The weather in Yellowstone National Park

You can access Yellowstone all year but most people visit the Park during July and August as this is your best chance of getting warm weather. All the snow has melted by this point so you can access the whole Park and all the trails. Whilst you have the best chance of warm weather, bear in mind the Park is at altitude so it can get very cold, even in high summer and weather conditions can change extremely quickly so make sure you pack warm clothes and wet weather gear.

You can find quieter spots!

Yellowstone is a hugely popular place to visit so it does get very crowded in July and August – the car parks and shops and honey pot attractions such as Old Faithful are mobbed. We tend to still go this time of year however, as if you are willing to walk even 10 minutes away from the car park you will find the crowds thin out really fast. Having said that I once went into the general store in Canyon Village to buy water prior to a hiking trip and it was my personal version of Dante’s fifth circle.

If you are looking for a quieter visit, September and October are still good times to visit the park. The weather should still be mild but you may find there is snow on the higher ground and you could well be caught in an occasional snowstorm. By November, the snow starts in earnest and many of the access roads to the park are closed until May or June. The road between the North and the Northeast Entrance stays open all year but you can only use the North Entrance as the high pass to the Northeast is not cleared of snow.

Brrrr! Winter weather.

Some people love to visit the Park during the winter when you can access some of the sights via snowmobile or snow coach and the combination of snow and steam provide a wonderful spectacle. We have often been tempted but have never visited at this time of year – it can be wonderful but you can also face a couple of days of a howling blizzard so you have to be prepared for that.

Finally, many of the Park amenities reopen during May. May and June offer the best chance to see new born animals and the weather can be lovely but then again it can be cold and wet and there is still a good chance of snow so ensure you have got adequate clothing with you. Many of the hiking trails will remain closed throughout most of June so some activity will be restricted.