best month of year to visit yellowstone

Hi, we are very interested in visiting Yellowstone N.P. Would early Sept be okay or is it getting too cold there then?

best month of year to visit yellowstone

Kanga -- you already know we think September is the best time to visit. But you need to remember that most people will not have multiple trips to the park to give you the background you are hoping for.

Late August, for most people, would probably be the best. We live close enough to come often (we go to the park every two years) %26amp; we chose mid Sept as our favored time to visit. But, you will need to plan appropriately %26amp; that%26#39;s the tough part for many tourists.

I once had to lend my windshield scraper to a tourist from Georgia wearing Burmuda shorts in the park. They had no idea that we could have light snow and frost %26amp; were not prepared %26amp; not dressed appropriately. You can%26#39;t enjoy the time, if you don%26#39;t have some gloves, hats, layers, jackets and a willingness to enjoy it whatever comes. I didn%26#39;t mean to scare you away from Yellowstone, but I also want you to be prepared, so you do enjoy it!

best month of year to visit yellowstone

We are spending 7 days in the park in early September. It%26#39;s that good!

We visited in September 2005. Arrived in Jackson with temps in the 80%26#39;s and it dropped overnight to the 40%26#39;s with snow next morning - it was still very beautiful and we coped!

On our first morning in Yellowstone it was cool and we needed coats, we heard there had been snow the day before which had caused a few problems, but the next day was beautiful sunshine and we were in tshirts and shorts for the rest of our week.

Before our visit we heard of people visiting in July and having snow - the weather is really unpredictable. Last year (I believe) was very hot most of the summer.

This year we are visiting in June and will go prepared for all weathers. You shouldn%26#39;t let the weather put you off - planning for all weathers is the key to a visit to Yellowstone!

We are lucky to go into Yellowstone frequently. We have two favorite times of the year. Late spring/early summer which can be as late as the second week of June (wildflowers, baby bison and elk, bear cubs, warmer temperatures).

Our other favorite time (hands down) is the middle of September to early October. Traffic is much less than in the summer, the crowds have left. Usually, you will have sunny, warm afternoons and crisp, cool nights. The cooler temperatures and coming winter mean wildlife is on the move, feeding constantly. Bears are at lower elevations. Waterfowl is migrating through. It is great hiking and biking weather.

The only drawback is that services within the Park are more limited. Some of hotels and lodges are closed. We always try to go in and stay at the Lake Hotel in September. Enjoy the sunsets across the lake. It is so relaxing and beautiful!

Best time of the year can be relative as it depends on what you are interested in:

June for lake fishing

July for river fishing

August for general camping and lack of mozzie factor

Sept for fall colors and few less people - but colder