the park close down for the season.

I don’t recommend visiting the park in November. It’s a month of transition, and you won’t be able to complete any of the popular Autumn or Winter activities at this time.

What You Need to Know

• The road from Gardiner (North Entrance) to Cooke City (Northeast Entrance) stays open year-round. All other park roads close to vehicles at the beginning of November.
• Snowmobiles and Snowcoaches are not permitted to operate in November. The roads don’t open to oversnow travel until mid-December.
• All visitor centers are closed except for the Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs.
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Mammoth Campground at Mammoth Hot Springs.
• The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge are the only lodges that are open during the winter, but they are often closed during the month of November to prepare for the upcoming winter season.
• Skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities in the park. In November, you’ll be limited to groomed trails that can be accessed by road from Gardiner.
• Wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley is usually good this time of year, especially if you’re hoping to see wolves.
• The crowd levels are low.

December in Yellowstone

If you’re looking for a fun Christmas getaway, December in Yellowstone can be an enchanting experience. Temperatures typically drop below freezing, so be sure to bring your warmest winter gear and get ready for some holiday fun!

What You Need to Know

• The road from Gardiner (North Entrance) to Cooke City (Northeast Entrance) stays open year-round. All other park roads are closed to vehicles.
• Snowmobiles and Snowcoaches begin operating in mid-December. You can travel to the interior of the park to see Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at this time.
• All visitor centers are closed except for the Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs and The Old Faithful Visitor Center (open mid-December).
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Mammoth Campground at Mammoth Hot Springs.
• The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge are the only lodges that are open during the winter. You can drive to the Mammoth Hotel, but you must travel by snowcoach, skis, or snowmobiles to get to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
• Skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities, and warming huts are provided throughout the park.
• Wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley is usually good this time of year, especially if you’re hoping to see wolves.
• The gateway towns of Gardiner, West Yellowstone, and Cody often have Christmas events or special activities planned throughout the holiday season.
• The crowd levels are low.

January in Yellowstone

January is typically the snowiest month of the year in Yellowstone. Temperatures hover around freezing during the day, and the snow falls often. Get ready to see the beautiful Yellowstone landscape covered in sparkling snow.

I recommend spending time at Yellowstone in January if you’re looking for a unique adventure.

What You Need to Know

• The road from Gardiner (North Entrance) to Cooke City (Northeast Entrance) stays open year-round. All other park roads are closed to vehicles.
• Snowmobile and Snowcoach tours are in full swing. You can travel to the interior of the park to see Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at this time.
• All visitor centers are closed except for the Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs and the Old Faithful Visitor Center.
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Mammoth Campground at Mammoth Hot Springs.
• The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge are the only lodges that are open during the winter. You can drive to the Mammoth Hotel, but you must travel by snowcoach, skis, or snowmobiles to get to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
• Skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities, and warming huts are provided throughout the park.
• Wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley is usually good this time of year, especially if you’re hoping to see wolves.
• The crowd levels are low.

February in Yellowstone

February is the last full month for winter exploration in Yellowstone. If you’re wanting to take part in a fun oversnow activity, now’s the time to do it! Enjoy steamy geysers, frozen lakes and waterfalls, and wildlife sightings from the comfort of a snowcoach.

I recommend spending time at Yellowstone in February if you’re looking for a unique adventure.

What You Need to Know

• The road from Gardiner (North Entrance) to Cooke City (Northeast Entrance) stays open year-round. All other park roads are closed to vehicles.
• Snowmobile and Snowcoach tours are in full swing. You can travel to the interior of the park to see Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at this time.
• All visitor centers are closed except for the Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs and the Old Faithful Visitor Center.
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Mammoth Campground at Mammoth Hot Springs.
• The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge are the only lodges that are open during the winter. You can drive to the Mammoth Hotel, but you must travel by snowcoach, skis, or snowmobiles to get to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
• Skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities, and warming huts are provided throughout the park.
• Wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley is usually good this time of year, especially if you’re hoping to see wolves.
• The crowd levels are low.

March in Yellowstone

March in Yellowstone is a time of transition. Although winter conditions still exist through most of the park and snow is still common, the snowcoach tours and trails begin to close down so the roads can be plowed.

I don’t recommend visiting Yellowstone in March. Most activities and amenities are not available for most of the month.

What You Need to Know

• The road from Gardiner (North Entrance) to Cooke City (Northeast Entrance) stays open year-round. All other park roads are closed to vehicles.
• Snowmobile and Snowcoach tours only run until the middle of March at the latest.
• All visitor centers are closed except for the Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs.
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Mammoth Campground at Mammoth Hot Springs.
• The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge are the only lodges that are open during the winter, but they are often closed during the month of March to prepare for the upcoming summer season.
• Skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities. Warming huts are not available in March.
• Wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley is usually good this time of year, especially if you’re hoping to see wolves.
• The crowd levels are low.

Spring in Yellowstone (April-May)

Springtime is a time of transition in the park.  As the long winter starts to melt away, the animals begin to emerge, and the roads, campgrounds, and hotels begin to wake up and prepare for a busy summer season.

Crowding during the spring is low, mostly because not everything is open yet.  The roads are starting to open, but many areas of Yellowstone are still not accessible for most of the spring season.

April in Yellowstone

April in Yellowstone is considered spring, though I wouldn’t ditch your winter coat just yet! Temperatures start to creep into the upper 40s during the day, and things are starting to open in anticipation of warmer weather ahead. Snow is still common in April, and most park roads still aren’t open yet.

I don’t recommend a visit to Yellowstone in April. It’s a transition time in the park, and most activities are not available at this time.

What You Need to Know

• The road from Gardiner (North Entrance) to Cooke City (Northeast Entrance) stays open year-round. Other park roads begin to open this month, but not until mid-April at the earliest.
• All visitor centers are closed except for the Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs.
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Mammoth Campground at Mammoth Hot Springs.
• The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is the only lodge that is open during the Spring, but it is often closed during the month of April to prepare for the upcoming summer season.
• Wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley is usually good this time of year, especially if you’re hoping to see wolves, bears, or buffalo calves.
• No ranger programs are scheduled during the month of April.
• The crowd levels are low.

May in Yellowstone

Yellowstone in May is typically still chilly if it’s cloudy, but if the sun is out, it can be amazing! Snow is a possibility, but the roads and sights typically stay open from the middle of the month on. Most trails are ready to welcome all hikers who are looking for beautiful views, but be prepared for muddy conditions as the snow thaws!

I recommend spending time at Yellowstone in May if you’re looking for cheaper prices on hotels and activities or if you want to beat the crowds. It’s also a great time to visit if you want to see baby animals. I suggest visiting Yellowstone in mid-May or later — the beginning of May can be more hit and miss with weather and closures.

What You Need to Know

• By mid-May, all park roads should be open (weather permitting).
• Most park visitor centers are open by mid-late May.
• Several campgrounds begin to open at this time, though it’s still quite chilly at night.
• Most in-park lodges are open.
• Wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley is usually good this time of year, especially if you’re hoping to see baby buffalo, elk, pronghorn, and moose!
• Ranger-led programs are available, especially as it gets closer to Memorial Day weekend.
• Expect all kinds of weather — rainstorms are especially common at this time. Hiking trails will be muddy as the snow melts.
• The crowd levels are moderate.

Summer in Yellowstone (June-August)

The great thing about Yellowstone during the summer is that everything is open!  You’ll have unlimited lodging and dining options, plus access to all of the main points of interest, tours, programs, and visitor centers.

Your options are endless during the summer, but that comes with a price — crowds.  Be prepared to share the fantastic sights of Yellowstone with people from all over the world during the popular summer season.

June in Yellowstone

June in Yellowstone is characterized by warm weather and access to most of the park’s best hiking trails and viewpoints. The park lodges and campgrounds are running at full capacity by the middle of the month, and all roads are open.

I recommend spending time at Yellowstone in June if you need to travel during the summer but hope to find slightly smaller crowds.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open.
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds should be open by the middle of the month.
• All in-park lodges are open.
• Many ranger-led programs are available.
• Waterfalls are running at full flow. Some swimming areas may be closed due to high water levels.
• The crowd levels are high.

July in Yellowstone

The month of July is typically the busiest time in Yellowstone, so make sure you have a good plan for navigating the crowds and finding parking! Expect daytime temperatures to be in the high 70s with rain every once in a while.

I recommend spending time at Yellowstone in July if you are hoping to go backpacking in the park.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open.
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• All in-park lodges are open.
• Many ranger-led programs are available.
• Take advantage of the warmer nights by packing your tent and spending some time in the backcountry. It’s a great way to avoid all of the summer crowds and see a new part of the park!
• July is wildfire season in Yellowstone.  You may find air to be smoky from nearby fires, areas may be closed, or fire restrictions may be in place.
• The crowd levels are extremely high.

August in Yellowstone

August is another extremely busy month in Yellowstone, so make sure you have a good plan for finding parking and navigating through the crowds. Daytime temperatures are usually in the high 70s, but you’ll want to be aware that this is wildfire season. It’s not uncommon for the air to be smoky and the landscape views to be hazy.

I recommend spending time at Yellowstone in August if you are hoping to go backpacking in the park.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open.
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• All in-park lodges are open.
• Many ranger-led programs are available.
• Take advantage of the warmer nights by packing your tent and spending some time in the backcountry. It’s a great way to avoid all of the summer crowds and see a new part of the park!
• August is wildfire season in Yellowstone.  You may find air to be smoky from nearby fires, areas may be closed, or fire restrictions may be in place.
• The crowd levels are extremely high.

Autumn in Yellowstone (September-October)

A quiet solitude begins to fall over the Yellowstone landscape as the busy summer crowds start to die off.   A chill settles in as the animals and plants begin to prepare for winter…and it’s magical!

Autumn in Yellowstone is fabulous, especially after Labor Day weekend.  A few highlights of a trip during this season include fall colors, bugling elk, fantastic wildlife watching, and more elbow room to enjoy the sights.

September in Yellowstone

Yellowstone in September is ideal. The temperatures are still warm but comfortable, providing some of the best hiking weather you’ll find in this park. The summer crowds have gone, but most things in the park are still up and running. This is a wonderful time to be here!

I recommend spending time at Yellowstone in September if you’re looking for cheaper prices on hotels and activities or if you want to avoid the summer crowds. It’s also a great time to visit if you want to see wildlife.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open, but weather-related closures are possible.
• All visitor centers are open, but several may start closing down in mid-September.
• All campgrounds are open, but some begin to close around mid-September.
• All in-park lodges are open, but some begin to close around mid-September.
• Many ranger-led programs are available.
• The elk rut begins up at Mammoth! Wildlife viewing is good in the Lamar Valley at this time as well.
• Fall colors begin to show in the park’s higher elevations.
• The crowd levels are high, especially around Labor Day.

October in Yellowstone

It’s hard to know what you’ll get if you take your trip to Yellowstone in October! Sometimes the weather is mild and pleasant, but sometimes the snow comes and stays. Things start to close down in preparation for the cold, but the weather just may hold out for some fabulous sightseeing opportunities.

I recommend spending time at Yellowstone in October if you’re hoping for cheaper hotel rates and a quieter experience.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open, but weather-related closures are common.
• Most small visitor centers are closed by now, but some of the larger ones (Canyon, Old Faithful, Mammoth) are still open.
• Most campgrounds are closed by now. Madison, Lewis Lake, and Mammoth remain open through October.
• Several in-park lodges are open until mid-October. The Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hotel typically stay open longer.
• Ranger-led programs are typically not available.
• Bring your coat — snow happens!
• The elk rut is still happening in Mammoth until about mid-October. Wildlife viewing is good in the Lamar Valley at this time as well.
• Fall colors begin to show in the park’s lower elevations, and the snow starts to accumulate in the higher elevations.
• The crowd levels are moderate.

Now that you’ve learned about the best time to visit Yellowstone, you’re ready to make your dream trip a reality. Happy trails!

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