Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872, when President Ulysses S. Grant set the land apart “as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” This vast natural space of over 2 million acres has served exactly that purpose for over 150 years now.
But Yellowstone isn’t just an attraction for summering tourists. Year round, the national park offers unique natural wonders and wildlife that change with the seasons.
Here’s what you can expect season by season at Yellowstone and its surrounding areas:
Spring
Average Temperatures:
- March: 37 F High, 10 F Low
- April: 46 F High, 20 F Low
- May: 58 F High, 29 F Low
In the springtime, Yellowstone begins to thaw after a long winter. Wildflowers burst from the snow. All snow activities continue through April (depending on the elevation), but wildlife begins to emerge from winter hibernation. Bears come out of their dens, birds return, bison are calving. Even squirrels, marmots and frogs make their appearances. The wildlife will be in full emergence.
The lighter tourist traffic in spring allows you to take the park at your own pace, seeing the new cycle of life being born as the park comes out of winter. Hiking picks back up after the winter sometime in April, and fishing returns Memorial Day weekend; fish are abundant in the swelling rivers and lakes. Starting near the end of May, you can bike against the backdrop of the Teton Mountain Range and raft the rapids of the Snake River.
Summer
Average Temperatures:
- June: 68 F High, 36 F Low
- July: 78 F High, 41 F Low
- August: 76 F High, 39 F Low
Summer is Yellowstone’s high season, with 70 percent of visits occurring in the months of June, July and August. All the park’s activities are in full swing, and Yellowstone is buzzing with life. Geysers are gushing, waterfalls rushing and bison grazing.
To navigate the crowds and traffic jams, it’s important to have your reservations and plans set before you visit: Backroads has you covered! Enjoy hiking, biking, rafting and kayaking as well as the usual wildlife-watching on our multi-adventure journeys. Start in Jackson, Wyoming for a rapids rafting run, then hike to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Kayak across Yellowstone Lake and ride horses with Montana wranglers.
With over 40 years of experience taking guests to Yellowstone, Backroads has it figured out, with itineraries intended to get you away from the crowds and trips designed for every age group and activity level.
Notably, trout are spawning, elk and bighorn sheep are calving and wildflowers are blooming. The songbirds are in full song, and the waterfalls are flowing at full volume. During summer, Yellowstone is in full action. A summer trip to Old Faithful or Mammoth Hot Springs in the world’s oldest national park is something the family will never forget.
Fall
Temperatures:
- September: 64 F High, 30 F Low
- October: 51 F High, 22 F Low
- November: 34 F High, 12 F Low
As summer visitations slow, fall at Yellowstone doesn’t! While camping and boating services close for the season in mid-September, hiking, backpacking, fishing and wildlife-watching are all still active through October.
The elk season is at its peak, black and grizzly bears begin their migration to lower ground and become more visible and raptors take to the skies for their migration. In November, bison begin their migration to lower elevations and bighorn sheep rut (mating) season is at its peak. In dramatic displays of dominance, rams will compete for ewes to mate.
The park glows in amber, gold and crimson as fall foliage is in full color. Enjoy the brisk mornings and afternoon sun at Yellowstone in fall.
Winter
Temperatures:
- December: 24 F High, 2 F Low
- January: 24 F High, 1 F Low
- February: 30 F High, 3 F Low
The winter season may have the lowest tourist visitation at Yellowstone, but it is chock-full of activities and attractions that are not to be missed. Access to the interior of the park (e.g., Old Faithful, Grand Canyon) is restricted to snow coaches and snowmobiles and some facilities are closed, so it's important to plan a winter trip carefully. With Backroads, we have all of your transportation, hotels and activities organized for you!
Animals like coyotes, wolves, and foxes don’t shy away from the cold, often hunting in the snow-covered meadows throughout the park. Wildlife-watching is still a popular activity in the winter season, where visitors can see the white winter coats of animals grown in for the season. Old Faithful still faithfully erupts and Mammoth Hot Springs are still hot, but you’ll see them against a peaceful winter landscape with the gentle crunch of snow under your boots.
On the Backroads Yellowstone & Tetons Snow Adventure Tour, you can explore the idyllic snowy park by snowshoe and snow coach, keeping an eye on that winter wildlife! Starting in Bozeman, Montana, we’ll get the full experience of Yellowstone’s surrounding areas as well, with Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks almost entirely to ourselves. Enjoy the nearly empty national park and bring your winter coats!
