Yellowstone National Park
The months in gold are when the weather, the crowds and the prices work out best.
Yellowstone is absolutely worth visiting if you want to see active geysers and wild herds of bison up close. Go between June and September for reliable weather and open roads. Allow at least four days to cover the main driving loops without spending your entire trip rushing through traffic.
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Four days is the minimum to see both loops without exhaustion.
Most people fly into Bozeman or Jackson Hole and rent a car.
An entrance pass is required, which you can buy online or at the gate.
In-park lodging prices double if you do not book a year in advance.
The Reality of the Loop Roads
Expect to spend hours in your car. The park is laid out around two large loop roads, and traffic moves slowly due to low speed limits, heavy RV traffic, and wildlife delays. If a bison decides to stand in the middle of the asphalt, you will wait.
The hydrothermal areas smell strongly of sulfur. Boardwalks keep you safe from boiling, acidic ground, but they get very crowded during the middle of the day. To escape the crowds, you only need to walk half a mile down almost any dirt trail, as most visitors never leave the paved paths.
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When to Go
June through September is the only window when all park roads, visitor centers, and campsites are fully open. July and August bring the warmest weather, but they also bring the heaviest crowds and packed parking lots at major sights.
September offers a quieter experience. The weather gets cooler, nights are cold, and the fall colors start to show. Early June is also good, though some high-altitude trails might still be blocked by winter snow.
The Booking Trap and Scale
Many travelers underestimate the sheer size of the park. It takes hours to drive from one side to the other. Staying outside the park boundary in gateway towns saves money but adds up to two hours of driving to your day.
If you want to stay inside the park, you must book nearly a year in advance. Waiting until the last minute means paying double the standard rate or getting stuck with long daily commutes.
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In-park lodging rates double if not booked a year ahead.
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The background
Yellowstone National Park is a national park of the United States located mainly in the northwest corner of the state of Wyoming, with small portions extending into Montana and Idaho. The park is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially the Old Faithful geyser, one of its most popular. While it represents many types of biomes, subalpine forest is the most abundant. It is part of the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion. Native Americans have lived in the Yellowstone region for at least 11,000 years. While non-native mountain men visited during the early-to-mid-19th century, organized exploration by non-natives did not begin until the late 1860s. It was established by the 42nd U.S. Congress through the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. Yellowstone was the first national park in the US, and is also widely understood to be the first national park in the world. Management and control of the park originally fell under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the first Secretary of the Interior to supervise the park being Columbus Delano. However, the U.S. Army was eve
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Questions people ask
Is Yellowstone expensive to visit?
A typical day costs around 220 USD. You can keep costs down by camping or booking your lodge a year ahead, as last-minute in-park rooms are highly marked up.
Can you see Yellowstone in one day?
No, one day is not enough. The park is vast and speed limits are low. You will spend most of your day driving and miss the majority of the sights.
What is the best month to visit Yellowstone?
September is often considered the best month. The summer crowds have thinned, the weather is cool, and the wildlife is highly active.
Do I need bear spray in Yellowstone?
Yes, carrying bear spray is highly recommended if you plan to hike. Both grizzly and black bears live here, and you should know how to use the spray before heading out.
Where should I stay when visiting Yellowstone?
Staying inside the park saves hours of driving but requires booking a year early. Otherwise, look for lodging in West Yellowstone or Gardiner.
Is it safe to walk near the geysers?
It is safe only if you remain on the wooden boardwalks. The ground in thermal areas is a thin crust over boiling, acidic water, and leaving the path can be fatal.