Busiest Time to Visit Yellowstone | USA Today Blooming wildflowers reach their peak in June and last until mid-July. As a warning, the final this is a park far away from a major metro area like (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The. West Entrance. There are airports near the South, East, and West entrances. However, if you are visiting several National Parks in the same and explore the displays at the visitor center. Yellowstone National Park has 5 entrances. As far as accommodations, you can find all the details in my guide on where to stay in Yellowstone. This might be an opportune time to try out one of Yellowstones adrenaline-packed winter activities like cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, or ice-climbingfrozen waterfalls unique experiences you can only get this time of year. Zion National Parks warm climate allows for reasonable access to the park all year long. Novembers monthly high is only 34 degrees Fahrenheit, with a low of 12 degrees. Lone Mountain Ranch offers guided snowshoeing adventures for guests. From unique gateway towns to proximity to certain park highlights, the entrance you chose plays a big role in your experience. Motorcycles and snowmobiles are $30, and anyone entering on foot or by bicycle or skis must pay $20 each. After seeing the Grand Canyon, head back through Hayden Valley to the West Thumb Geyser Basin, stopping to see Yellowstone Lake along the way. Some of the top hotels in West Yellowstone include: Remember that Yellowstone is a top-rated destination. If youre staying outside the park, consider staying in Gardiner or Cooke City-Silver Gate, depending on where youre heading next. Youll bear witness to a snowy wonderland slowly melt away into green as well as signs of life emerging from their long winters slumber. I recommend walking through the Lower Terrace and skipping the drive-through Upper Terrace if youre short on time. Least busy days - Yellowstone National Park Forum Dont miss Grand Riverside Geyser, Chromatic Pool, and Morning Glory Pool! The popular answer is 2 days if you plan on driving the entirety of Yellowstone National Parks Grand Loop and checking off all of its most famous sites. Looking for accommodations for your trip from California to other parts of the Southwest? If youre short on time, I recommend prioritizing the southern loop of Grand Loop Road. While most of the park is undeveloped forest and mountains, Yellowstones main attractions and eight developed regions are almost entirely situated along the 142-mile, Grand Loop Road, also dubbed the Figure Eight for its shape. How Much Does It Cost to Go to Yellowstone National Park? Given its close proximity to Grand Teton National Park, this is also the best entrance/exit if you would like to include two national parks in your trips itinerary. Park Roads Factor in food, gear, tours, and souvenirs, and a trip to Yellowstone can get pretty pricey or not. Yellowstone It gives park guests close access to Mammoth Hot Springs and is only minutes from the small western town of Gardiner, MT. The Best Times To Visit Hawaii in 2022 [By Seasons & Islands], Virtual Tours of the 63 Iconic U.S. National Parks [2023], The Ultimate Guide to 59 U.S. National Parks in 2023 [Map Included], The 20 Most Popular Water Parks to Visit in North America [2020], The Business Platinum Card from American Express. Which entry did you use? September in Yellowstone is particularly thrilling. Wildlife viewing and winter activities, including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are still popular in February, when the park is still closed to car traffic and most lodges and tours remain closed. If you plan to hike, make sure you pack plenty of water, food, and bear spray, the latter of which you can rent near the park and at Canyon Village. March through November is the busiest time of the year. Skip the Mobs: 4 Easy Uncrowded Yellowstone Hikes Where to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park, Tips for Planning a Trip to Yellowstone National Park, If You Have More Time in Yellowstone National Park, Frequently Asked Questions About Yellowstone Itineraries, Final Thoughts on This Itinerary for Yellowstone, Day 1: Old Faithful, Upper Geyser Basin, & Grand Prismatic Spring, Day 2: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone & Hayden Valley, Day 3: Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, & Lamar Valley. Outside the park, look for hotels in West Yellowstone, Montana. As Americas first national park (and one of the biggest! The South Entrance is just over 21 miles away from West Thumb Geyser Basin, a colorful geyser with exquisite lake views, and can be a viable entry point if this landmark is on your Yellowstone National Park schedule. You can choose to sleep outside the park, taking advantage of the ample supply in the town of Jackson, or spend the night inside the park at Grant Village 20 miles away, which is a good location close to Yellowstones geysers. The Roosevelt Lodge is 28 miles away from the Northeast Entrance, making it another good choice for those staying at the Lodge or in nearby Cooke City, MT. WebThe Yellowstone South Entrance is located about 25 miles north of Grand Teton National Park and about 57 miles north of the famous Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It's May Be Hard to Find a Place to Stay 10. Traveling between Another reason to enter or exit the park via the East Entrance is to include some of the nearby attractions outside the parks borders in your itinerary. The Paradise Valley, a major river valley in southwestern Montana, is 15 miles away from the North Entrance and serves as one of the closest attractions beyond the parks borders. Ah, summer. Spend the night in a national park lodge. In my opinion, four days in Yellowstone National Park is the perfect amount of time to see all the top attractions and the best things to do. I recommend staying inside the park for this Yellowstone itinerary if possible as it will save several hours a day in driving time. Canyon Village is closest to Hayden Valley. Spring is the best time to spot bears, who emerge from hibernation both curious and hungry, and bison during bison calving season, Summer is the best time to see big-horned mammals, including bison, elk, moose, and mountain goats, Fall is another great time to see bears, who often forage for food near the roads in preparation for winter, along with elk and birds of prey (including hawks and eagles), Winter is the best time to spot bighorn sheep and wolves. In the summer months, even hotels outside the park will fill up several months in advance. In actuality, spring in Yellowstone can be downright unforgiving, chilly, and snowy right up until May. Yellowstone is considerably large. Yellowstone has something to offer every month of the year. Early Afternoon: Grand Prismatic Spring. If youre looking for an easier route, the trail is only 5.6 miles if you start from Chittenden Road instead (but its somewhat less scenic!). By Memorial Day weekend, warmer temperatures and brighter days really hit their stride and last all the way through September, causing visitor numbers to swell late in the month. Visitors can find outfitters and guides offering these experiences near the city, which is set against a backdrop of magnificent scenery. Start your day early at Old Faithful, which erupts every 1.5 hours. On your last day in Yellowstone, consider one of these options: If you have more than five days to spend in Yellowstone, I highly recommend checking out more of the best things to do! After the school year concludes, families take time off and pack up the kids to enjoy summers improving weather. Please Report illegal behavior or criminal acts in Yellowstone. Where to Stay: Canyon Village or West Yellowstone. The best way to get to Yellowstone is by flying unless you live within driving distance. 2023 Upgraded Points, LLC. The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. This is the closest access for those coming from the city of Bozeman, while the reference town for those planning to spend the night outside the park is Gardiner (about half a mile away), which has several hotels. The East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is one of the least-frequented of the parks five entrances due to its remote location. The West Entrance is open seasonally, closing in late fall. Within that, holidays and anytime kids are out of school are the busiest of all. There is a flat $35 entry fee for all non-commercial vehicles entering Yellowstone National Park, which is valid for 7 days and also grants access to Grand Teton National Park just 31 miles away, if you are considering visiting both. Read More: Best Places to Stay in Yellowstone. However, the credit card information that we publish has been written by experts who know these products inside out, and what we recommend is what we would (or already) use ourselves. Dont miss Artist Point and Upper Falls Viewpoint. This post may contain affiliate links, where I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. At 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone National Park is massive. Cody is famously home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which can easily take two days to see completely. Get your America the Beautiful Pass now for only $80. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-94790946', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yellowstone? Keep your eyes peeled for bison, bears, coyotes, and even wolves! Scope Rental. Yellowstone National Park is a top-rated summer destination (and for a good reason!). If you must come in summer, avoid the crush of traffic by visiting outside the parks busiest hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., arriving strategically late or as early as 6 a.m., when wildlife is out, and roads and boardwalks are clear. After seeing Grand Prismatic from above, you can get an up-close look by walking the Midway Geyser Basin. The 6.8-mile hike starts at Dunraven Pass and takes you to the summit of Mount Washburn, standing at 10,200 feet. Without summers endless crowds to contend with, those that brave winters elements might also discover the only ones they have to share Yellowstone with are the non-hibernating wildlife. Editorial Disclosure:The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. Since the tourism season is relatively short, youll likely encounter heavy crowds when visiting in summer. Continue past Biscuit Basin to the Fairy Falls Trailhead. With fewer than 1,000 daily visitors, this is the time to visit for unparalleled solitude. Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers particularly like February because it marks the start of mating season for the wolves, when they become much more active and easier to spot against Yellowstones stark white landscape. Temperatures are still brisk highs only reach the mid-40s, with lows in the 20s which keeps crowds at bay. December is the least visited month in Yellowstone National Park. If youre heading to Grand Teton next, consider heading down and spending the night there. For an extra cool nighttime visit in winter, check out the Steam, Stars and Winter Soundscapes Tour snowcoach experience. Temperatures continue to drop into the lower 50s, and nights are even chillier in the low 20s. If you dont mind a bit of extra driving, stay at the same place you choose for night one! Beyond that, the biggest expenses you will incur are gas andhotel or campsite nightly fees. If crowds are your nightmare, avoid July and August at all costs the 2 busiest months of the year when families are off for the summer and stellar camping conditions attract an overwhelming number of road-trippers and outdoorsy types. Which is the Best? Read our guide that contains reviews of hotels and strategic tips for finding accommodations near major attractions: Travel in USA 2012-2023 All Rights Reserved. The Beartooth Highway, which leads to the Northeast Entrance, is famed for its beauty and is a landmark mountain roadway in the region. Tips for Dealing with Crowds Afternoon: Mammoth Hot Springs. Should I get the America the Beautiful Pass? As for accommodation, Yellowstone offers 12 campsites and a host of lodges with varying nightly fees. Beyond the serious wildlife-watching -- the most serious of which takes place in early spring -- the Lamar River offers opportunities for fly-fishing. The Yellowstone River Picnic area hike gives you the best views of the Yellowstone Canyon. Just have a good time and get early morning starts. It allows you to search across major retailers like Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, and more. Going on a tour in the U.S. National Parks is definitely a wonderful experience. With so many popular sites just off Grand Loop Road, including Grand Prismatic Spring and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, most visitors tend to stay close to the road in an effort to pack the main sights into one or two days. Yellowstone does not offer regular shuttle or train service, so unless you sign up for a bus tour, cars are the main mode of transport here. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Check the geyser prediction schedule the night before to determine when to arrive. Perhaps because the amount of snowfall also doubles, with a monthly average of 9 inches, both the grizzly bears and black bears begin to hibernate at the end of the month and do not remerge from their dens until March. Read more on Boston.com. The. The parks West Entrance is located in Montana, in the town called West Yellowstone, which is particularly convenient for visiting the geyser area, Yellowstone National Park offers eight lodges inside the park, in addition to a dozen campgrounds. Drawing more of the crowds, the popular North Entrance takes you through the famed Roosevelt Arch to Mammoth Hot Springs. A number of first-come, first-served camping sites can also be found outside of Yellowstone, such as in the Shoshone National Forest near the East Entrance and at Hegben Lake near the West Entrance, which also has easy RV camping at Yellowstone Holiday. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-94789760', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yellowstone in a couple weeks Sept 25 -Oct 2 nd which days has the least crowds? Hikers and backpackers will find numerous trailheads dotting the roadside. Visit a national forest. Then, one day 3, youll venture up to the northern part of the park to see Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs. Three days in Yellowstone is enough time to see all the highlights in the park without feeling rushed. We may be compensated when you click on links from one or more of our advertising partners. Grand Teton is connected to Yellowstone via the picturesque John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. Two days gives you enough time to see the most popular destinations. WebThe Canyon route to the West entrance is shorter. Yellowstone is most renowned for its impressive geysers, pools, and hot springs. Because such a monumental amount of snow means roads are near-impossible to keep clear, snowplows sit in their sheds until March, letting winter do its work. How many entrances are there to Yellowstone? For example, in one day, you can see both Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, the most popular spots in Yellowstone. If your itinerary includes staying the night, be sure to check with the venue ahead of time. However, it offers breathtaking mountain views, brings guests to Yellowstone Lake, and can fit nicely into a Wyoming-based itinerary. If youre heading to Grand Teton next, consider staying in Lake Village or Grant Village instead for a shorter drive the next day. To see all of Yellowstone, youll need at least 2 to 3 days to drive throughout the park. Wildlife, healthy and happy after a long summer of feasting and frolicking, are out and about and preparing for winter. Old topic, still valid. In June, temperatures in Yellowstone hover in the high 60s with minimal chance of rainfall. If youre worried about the snow conditions and icy temperatures of November, just wait until December rolls around. Forests and mountains become blanketed in powdery snow, frost from steaming hot springs materializes like tiny crystals on nearby trees, and, when its cold enough, water droplets from erupting geysers freeze in mid-air, putting on a show. Summer is by far the best time to visit Yellowstone. Nearby places of interest outside the park: Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway (0.2 miles), Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center (45 miles), Fort Yellowstone Historic District (5 mi). In Wyoming, the East Entrance gets you close to Yellowstone Lake for boating and fishing, while outside of the park, you can stay in the small frontier town of Cody with its superb Draper Museum of Natural History. are my favorites, both close to all the most popular places to see in the park. Clear skies and minimal humidity also mean you can enjoy incredible views of the parks snow-capped mountains. Expect brisk temps that range from single digits to the low 20s, but also a truly peaceful experience with multicolored hot pools against white snow, bison herds crusted with icicles, and Old Faithful seemingly all to yourself. The most notable feature here is the brightly colored Sapphire Pool. How do you organize your trip information? This month delivers a wallop to Yellowstone: monthly snowfall averages an incredible 72 inches, with an additional 15 inches of rain on top of that. In fact, 3 out of the 4 million tourists Yellowstone welcomes all year thats 75 percent arrive during the summer months. The East Entrance remains open through the summer and generally closes around November, before opening again in May. North Entrance Gardiner, Montana In addition to the four-day suggested Yellowstone itinerary listed above, you can choose your adventure for the final day. Before diving in, here are a few highlights to help you plan your trip: Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, with small portions of the park crossing over into neighboring Idaho and Montana. Also nearby, theres skiing at Big Sky Mountain Resort, with a new Montage Big Sky opening this December. Most roads are closed in winter, though you can visit parts of the park via snowmobiling or guided snowcoach (small bus) tours. That said, winter in Yellowstone can be undeniably beautiful, especially if youre trying to avoid crowds. Compared to other nearby towns, staying here will give you the closest access to the top things to do in Yellowstone. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Grand Loop connects to all five entrances, affording access to every park feature no matter which way you enter. If you are looking for a detailed and tested itinerary to enjoy all the wonders of the park, I recommend you check out this Yellowstone itinerary. Its hard to blame them: The weather is consistently sunny and warm, roads, trails, and facilities are all completely open, and seasonal activities allow tourists to enjoy Yellowstone to its fullest potential. As is the case with the majority of the Yellowstone National Park entrances, the Northeast Entrance is only open seasonally. Be prepared for anything by packing layers for all seasons, no matter where in the park you plan to roam youll thank yourself later. Bears and wolves awaken from hibernation particularly grizzlies around Lamar Valley and can be seen exploring the grounds with newborns in tow. Since then, she's worked as a travel editor at, The Best Ways to Book Cheap Amtrak Train Tickets [Advance Bookings, Rail Passes, and Promo Codes], Dallas Love Field Airport [DAL] Ultimate Terminal Guide, The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone, by Season, The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone, by Interest, The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone for Fall Colors, The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone to See Wildlife, The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone to Avoid Crowds, The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone to Save Money. The first week of the month sees the last of the seasons changing colors. Between October and November, a drastic drop in temperature signals that winter is nearly here. Book ONLY thru Xanterra, the official concessioner at http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com Do NOT book in-park lodging thru a 3rd party as they charge a 10% fee and have horrible cancellation policies. Find a spot to sit, relax, and watch for wildlife. For a family friendly option, see the Old Faithful geyser and nearby Biscuit Basin with its crystal-clear pools, then hop on the Mystic Falls Trailhead for a three-mile roundtrip hike to a 70-foot waterfall. both provide incredible commentary and detail about the history and geology of Yellowstone. Morning: Norris Geyser Basin. You Might Get Tired of Geothermal Features 13. The best way to get to Yellowstone is by flying unless you live within driving distance. While March is still considered winter in this part of the country, April starts to show true signs of spring. Surprisingly, March in Yellowstone tends to receive more snow on average than February. Freezing temperatures, frequent snowfall, hibernating wildlife, and road and facility closures that render much of the park off-limits can be difficult to contend with for all but the most dedicated travelers. 2 choices. Check the weather as well as the parks social media channels or website for the latest on park hours, conditions, and road closures, which change by season and sometimes at a moments notice. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice. the west entrance? - Yellowstone National However, there are ideal windows to visit if youre searching for something specific say, fewer crowds, lower rates, or better weather. End your time here at the Old Faithful Inn (you can watch Old Faithful erupt from the lodges deck!)