What Is the Best Time to Travel to Yellowstone?
Summer is the most popular time to travel to Yellowstone, but if you want to save money, plan your trip for the winter.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Whether you’re hoping to spot some wildlife, engage in some adventure sports, or just enjoy the view, it might be time to take a trip to Yellowstone National Park. Make sure you pick the right time of year for your trip though. The park offers a very different experience throughout the year. Summer is the most popular time to visit, but the winter is far cheaper.
Yellowstone is the world’s very first national park. It was established in 1872 for the “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People.” The diverse ecosystem and dazzling hydrothermal features found in Yellowstone are sights worth seeing.
Planning the perfect time for your Yellowstone visit is critical. To help you plan your perfect trip,
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The best times of year to travel to Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
is bursting with natural beauty all year-round. The summer months are full of life and wonderful weather, while spring and fall display some beautiful colors. Even the winter snows are a sight to see.When deciding on what time of year you’re going to visit Yellowstone, you’ll have to consider your priorities.
If comfortable conditions are important to you, stick to the peak season. However, if you don’t mind getting wet but want to avoid crowds, consider visiting Yellowstone during one of the shoulder seasons. If you’re itching for some exciting winter sports opportunities, the off-season might be for you!
Peak season: June to August
The good: Beautiful weather for outdoor activities
The bad: Lots of crowds
The weather: Low 60s to mid-70s
If you don’t mind the crowds, summer is usually considered the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park. From June through August the park enjoys gorgeous weather. This is the perfect time to hike through the woodlands and take in its many sights.
There are more than 10,000 fascinating hydrothermal features in Yellowstone, and they are all worth seeing on your summer hike! Watch
Old Faithful
, the park’s most famous hydrothermal feature, or visit the Mammoth Hot Springs
. Pro Tip Yellowstone is massive. You could spend years hiking its trails and still not see everything. Plan out your trip to ensure you get to see all the sights that you’re interested in.
Off-season: November to March
The good: Least crowded season, lowest prices for travel and lodging, great backcountry skiing
The bad: Bitter cold, heavy snow, road closers
The weather: Lots of snow with temperatures below freezing
The Yellowstone off-season is not for the faint of heart. The temperatures rarely rise about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and the trails can be all but impassible due to snow. Some roads are often closed because of snow and ice, so there’s a chance you won’t be able to access the park at all.
For those brave adventures who are not intimidated by the cold, Yellowstone’s winter wonderland holds some breathtaking sights. If you’re lucky, you might catch sight of the Grey Wolves that roam the woodlands. Just don’t get too close!
The big draw for the winter season is
skiing
. Yellowstone offers some of the most challenging and exciting backcountry skiing as well as some groomed trails.Pro Tip Hypothermia is a very real danger when traversing the frozen park. Make sure to take all appropriate precautions and check in with a park ranger before you head out.
Shoulder season: April to May and September to October
The good: Less crowded and cheaper than summer, lots of wildlife
The bad: Unpredictable weather, heavy rain and/or snow, road closers
The weather: Can be anywhere between the low 20s and the high 60s, often changes rapidly
Fall and spring are the shoulder seasons in Yellowstone. They offer a nice middle-ground between the crowded peak season and the frigid off-season. You can see vibrant autumn colors, or you can watch nature bloom before you during the spring.
The shoulder seasons, especially spring, are the best times to spot
wildlife
. When the park thaws, animals of all sorts emerge and fill Yellowstone with life.The shoulders seasons are also the best time to engage in outdoor sports like
climbing
and biking
. While the summer can a bit too hot for these activities, the shoulder seasons are perfect! But make sure you come prepared! The weather during spring and fall is notoriously unreliable. Blue skies can turn into chilly deluges at the drop of a hat.Pro Tip The wildlife in Yellowstone is in no way tamed or domesticated. These are wild animals. Getting close or interacting with them can be dangerous for you and damaging to them. Enjoy from a distance!
The cheapest time to travel to Yellowstone
If you’re looking to make the Yellowstone pilgrimage on a budget, you’ll want to go sometime between October and February. Flights to the nearest town Jackson Hole, are cheapest during these months. Lodging will also be cheaper. Just be prepared for the possibility that some of the roads might be closed.
MORE: Road trip from Las Vegas to Yellowstone National Park
Find the best month for your visit to Yellowstone
Now that you have some idea of what to expect from each season, it’s time to plan your Yellowstone adventure. To help you narrow it down, here is a breakdown of the best months to enjoy common Yellowstone activities.
Activity | Best month to visit | Why? |
|---|---|---|
Hiking | May to August | Hiking around the massive plot of land is time-consuming and requires you to be outdoors for extended periods. The summer months offer the best weather conditions for extended expeditions. |
Climbing and biking | April or October | Outdoor sports such as climbing and biking that require considerable physical exertion are best done out of the heat. |
Sightseeing | May or September | The best time to see the famed water features is in the warm weather of the summer, but it can get crowded. Try to get in before the crowds or catch the end of the season |
Wildlife viewing | March and April | Spring is the best time to see the huge variety of wild animals that call Yellowstone home. |
How to find savings on car and rental insurance
Yellowstone is 57 miles from Jackson Hole, Wyoming – which is the nearest town you can fly into. Most visitors decide to rent a car. Of course, you’ll want to get
rental insurance
for the car while you’re there. Jerry
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FAQ
What is the worst time to travel to Yellowstone?
Unless you are prepared for the arctic temperatures and are very enthusiastic about skiing, winter is going to be the worst time for you to travel to Yellowstone.
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