The Best and Worst Times to Visit Yellowstone National Park
When asking about the best and worst times to visit Yellowstone National Park, you’ll probably get one of two answers. Either you’ll hear in response… “There’s no bad time to visit Yellowstone since each season is unique!” Or, you’ll be told emphatically that summer is the very worst because it’s just too busy. In my experience, locals and Yellowstone regulars tend to respond with the later, while park guides tend to say the former.
As someone who now lives part-time at Yellowstone’s North Entrance and has been to Yellowstone at least once during every season, I tend to agree with park guides. Sure, I prefer to avoid popular attractions mid-day during summer months (and follow these other tips for avoiding crowds in Yellowstone), but each season in Yellowstone really does offer something special.
And if you’re planning your first visit to Yellowstone? Remember, there’s a reason a lot of people visit during the summer, and it’s not just because of school breaks and summer vacations. Summer months are prime park season in Yellowstone, meaning that’s when the most park is available to explore. All park roads, facilities, and trails are open, making summer an ideal time for many visitors to travel.
The best and worst times to visit Yellowstone depend entirely on what you are most interested in seeing and experiencing during your trip. This post will guide you through those best and worst times based on factors like crowds, wildlife, hiking, photography, weather, and more. Here’s your definitive guide on when to visit Yellowstone National Park!
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Best Time to Visit Yellowstone To Avoid Crowds
If the most important factor in your trip is minimizing crowds, then don’t plan to be in the park between 10am and 4pm during the months of July or August. Take advantage of early mornings and later evenings (long daylight hours are your friend in the summer months!) or skip the summer altogether and plan a winter wonderland trip to Yellowstone instead.
The best time to visit Yellowstone to avoid crowds is the winter months, between December 15th and March 15th. (Avoid holiday weeks.) To minimize crowds but still be able to explore the majority of Yellowstone’s biggest attractions, plan your trip for the first or second week of May.
Worst Time to Visit Yellowstone To Avoid Crowds
The worst time to visit Yellowstone if you’re hoping to minimize crowds is July. This is when park visitation is at its highest.
If you can only visit in July, avoid the park’s biggest attractions, such as Old Faithful, Artist Point, or the Grand Prismatic Spring, between 10am and 4pm. Get up early and stay out late to minimize crowds during the summer months.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone For Wildlife
The best time to visit Yellowstone if you’re most interested in seeing wildlife is mid-May to early June. This is baby animal season in Yellowstone, and it’s one of the most magical wildlife experiences in the world! Mid-May to early June is the best time of the year to spot bear cubs, wolf pups, bison calves, pronghorn fawns, and coyote pups, among others.
Dawn and dusk are the best times to see wildlife daily, as animals are most active at these times.
Best Time to See Bears in Yellowstone
Similarly, the best time to visit Yellowstone to see bears is mid-May to early June. This is one of the best times of the year to see bears in Yellowstone National Park as they’re coming out of hibernation and actively foraging for food.
May is a prime time for bear activity because the park's lower elevations begin to thaw, providing bears with access to fresh food. The snow starts to recede, exposing more ground, which allows bears to forage for roots, grasses, and early berries. Additionally, elk and bison calves are born during this time, providing another food source for predators like grizzly bears.
Grizzlies are often seen in lower elevation areas, such as the Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley, and around the park's rivers and streams in May and early June. The Tower-Roosevelt area is a great place to see black bears at this time.
Best Time to See Wolves in Yellowstone
Winter is one of the best times of the year to see wolves in Yellowstone. This is because wolves, especially black wolves, are easier to spot against a snow-covered landscape, and the lack of foliage provides clearer views. (For this reason, this is also the best time to visit Yellowstone to spot a red fox or coyote.)
Winter is also the wolves' breeding season, leading to increased activity within packs, including traveling, hunting, and marking territory. Additionally, prey animals like elk and bison move to lower elevations in winter, drawing wolves to these areas and increasing the chances of sightings, especially in places like Lamar and Hayden Valleys. With fewer visitors in the park during winter, the experience of searching for wolves is more peaceful and less crowded, making it the ideal season for wolf-watching in Yellowstone.
However, if you’re hoping to spot wolf pups, mid to late May and into the summer months are ideal. Between May and August 2024 (and counting), one wolf pack (with multiple adults and about 9 pups) was visible almost every daily in Hayden Valley. Once wolves establish a den for the season, they tend to stick in the area until the pups are older.
Best Time to See Bison in Yellowstone
There’s not really a bad time to visit Yellowstone for bison, which means year-round offers a pretty great opportunity to spot bison in Yellowstone National Park. However, winter is my favorite time of year to spot bison because they tend to move toward lower elevations and even into areas near towns in search of food. As snow covers the park, bison seek out grass by traveling to places where the snow is less deep or where geothermal activity keeps the ground warmer, making it easier to graze.
Additionally, bison conserve energy during winter months and often use the path of least resistance by walking on groomed trails and roads, where the snow is packed down and easier to navigate. This behavior brings them closer to roads, making them more visible to visitors. These paths provide bison with a more efficient way to move through the deep snow, and as a result, they are frequently seen walking along roadways or crossing through areas where people are more likely to spot them during winter.
Another great time to visit Yellowstone for bison is the end of July and August during the bison rut. Here, you’ll often find dozens and dozens of bison grouped in Lamar Valley. The bison rut is the mating season for bison, typically occurring from late July through August. During this time, bison behavior changes dramatically as bulls compete for the opportunity to mate with females.
Large bulls, weighing up to 2,000 pounds, engage in head-to-head battles, using their massive horns to push and shove each other in displays of strength and dominance. The dominant bulls will then form small groups of females, called harems, and closely guard them from other competing males.
During the rut, bison are more vocal, with deep bellows that can be heard across great distances. These sounds are part of their display to intimidate rivals and attract females. The bison rut is a fascinating and dynamic time to observe these powerful animals in Yellowstone, offering a unique glimpse into their natural behavior and the social structure of bison herds. Visitors should exercise caution during the rut, as bison can be more aggressive and unpredictable. Maintaining a safe distance and observing from afar is important to avoid disturbing the animals or putting oneself in danger.
Best Time to See Elk in Yellowstone
The best time to see elk in Yellowstone is in September and October during the elk rut. During the elk rut, or mating season, bull elk become more active and visible as they compete for the attention of females, known as cows. The most iconic behavior during this time is the bull elk’s bugling, a loud, high-pitched call that echoes through the valleys and serves to establish dominance, attract cows, and warn off rival males.
Bull elk also perform dramatic displays of strength, including sparring with other males using their large antlers. These confrontations can be intense, with bulls locking antlers and pushing against each other to assert dominance and win the right to mate.
In Yellowstone, areas like Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley are the best places to find elk during the fall rut. Mammoth Hot Springs is particularly popular because elk often gather near the park headquarters and visitor center, making them easy to spot. The large open meadows of Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley also provide excellent opportunities to see elk in action, as these areas are prime habitats for elk during the fall. Like the bison rut, visitors should exercise caution and keep a safe distance, as bull elk can be more aggressive and unpredictable during this time.
Worst Time to Visit Yellowstone for Wildlife
The worst time of year to visit Yellowstone for wildlife viewing is late fall through early winter, from November through mid-December. During this period, many animals, such as bears, are entering hibernation or becoming less active. Snow is also accumulating at this time, which can obscure wildlife and make travel more challenging, while most park areas close and become less accessible in preparation for the winter season. Additionally, migratory animals like elk and bison may be moving to different areas or congregating in less visible spots, reducing the chances of sightings.
Early April can also be a less ideal time for wildlife viewing as the park is still transitioning out of winter. Snow and cold weather persist, and many animals are not yet fully active. However, as the month progresses and temperatures gradually rise, wildlife activity can begin to increase, making late April better for spotting animals compared to earlier winter months.
The worst time of day to see wildlife is midday, as most animals retreat to shaded areas in less visible locations.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Early September is the best time of year to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in one trip. This is because the road between the parks is still open, but peak tourism season has ended. Temperatures are great for hiking at this time (Grand Teton is magical for hiking!!), and there’s a chance you’ll get to see a bit of snow-capping on the Teton mountains, which is absolutely spectacular.
September as a whole is a great time to visit both parks, as the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle is generally open through September. However, for the first week of September, the shuttle is still open early in the morning, which is ideal for hiking in Grand Teton National Park. (Around September 8th, shuttle hours change from 7am-7pm to 10am-4pm.) This is helpful because the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle eliminates about a 2-mile each-way trek to the Cascade Canyon, Inspiration Point, and Hidden Falls Trailheads, some of the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park.
Additionally, the fall colors start to emerge in September, especially in Grand Teton National Park, creating stunning landscapes. Early September is the perfect balance of good weather, reduced crowds, and vibrant wildlife activity, making it an ideal time to explore both parks.
May is also a great time to visit both parks, particularly for bear-watching. Just remember to plan your trip once the road between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks opens for the season, which is typically around May 10th. (Check current year road opening dates here.)
Worst Time to Visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton
November and April are the worst months to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The road between the two parks is closed, which will add many hours to your drive between parks. Additionally, November is off-season in Yellowstone, meaning most park facilities are no longer open for the summer and fall season, but the winter season hasn’t yet begun. Ski resorts in Jackson Hole near Grand Teton generally do not open till late November.
Wildlife activity generally diminishes at this time, as many animals, such as bears, enter hibernation or become less active. Plus, the shorter daylight hours in November mean less time for exploration and sightseeing. Although roads in Yellowstone begin rolling openings for the season starting in mid to late April, they are not entirely open until the end of May, making May a much better time to visit both parks.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone for Hiking
September is generally the best month to visit Yellowstone for hiking. During this time, the weather is usually pleasant, with cooler temperatures that make for comfortable hiking conditions. The summer crowds have started to thin out, offering a quieter experience on the trails and an easier time finding parking at trailheads. Plus, September provides good weather with less chance of heavy snowfall or rain than later months, making the trails more accessible and enjoyable. The fall colors also start to emerge and can add beautiful scenery to your hikes.
Note: In September, most higher-elevation trails in Yellowstone National Park remain open, but early snowfall or changing conditions can impact their accessibility. By late September or early October, snow and ice may start to affect trails above 7,000 feet, and some areas might become less accessible or closed for the season. It’s always a good idea to check current trail conditions and park alerts before heading out, as weather can change rapidly in the mountains. Some areas can also be closed this time of year due to high bear activity. Check trail conditions here.
September is also a great time of the year to hike more popular trails in Yellowstone, such as the Fairy Falls Trail, the Brink of the Lower Falls, and the Wapiti, Clear Lake, Ribbon Lake, and South Rim Trail.
With this said, summer is my personal pick for the best time to visit Yellowstone for extensive hiking and longer, less populated trails. There is less concern for snow in higher-elevation areas, such as Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn and Avalanche Lake, plus long daylight hours provide plenty of opportunity to hike multiple trails. I also prefer people on the trails when hiking in bear country as it provides an extra layer of safety. (Be sure also to carry bear spray everywhere in Yellowstone!)
View of the Grand Prismatic Spring from the Fairy Falls Trail.
Worst Time to Visit Yellowstone for Hiking
April and November are the worst months to visit Yellowstone for hiking. Many roads and trails are not accessbile during this time, as the park transitions between the summer/fall and winter seasons. (Note: Since winter months allow for snow shoeing and cross-country skiing to explore Yellowstone backcountry, I’m considering these good hiking months.)
Much of Yellowstone is entirely inaccessible in November. The only hiking option is on the park's north side, between Gardiner, MT (the north entrance) and Cooke City, MT (the northeast entrance). Yellowstone’s interior is inaccessible as the park transitions. In April, roads begin rolling openings; however, lingering snow and mud can make hiking difficult and less enjoyable. Higher-elevation trails are usually still covered in snow and ice this time of year.
Least Expensive Time to Visit Yellowstone
If you’re staying outside the park, the least expensive time to visit Yellowstone is the “off-season,” from March 15-April 15 and November 1 through December 15. This is because most interior roads in Yellowstone are closed to prepare for the upcoming summer or winter season, and access is limited. There is much less demand for lodging near Yellowstone this time of year, so prices are more affordable.
If you’re staying inside the park, early to mid-May and mid-October are generally the least expensive times to visit Yellowstone. Prices gradually increase as the season progresses until they peak in July and then begin to lower around the end of the summer/fall season. (Holiday weekends are also more expensive, so avoid them when possible.)
Overall, camping is by far the most affordable and least expensive way to visit Yellowstone. Campgrounds generally open in early May and close in September or October.
Most Expensive Time to Visit Yellowstone
The most expensive times to visit Yellowstone are July, August, and the winter season. The summer season (from Memorial Day through August) is peak tourism season, which means prices are at their highest, and there is a lot of demand for lodging. Prices tend to be at their peak in July and August and around major holidays and long weekends, such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.
The winter season is also an expensive time to visit Yellowstone because access to the park during winter is limited to guided snowcoach tours, snowmobiles, or cross-country skiing, all of which can be pricey compared to standard summer car access. Additionally, specialized services like guided snowshoeing and snowmobile tours often come with higher costs due to the need for specialized equipment and trained guides. (But don’t let the cost alone deter you… winter in Yellowstone is magnificent.)
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone for Photography
May and September are the best times of the year to visit Yellowstone for photography. May is a great time to visit for bears and wildlife in general (baby animals!), while September is great for fall colors and the elk rut. September is also an ideal time to visit Grand Teton National Park for photography. The sun's lower angle in September offers soft, golden light that enhances the quality of landscape and wildlife shots.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone for Fishing
July and August are generally the best months to visit Yellowstone for fishing. The weather is warm and stable during this time, providing ideal conditions for a day on the water! Most of the park's rivers and lakes are fully accessible, and fish feed actively due to the warm temperatures and high insect activity. July also coincides with several important insect hatches, such as mayflies and caddisflies, which attract fish to the surface and increase the chances of a successful catch. (Note: Fishing and boating season in Yellowstone is generally the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through October 31st. Fishing permits are required.)
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone for Geysers
Spring brings baby animals, new plant growth, wildflowers… and flowing waters! The park's hot springs, geysers, and other thermal features are particularly active in the spring as the snow melts and rivers and waterfalls swell with water. April, May, and June are arguably the best months for viewing Yellowstone's geysers, including Old Faithful, as cooler temperatures and higher groundwater levels can lead to more active and predictable eruptions.
However, if you’re most excited about Yellowstone’s other thermal features, such as hot springs, the best time to visit is a warm summer afternoon. For example, if you're visiting the Grand Prismatic Spring and hoping to experience its vibrant colors, a hot summer afternoon in July or August is best.
Overall: The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park
As you can see, there’s no one best time to visit Yellowstone National Park. It’s an incredible destination year-round. The best time to visit depends entirely on your interests and preferences. However, here’s my pick for the overall best time to visit…
The overall best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is from mid-May through early June. (Avoid Memorial Day weekend.) Wildlife is active, and park roads and facilities are open, but the peak traffic has yet to arrive!
Overall: The Worst Time to Visit Yellowstone
The worst time to visit Yellowstone National Park is generally the “Off-Season,” from mid-March to mid-April and November 1 to mid-December.
During these times, interior park roads close to all traffic (private and commercial vehicles) to prepare for the upcoming summer or winter season. From mid-March to mid-April, and again from November 1st to mid-December, you will be unable to visit Yellowstone’s interior as only the roads between the North and Northeast Entrance are open (Gardiner to Mammoth to Lamar Valley to Cooke City).
However, like every other season in Yellowstone, April and November still offer something unique. Off-season is the quietest time of year in Yellowstone. Enjoy less traffic, better access to wildlife pull-offs, and solitude on hiking, snowshoe, and cross-country skiing trails. There’s nothing wrong with choosing to experience the serenity and slowness of an Off-Season visit that encourages abundant wildlife watching and leisurely strolls on trails near Lamar Valley, Tower-Roosevelt, and Mammoth Hot Springs :)
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