Yellowstone National Park is one of the busiest national parks, attracting millions of visitors each year with its iconic geysers and wildlife. As you plan your trip, you might wonder: when is the best time to visit?
This guide will help you find the best time to visit, with an overview of each season, plus tips on avoiding crowds. Keep reading to plan the perfect trip to Yellowstone!
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone?
The best time to visit Yellowstone is from May to October when all amenities and roads are open and the weather is warm. Most of the park is closed from November to April due to heavy snow and harshly cold temperatures.
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone to avoid crowds?
The best time to visit to Yellowstone to avoid crowds is in May, September, and early October. Crowds are fewer versus peak season, but most park roads, lodges, and amenities are open.
If you’re visiting during peak season (June-August), use these tips to avoid crowds:
- Visit on weekdays whenver possible. I like to plan my travel days for weekends and spend time in the park on weekdays
- Visit popular attractions in the early morning or late afternoon. Areas like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Norris Geyser Basin, and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone get crowded. Aim to arrive before 9 AM or after 4 PM.
- Explore off-the-beaten path. 90% of Yellowstone’s visitors never get more than half a mile from the road. To escape the crowds, hike some of Yellowstone’s best trails or visit areas like Tower-Roosevelt and Lamar Valley.
Get the Yellowstone Itinerary & Guidebook
The step-by-step itinerary and ultimate guidebook covers all the must-see geysers, hot springs, hikes, and sights. This 87-page guide is filled with detailed itineraries, insider tips, maps, regional overviews, and more for planning a stress-free trip to Yellowstone!
Visiting Yellowstone in the Spring
Visiting in Spring is remote as most visitor centers, park services, and lodging do not open until May. Winter travel restrictions are in place until April, only allowing over-snow vehicles like snowmobiles to travel throughout most of the park.
Roads start to open in late April with full access to the park by mid-May. Key road opening dates include:
- Open Year-Round: Mammoth to Northeast Entrance
- Opens Late April: West Entrance to Madison, Mammoth to Old Faithful, Norris to Canyon
- Opens Early May: East Entrance to Canyon, South Entrance to Old Faithful and Lake Village
- Opens Late May: Canyon to Tower-Roosevelt
Spring is an excellent time for skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. You’ll also have a great chance of spotting wildlife, like bison calves and bears in Lamar Valley and elk calves in Mammoth. Some trails in lower elevation areas like Mammoth Hot Springs may be open in spring.
Pros:
- Excellent time to see wildlife, particularly newborns and calves
- Fewer visitors, ~5% of peak summer crowds
Cons:
- Most park roads are closed until late April/early May
- Limited lodging and services
- Snowfall and cold temperatures continues through May
Visiting Yellowstone in the Summer
Summer is the most popular time to visit Yellowstone, with all lodging, roads, and amenities open by June. Visitor numbers peak in July, reaching over one million.
Despite the crowds, summer is the best time to explore Yellowstone’s geyser basins, hiking trails, and roads. Wildlife, including elk and bison, are abundant, and wildflowers bloom throughout the park.
Pros:
- All roads, lodges, and amenities are open
- Warm daytime temperatures, excellent for hiking and tourism
- Abundant wildlife and wildflowers throughout the park
Cons:
- Heavy crowds, ~35,000 visitors per day
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common
- Wildfires can affect air quality and visibility
- Lodging is in high demand, so you need to book far in advance
Read More: 22 Things to Do in Yellowstone in Summer
Visiting Yellowstone in the Fall
After Labor Day, crowds decrease, and the weather stays warm through September. Mid-September to early October is the ideal time to visit to avoid crowds, but still enjoy all the park has to offer.
Leaves change color, and cool mornings create mystical steam at geothermal features. Fall is also elk rutting season, especially in Mammoth Hot Springs, and prime time to see bison and moose in Hayden and Lamar Valleys.
Lodging begins to close for the season in September or early October. Park roads close on November 1, except the year-round stretch from Mammoth to the Northeast Entrance.
Pros:
- Excellent time to see wildlife, particularly elk rutting season
- Beautiful fall colors from September to early October
- Crowds decrease significantly after Labor Day
Cons:
- Park roads close on November 1
- Most park lodging closes in September or early October
- Weather is unpredictable, with possibility of early snowstorms
Visiting Yellowstone in the Winter
From November to April, Yellowstone transforms into a winter wonderland, offering a unique and serene experience with only around 1,000 visitors daily.
The only roads open to vehicles are between Mammoth and the Northeast Entrance. While the Old Faithful area is open, is it only accessible via snowmobile.
Pros:
- No crowds and ultimate solitude
- Unique, snow-covered landscapes
Cons:
- Subzero and single-digit temperatures
- Most lodges, roads, and amenities are closed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the busiest month in Yellowstone?
July is the busiest month in Yellowstone, with around one million monthly visitors. June and August aren’t far behind with heavy visitation as well. However, crowds tend to drop off after Labor Day in September.
When should you not visit Yellowstone?
The worst time to visit Yellowstone National Park is winter if you aren’t interested in winter sports. The park is difficult to access as most roads and lodges are closed. Temperatures remain below freezing for most of the winter season.
What is the best time of day to go to Yellowstone National Park?
The best time to go to Yellowstone is in the early morning, just after sunrise, or evening just before sunset. These “golden hours” create beautiful lighting, making the park incredibly photogenic. It’s also an excellent time for avoiding crowds at popular attractions.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Overall, the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is in the shoulder months: mid-May to early June or mid-September to early October. Park roads and lodges are open during these months, but crowds are fewer than in peak summer months.
Get the Yellowstone Itinerary & Guidebook
The step-by-step itinerary and ultimate guidebook covers all the must-see geysers, hot springs, hikes, and sights. This 87-page guide is filled with detailed itineraries, insider tips, maps, regional overviews, and more for planning a stress-free trip to Yellowstone!
Read these posts next:
- Itinerary: Yellowstone Itineraries for 1 to 5 Days
- Getting There: 8 Best Airports Near Yellowstone
- Hikes: 15 Best Hikes in Yellowstone
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