Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

This is the absolute best time to visit Yellowstone

By
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park Ledain via Pixabay / Pixabay

Yellowstone National Park offers breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unique geothermal features—perfect for this year’s summer trip. While each season brings its own charm to this iconic park, June stands out as an ideal time to visit. As we transition to summer, Yellowstone comes alive with vibrant wildlife and milder weather, making it the perfect month for an unforgettable adventure.

When is peak season at Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone national park geysers
Lane V. Erickson / Shutterstock

The peak season at Yellowstone National Park typically runs from the end of April through mid-September. This period offers the best opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. However, it’s also when the park is most crowded due to the pleasant weather, so early planning and reservations are highly recommended.

Recommended Videos

Best times to visit Yellowstone

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and still see some amazing sights, plan to visit Yellowstone National Park during these months:

Related

June

While June marks the beginning of the peak tourist season at Yellowstone, it is still less crowded than July and August. Visiting in June allows you to enjoy the park’s attractions with fewer people around, providing a more serene and immersive experience. This is when Yellowstone is at its greenest. Early mornings and late afternoons are particularly peaceful, offering the chance to explore popular sites like Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs with minimal crowds.

September

Visiting Yellowstone in September can be a fantastic experience for several reasons. After Labor Day, the number of visitors decreases significantly, providing a more peaceful and enjoyable experience. September also offers mild and comfortable weather, with cooler temperatures that are perfect for outdoor activities. The changing colors of the leaves create stunning landscapes and excellent photo opportunities.

Most park services and facilities are still open, but with fewer crowds, you can enjoy them more freely. Additionally, September often has clear skies, providing excellent conditions for stargazing.

October

Since it’s the end of the season, October sees the least amount of visitors, providing a serene atmosphere for your exploration. The Fall foliage is often at its peak during this time, which creates stunning backdrops for wildlife photography. Park facilities are still open in early October, and while there might not be as many activities, you can still hike, camp, and view wildlife as they prepare for winter. Just make sure you bring warm clothes!

June, September, and October each offering its own unique advantages when visiting Yellowstone National Park. The combination of pleasant weather, lush landscapes, abundant wildlife, and optimal conditions for outdoor activities makes them the perfect months to experience the park’s natural wonders. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a first-time visitor, Yellowstone promises unforgettable memories and a deep connection with nature. For more information about passes, be sure to visit the National Park Service.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Sarah Joseph
Sarah Joseph
Contributor
Sarah is a lover of all things outdoors. With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, she is always…
Big Bend National Park will initiate trail closures because of this bird
Park closures to ensue in order to save this national treasure
Big Bend National Park in Texas

The peregrine falcon is a powerful, fast-flying bird of prey that can reach up to 240 mph in a hunting dive. Though they can be found pretty much worldwide, they almost became extinct due to the use of DDT pesticides, which weakened their eggshells. Recovery efforts in the 1970s and the 1990s banned the use of DDT and captive breeding, which led to this beautiful bird being delisted from the U.S. endangered species list in 1999. Though these birds have recovered to a certain extent, they are still a protected species in Texas, which is why the National Park Service is closing parts of Big Bend National Park, one of Texas' gorgeous national parks, during the nesting period.

From February 1st to May 31st, temporary closures will be set in place. The closed areas will include:

Read more
Embrace the cold: The best places to camp in the winter
For the best winter camping adventure, try one of these national parks
Yosemite National Park in winter

Winter camping isn't for the faint of heart, but there's no better way to test your adventuring skills. Really, I've found that the only thing you need to do to have an awesome trip is to stay warm. If you can manage that, then winter camping is actually an enjoyable experience. There's nothing better than being a short walk away from some of the best winter sports around. If you're looking for the best places to camp in the winter, there's nowhere better than our beloved national parks.
Yosemite National Park

In my opinion, Yosemite National park is one of the best places for winter camping. If visiting Yosemite during the crowded summer season is not your cup of coffee, you might just enjoy winter camping here instead. There are four campground options that remain open during the winter season. Upper Pines and Camp 4 are both in the Yosemite Valley, so if you're a beginner, these might be decent options due to the slightly milder temperatures. Hodgdon Meadow and Wawona are just forty-five minutes away from the Yosemite Valley, so they are also excellent options.

Read more
Construction at Glacier National Park means changes for your trip — what to know
NPS imposes new rule to manage visitors at Glacier National Parl
The Garden Wall along the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park.

In fall of 2024, the officials at Glacier National Park started a major construction project to replace aging infrastructure. This included the Swiftcurrent area water system, which was originally installed in the 1960s and is in desperate need of replacement. The rehabilitation project also includes road and safety improvements. Since the construction project encroaches on much of the parking options, the National Park Service has announced that personal vehicle access to Many Glacier will be restricted.

Visitors to the park can still enjoy access through a temporary shuttle service that will start operating in July and conclude in September. Otherwise, all vehicles, bikes, and foot traffic will not be permitted until the construction is complete.

Read more