Best time to visit Yellowstone National Park

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Yellowstone National Park

Best time of year to visit Yellowstone National Park

Spring and autumn are known for the mild weather and fewer crowds, that's why April to May and September to November is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park. In spring, the weather is unstable, and you need to pack layers. Most roads open by the third week in April, and it's about time to visit unique Isa Lake. Autumn in Yellowstone offers you beautiful orange-yellow foliage, a swim in boiling river, and amusing moose mating season, but most facilities close by early November. Peak season between July and August brings lots of summer activities and perfect weather to visit Grand Prismatic Spring and Morning Glory Pool. However, summertime can be unbelievably busy, so you'd better book your room in advance. Winter in Yellowstone is a harsh and snowy period when some facilities and roads are closed. Anyway, you still have an opportunity to observe migrating bison and wolves, enjoy winter sports, and witness steam rising from the thick blanket of ice and snow and droplets freezing in the air.

29 THINGS TO DO IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (JUNE 13 - JUNE 22)

Morning Glory Pool

Morning Glory Pool

March–November • nature

Stunning beauty of this natural pool is vanishing due to pollution

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring

June–August • nature

As the name implies, this is the largest and possibly the most spectacular hot spring in the USA

Old Faithful Geyser

Old Faithful Geyser

May–October • nature

Don't miss Old Faithful on your trip to Yellowstone!

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

April–October • nature

Smaller than Arizona's Grand Canyon, though no less impressive stretching for more than 30 km

Touring the Grand Loop

Touring the Grand Loop

May–October • nature

Enjoy a scenic drive and explore some of the main highlights of the park during a one-day trip along the loop

Three Waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Uncle Tom's Trail

Three Waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Uncle Tom's Trail

April–October • nature

The park has almost 300 waterfalls to marvel at, but these three are the highest and most powerful

Grizzly Bears

Grizzly Bears

March–early November • nature

The greatest attraction or the greatest risk? Maybe both!

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs

May–October • nature

These amazing colorful hot springs are changing and growing all the time. Come and observe beautiful terraces created by these springs

Fountain Paint Pot

Fountain Paint Pot

April–October (best: April–May) • nature

These colorful boiling pots are one of the park's main attractions

Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding

April–October • activity

The most authentic way to explore the wilderness of Yellowstone Park

Baby Animal Season

Baby Animal Season

April–June • nature

Watch the first moves of new residents to the park

Stargazing

Stargazing

all year round (but the best time is April-October) • nature

Surprise surprise: Yellowstone is awesome not only during the day

Mud Volcano

Mud Volcano

May–October • nature

Unique geothermal features attract visitors to this famous spot

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake

May–October • activity

Large and beautiful, settled in the heart of the park, Yellowstone Lake is a great spot for marveling at the beauty of nature

Beartooth Highway

Beartooth Highway

late May–mid-October • activity

Pass along the highest route in the Northern Rockies

Rafting

Rafting

May–September • activity

The scenic rivers in the park offer great fun during a whitewater rafting adventure

Dunraven Pass

Dunraven Pass

June–September • activity

Take a scenic ride on the highest road in Yellowstone

Black Bears

Black Bears

late March–early November • nature

Smaller and less agressive than grizzlies, black bears can be observed during the daylight

Tower-Roosevelt Area

Tower-Roosevelt Area

May–October • nature

One of the most famous areas in the park features lots of natural and historic sights to explore

Canoeing and Kayaking

Canoeing and Kayaking

May–October • activity

Come and enjoy your favourite summer activity among Yellowstone's beautiful natural scenery

Sleeping Giant Zipline

Sleeping Giant Zipline

mid-June–mid-September • activity

This scenic ride is a fascinating summer activity

Elks

Elks

September–October | May–June • nature

The Elk rut is one reason that draws so many visitors to the park every year during September, and early summer bring elk calves

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn Sheep

May–June | November • nature

Check out the bighorns on the slopes of the mountains

Climbing

Climbing

May–October • activity

Climbing in Yellowstone is diverse and full of excitement. This is a climbing hotspot with hundreds of peaks to conquer!

Cycling

Cycling

mid-March–October • activity

Bicycling is great way to explore the park during the warm months and enjoy all the famous spots and the scenic road itself!

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

mid-May–October • nature

This park is a good place to see water birds, migrating species, and birds of prey

Fishing

Fishing

late May–early November • activity

Spend a day angling in the clear waters of this natural reserve full of great fish

Yellowstone Sand Verbena

Yellowstone Sand Verbena

mid-June–mid-October • nature

If you are looking for some of the rarest plants in the world, there is one in this park. Come and find out about this mysterious flower

Badgers

Badgers

June–September • nature

These little diggers roam around the park but hide quickly and are rather hard to spot

13 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Migrating Bisons

Migrating Bisons

out of rangeDecember–February  • nature

Herds of bison that inhabited the Great Plains of the United States and Canada range from the Great Slave Lake in the north to as far as Mexico

Fall Colors

Fall Colors

out of rangelate September–early October • nature

America's first national park is all dressed up for the fall

Swim in Boiling River

Swim in Boiling River

out of rangemid-July–February • activity

Take a relaxing dip into the warm waters of the Boiling River

Wolves

Wolves

out of rangeNovember–April • nature

Wildlife watching in Yellowstone is really exciting though sometimes a little scary!

Annual Elk Migration

Annual Elk Migration

out of rangelate October–early December | April-May • nature

The annual elk migration takes them to warmer and safer places

Singing Lake

Singing Lake

out of rangeDecember–February • nature

Famous Yellowstone Lake starts to sing when ice reacts to changing temperatures

Moose

Moose

out of rangeSeptember–October • nature

Follow the song of a bull moose during the mating season. But watch out and don't come too close!

Bison Mating Season

Bison Mating Season

out of rangelate July–August • nature

Wild bison roaming around the park are a popular tourist attraction. Their rutting fights are some of the most impressive as well!

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

An exciting way to explore Yellowstone in winter

Yellowstone Ski Festival

Yellowstone Ski Festival

out of rangeNovember 19–27, 2022 • event

Start the skiing season together with thousands of skiing enthusiasts, numerous famous skiers, and lots of events and activities in West Yellowstone

Isa Lake

Isa Lake

out of rangeMarch–May • nature

Located at a high elevation, Isa Lake flows to west and east and makes its path to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. And this happens only at a certain time of the year

Coyotes

Coyotes

out of rangeNovember–May • nature

Meet these predators native to the Yellowstone region

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

Enjoy long and peaceful crisp walks and gorgeous trails with perfect winter views

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