The Best Times to Visit Yellowstone

By Josh Laskin, The Points Guy

With approximately four million visitors each year, Yellowstone is one of the nation’s most popular parks — and rightfully so.

The park sits on top of the Yellowstone Caldera — the largest supervolcano in North America — and is home to approximately 10,000 geothermal features. Visitors stare in awe as the famous Old Faithful geyser erupts throughout the day, spewing up to 8,400 gallons of scalding water over 100 feet in the air, or at the steam rising from the Grand Prismatic hot springs.

Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park.

But the geothermal features aren’t the only draw. Largely in Wyoming but stretching into Montana and Idaho, too, the park’s 2.2 million acres are home to a diverse variety of wildlife such as bison, mountain goats and elk. The mountainous landscape is also ideal for downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking and fishing.

When it comes to determining the “best” time to visit Yellowstone, it ultimately depends on what kind of trip you hope to have. Do you want to strap on your skis and head into the backcountry, or are you in search of warm, dry weather? Does your dream Yellowstone trip include wildlife sightings, cheap flights or thin crowds?

Plan accordingly, visit at the right time and you’ll have an incredible trip to this national treasure.

The Best Weather in Yellowstone

Spring in Yellowstone.

As is true of any high-elevation mountainous region, weather can vary significantly and be unpredictable. Overall, July through September are the warmest and driest months in Yellowstone, with highs reaching into the 70s in July and August, and dropping to the 60s in September. On average, there are between five and seven days of rain during this time. Highs in the spring and fall are usually between 30 and 60 degrees, and between zero and 20 during the winter. It is not uncommon to see snow at higher elevations during any month of the year, so be sure to pack warm layers and waterproof gear.

When to Visit Yellowstone for Events

While there are isn’t much scheduled in the spring, there are plenty of programs and events to participate in during the winter, summer and fall. In the winter, the park offers ranger-led guided snowshoe walks and the Geysers Galore talk, in addition to other educational activities. In the summer and fall, there are a variety of guided walks, talks, programs and events such as the Junior Ranger Wildlife Olympics and the Geyser Hill walk.

In terms of geothermal events, the park is geothermally active year round. During the winter, however, the steam from erupting geysers and hot springs looks especially lovely against the snow-covered landscape.

The Best Time to see Wildlife in Yellowstone

Yellowstone is known for its abundant wildlife that can be viewed year-round. However, if there is a specific species you’re hoping to photograph (or, well, Instagram), some months are better than others.

Wildlife in the Spring

Many animals such as elk, bison, bears and wolves can be found in the meadows and valleys during the spring, which runs from April through early June.

Wildlife in the Summer

When summer arrives, many of the species living in Yellowstone (save for bison) head to higher elevations in search of cooler temperatures, so expect fewer sightings between mid-June and August.

Wildlife in the Fall

The animals return to the meadows and valleys in the fall (September through October). This is an especially great time to witness elk rutting, when male elk, or bulls, try to impress the female elk. Expect a lot of loud bugling, the occasional duel and, more than anything, a bunch of elk strutting around showing off.

Wildlife in the Winter

Winter, which runs from November through March, is also a surprisingly great time to view wildlife. Animals remain near the valleys and can sometimes be seen keeping warm near a geyser or hot spring. It is also the best time to view wolves. The bighorn sheep rut occurs during the early winter months, too.

But no matter what month you visit Yellowstone, it’s extremely important to remember that wildlife is just that: wild. Be sure to never feed or touch any animals and always view them from a safe distance.

When to Avoid the Crowds

Tourists photograph Old Faithful Geyser.

From November through March, frigid temperatures drive away the park’s notorious crowds. While not all travelers are willing to face the freezing weather to have some one-on-one time with Old Faithful, those who are will be rewarded with a serene, quiet landscape blanketed in white. October and April are also slower months and see far fewer tourists — and daily highs can exceed freezing. It’s a win-win!

Just remember, services are limited during the winter, so be sure to check for road closures and service availability before making any plans.

The Cheapest Time to Visit Yellowstone

Flights and lodging are usually cheapest during the shoulder season (spring) and winter, which is Yellowstone’s slow season. Prices usually tend to drop after Labor Day and don’t begin to rise until March. Of course, airfare trends vary depending on location of origin.

Affordable Airfare

Based on historical data from 2017 and 2018 from the travel search engine Skyscanner.com, flights to Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) — which is just 49 miles to the South Entrance of the park — from New York and Los Angeles are cheapest in March. If you’re coming from Chicago, however, flight prices drop in May. You may have better luck finding cheap flights to Yellowstone from Washington, DC in July and August.

Affordable Hotels

According to historical data collected by Priceline in 2017 and 2018 at the nearby towns of Cody, Gardiner, Jackson and Island Park, lodging was most expensive in June and July and cheapest in November and December. Overall, Cody, Wyoming is the cheapest place to stay regardless of month.

Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park.

If you’re looking to cash in points for a free stay any time of year, you can use 25,000 World of Hyatt points at the Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa in Jackson; 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at the Springhill Suites also in Jackson; and, during peak season, 70,000 Hilton Honors points at the Homewood Suites in Jackson. Rates drop as low as 42,000 points per night during the winter.  And, since Hilton doesn’t maintain a public award chart with categories, your mileage may vary.