Summary:
These are the best times to visit Yellowstone National Park for smaller crowds, great weather, and more.
As the first national park in the world, Yellowstone offers visitors the chance to experience both stunning natural beauty and an important piece of history. Millions of people travel to the park each year to see its famous hot springs and hundreds of geysers — including the legendary Old Faithful.
While an argument could be made for visiting during every season of the year, factors like crowd size and weather can help you decide what time is best for you. For a basic overview, remember that the park’s tourist seasons are as follows:
- High Season: June to August
- Shoulder Seasons: April to May and September to October
- Low Season: November to March
No matter what kind of trip you’re after, here are the best (and worst) times to visit Yellowstone National Park.
Best Times to Visit Yellowstone for Smaller Crowds
Although many people are hesitant to plan outdoor-based vacations during the winter, they can sometimes be the most rewarding. When winter arrives at Yellowstone, snow blankets the mountainous landscape — leaving the most popular attractions blissfully crowd-free. For the adventurous (and those willing to brave the biting cold), the park is home to some of the most overlooked backcountry skiing in the country. Just be sure to check for road closures well in advance, as they can hinder your attempts to visit Yellowstone.
For a trip that offers modest crowds and less extreme weather, consider visiting in April, May, or October. These months typically see well under a million visitors combined — far fewer than the 2.5 million seen each year between June and August. While wintry weather can pop up, conditions tend to be manageable, especially at low altitudes. With a spring or fall visit, hiking, backpacking, and more can be enjoyed without the bumper-to-bumper traffic prevalent in Yellowstone during summer.
Best Times to Visit Yellowstone for Good Weather
Due to Yellowstone’s high elevation, the weather can turn extreme at any time of year. Winter typically sees bitter cold and deep snow, with these chilly conditions usually lingering into the early spring. In late spring and fall, temperatures tend to range from 30 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit — though pop-up bouts of far lower temperatures aren’t uncommon.
Consequently, summer is the ideal time to visit if you desire predictably pleasant weather. Temperatures usually peak around 70 degrees in June and in the low 80s in July and August, with average lows around 40. A summer visit to Yellowstone should provide good conditions during the daytime; however, chilly nights can bring frost, and snow and ice are always possible at high elevations.
One thing you won’t need to worry about? A rainy season. Although winter months can see hundreds of inches of snowfall, precipitation for the rest of the year tends to be consistently sparse, with an average of just 1.5 inches or so per month.
Best Times to Visit Yellowstone for Lower Prices
Flights to the nearest major airport — that of Jackson Hole, Wyoming — are typically cheapest between November and March, which is the park’s low season. Prices for lodging begin to drop after Labor Day once the summer crowds have diminished and children are back in school. If you’re planning to visit during this less-expensive season, keep in mind that it will require some creative planning. Seasonal road closures in Yellowstone begin in late September or October depending on weather, and many services shut down in the winter.
If you’re a regular visitor, you can save money year-round with an annual pass. The standard seven-day entrance pass for personal vehicles costs $35, but yearly passes only cost $70 — making them a worthy investment for any traveler who plans to visit the park more than twice a year. Fee-free days are also worth watching for, though you’d have to balance your cost savings against the substantial crowds these free-entry dates draw in.
Best Times to Visit Yellowstone for Wildlife
Wildlife can be viewed year-round at Yellowstone; however, the seasons will affect what species you see. March and April are the best months to view bears, while winter months are prime for observing wolves and bighorn sheep. Elk, moose, bison, and mountain goats can be spotted during the summer, which is also the park’s busiest season. Fall, on the other hand, is a great time to see bears, elk, and raptors while enjoying milder weather.
No matter what kind of animals you’re aiming to see, ensure you maintain a safe distance for both your safety and the animals’ well-being. The park specifically asks visitors not to approach wildlife to take photographs or selfies.
Best Times to Visit Yellowstone for Photography
It could be argued that there is no bad time for photographers to make a pilgrimage to Yellowstone. However, during peak season, there will definitely be other people in those shots. For travelers looking to photograph this classic American landscape, visiting during the winter months can be worthwhile, as the park is much less crowded (meaning no families blocking your view of Old Faithful). The winter is also a beautiful time to photograph snowfall and steam rising from the hot springs and geysers.
For a photography-friendly visit under more pleasant skies, consider visiting in the fall. Temperatures will be a bit warmer, and the stunning colors of Yellowstone’s aspens and cottonwoods will make your photos impressive.
Worst Times to Visit Yellowstone
Given that Yellowstone offers breathtaking sights year-round, the least-desirable season to visit depends on individual priorities. For many travelers, winter can be the most challenging time. Temperatures rarely exceed 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and heavy snow renders many roads impassable. That said, a winter visit offers unparalleled opportunities for backcountry snow sports, and the ultra-low visitor counts mean you’ll enjoy far more peace and quiet than at other times of the year.
Moreover, summer is popular for a reason, boasting great weather, accessible attractions, and services — but it will be packed. Yellowstone has seen as many as a million guests per month in recent summers, making this high season potentially unattractive for those who prefer an uncrowded visit.
For the best balance between weather and crowd size, try visiting just before Memorial Day or just after Labor Day, when you should find mild weather along with a fraction of the high-summer crowds.
