No matter when you have the opportunity to visit Yellowstone, it’s a trip well-worth taking. Here, both nature lovers and scenery seekers alike will find reasons to relish in their one-of-a-kind surroundings from the moment they set foot within its parameters. Yellowstone is packed with amazing wildlife, gorgeous landscapes, and mesmerizing geothermal features across its two million acres of terrain, making every visit a unique experience. That said, the time of year you arrive here can certainly affect what you’re able to do and how long you can spend exploring the places you’re more interested in seeing for yourself. The following is a month-by-month breakdown designed to help you and your traveling crew decide when is the best time to visit Yellowstone this year.
Make It a Winter Journey to Remember
If you don’t mind the snow and cold and you’re up for some bundled-up seasonal fun, visiting Yellowstone in the wintertime could be your ideal time of year to travel this way. December officially kicks off the cold-weather season here, and many of the snow coach and snowmobile tours that thrill-seekers can book through the park begin on or around the 15th. While you won’t have opportunities to drive your own vehicle through the park as freely as you would in the summertime due to multiple feet of snow and closed roadways, December is a time of year that’s well adapted to snowshoes in Yellowstone instead. The team at Yellowstone Safari Company begins their guided snowshoe outings this month, and there’s a good chance you’ll spot some incredible elk along the way if your route takes you to higher elevations.
January and February Are Ideal for Those Who Enjoy Off-Season Adventures
Winter is a terrific time to head to Yellowstone when you want to avoid crowds, and you’re willing to pack the extra gear needed to make the most of the great outdoors. January is a particularly popular month for taking in the scenery, as it’s covered in frost and ice. Yes, it’s bound to be frigid, but if you have your hat, boots, thermal gloves, multiple layers, and parkas readily available; there’s no reason you can’t head out in insulated covers and enjoy a stroll through the snow. The average high this time of year is typically around 28 degrees Fahrenheit, which keeps some visitors away, but it is a great time for those who are looking to spot wildlife like wolves, which are easier to spot in the distance against the white snow.
By February, things warm up slightly across Yellowstone’s fascinating ecosystem, but you’re still going to need to pack warm apparel if you want to head out and make the most of winter wildlife watching. February is a great time of year to spot bison sporting their thickest seasonal coasts moving around Mammoth Hot Springs, and it’s also a prime season for spotting coyotes, gray wolves, and red foxes as they begin to emerge in the name of an early breeding season in Yellowstone. If you head this way this time of year, you’ll likely find yourself in the company of dedicated wildlife photographers intent on capturing these snowy shots of amazing creatures at their finest.
Spring Brings New Life, Color, and Adventures to Yellowstone
March marks the beginning of the spring season in Yellowstone, and travelers who are looking to enjoy slightly warmer temperatures at the park compared to winter will be thrilled to find daily highs typically linger around 39 degrees Fahrenheit. That means a bit of snow will start melting away, but not enough to completely thaw out the terrain. Waterproof boots are still very much necessary here in March, and snowmobile tours are typically one of the most popular routes to relishing the scenery with ease alongside a local and knowledgeable guide. If you’re here to see elk, it’s a unique time of year to travel this way because it’s when elk begin to shed their seasonal antlers across Yellowstone. These grow back within 150 to 170 days, but if you happen to see one shedding its antlers in real-time, it’s an incredible scene you won’t soon forget.
By April, more visitors will be making their way to Yellowstone as things warm up, but it’s still very much considered a shoulder travel season in the area. If you decide to lace up your boots and hit the still slightly snowy trails, there’s a good chance you’ll notice melt-off beginning to create noticeable streams along the way. The West entrance of the park opens in April, and more routes are open to four-wheel-drive vehicles this month as well. Wildlife watching only gets better and better by April, as elk and deer alike make their way back to familiar grounds.
May Is a Must for Bear Watching
If you’re someone who has a true passion for spotting bears in the wild, the grizzlies who call Yellowstone home begin coming out from hibernation by May. Many consider this the “true” start to spring, and the viewing opportunities from a safe distance abound. From under the snowy terrain, visitors will also begin to notice spots of green as vegetation makes a seasonal reappearance across the park as well. May is also the month for baby bison to begin making their way into the world at Yellowstone, and their orange coats stand out strikingly in the herd. If you’re traveling to Yellowstone in May and intent on seeking out wildflowers, some of the early bloomers to expect this month include Glacier Lilies, Biscuitroot, Spring Beauties, and Arrowleaf Balsamroot as well. Finally, many visitors this time of year are delighted to find that roads that were closed all winter and early spring are now open for travel. Early May sees the East entrance of the park open up to the public, while mid-May welcomes travelers to use the South Entrance once again. By the end of May, Dunraven Pass to Tower Falls is accessible as well, making the park a place where you can more easily customize your entrance and exit points when planning your trip.
Spend Summer Embracing Amazing Surroundings in Yellowstone
By June, summer is officially in session across Yellowstone, but because some schools let out a bit late, you can possibly still avoid the mid-summer crowds that are guaranteed here by July. Daily highs hit the low 60s this month and there’s typically plenty of sunshine to go around which inevitably melts off any remaining snow at a faster rate. Still, if you want to cool down, hiking higher elevation trails in Yellowstone this time of year comes with access to fresh powder. At lower elevations, wildflowers are in bloom and among the lupine and Indian paintbrush, you’ll likely see baby deer, moose, and elk roaming.
By July, temperatures are typically at their warmest across Yellowstone, reaching upwards of 90 degrees by midday. The snow has long since gone from the trails so if you’re a hiking enthusiast, this is the time of year to find yourself here with gear in hand. Lines at entrance stations are bound to be significantly longer by July, so planning your entrance times is a must. A good way to ensure your place is to book your spot on a wildlife or nature tour so you can not only avoid crowds but perhaps set your sights on areas you might otherwise overlook. July is a terrific time to get up close to the park’s many geothermal features as well, because higher temperatures dissipate steam, which can block your view in the winter season.
August brings summer to a close with temperatures that still linger in the upper 80s and plenty of sunny days to enjoy. The one disadvantage to an August visit is that the park doesn’t typically see a lot of rain this time of year, so if you’re looking for options to cool off among all that heat, you’re a bit out of luck. As a result, there are also strict fire restrictions in place to be aware of no matter where you roam. That said, August visitors to Yellowstone will be right on time to witness the bison breeding season, which sees competing males putting on an incredible show of strength if you’re lucky enough to witness these matches in real-time.
Fall in Love with Yellowstone This Autumn
With school back in session and summer fading into fall, autumn is a great time to enjoy cooler temperatures across Yellowstone and fewer crowds too. Daily highs in September average around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with the one disadvantage being the increased chances for storms. The cooler weather does come with more active wildlife during the daytimes as opposed to what you might see in the summer, and bull elk and moose will be putting their impressive antlers to use showing off their strength and skills to attract a mate. Grizzly bears are on the hunt for local berries this time of year as they ramp up for an oncoming hibernation once again, and while the daylight time you can set aside to explore Yellowstone is shorter, it’s equally impressive.
It’s fair to say that October is a fan-favorite time of year in Yellowstone among those who have a passion for leaf peeping. Deciduous trees like cottonwood and aspen are the first to turn yellow, while the first week of October typically encompasses the very best time for spotting the most drastic change in hues. You will want to check on road status ahead before heading into Yellowstone in October, because while it’s not a guarantee, a pop-up storm or snowfall can cause some access points to close earlier in the season than originally anticipated.
November brings fall to a close in Yellowstone, and the 7th of the month typically marks the final opportunity for travelers to take full advantage of exploring the park’s roads on their own in a standard highway vehicle. After that, many routes are closed for the wintertime in the name of safety with the exception of the North and Northeast entrance. Of course, even if you arrive later in November, you can simply take a winter-style approach to visiting and plan a snow tour with a guide or head in on foot on your own. Places like the Lamar Valley are extremely active with bison and elk well into November, and bighorn sheep breeding season gets underway this month as well. Long before the largest snowfalls of the year happen, November presents a wonderful chance to explore geothermal features without having to contend with snow on the boardwalks or surrounding trails.
Book a Stay within Easy Reach of Yellowstone Through Sweet Home Montana
The best way to make sure you make the most of your Yellowstone experience, no matter what month or season you arrive, is to book inviting and conveniently located accommodations that keep you close to the fun and living in style! That’s exactly what you can expect and more when you partner with Sweet Home Montana for your rental the next time you’re here. We live where we work, and our team of property professionals always pairs incredible rental options for our guests with exceptional and insightful customer service standards as well. We can just as easily help you find the right home away from home for your stay as we can advise you about local events, activities, and attractions to check out that are sure to make your stay even more memorable. We offer terrific lodging options in every season and know where to go whether the snow is falling or the sun is up and temperatures are on the rise across Yellowstone.
No matter when you arrive, how long you have to spare in the name of vacation fun, or how many others you’re traveling alongside, we’re ready and waiting to help you enjoy your journey in comfort, convenience, and style. Reach out today to learn more about our portfolio of property options in West Yellowstone and how we can help you customize the details of your accommodations and trip that matter most to you. We’ll handle the details while you focus exclusively on the fun ahead and we very much look forward to seeing you in Yellowstone soon!
