YELLOWSTONE-best time to go
 

Planning next years vacation to Yellowstone. dont want to go when there is a big tourist crush but dont want to freeze/short daylite hrs or not be able to take a raft trip. Any suggestions? Thanx, Dreamer

Regarding big tourist crush - we were there in August last summer - I would not consider number of other visitors we encountered a "tourist crush" even during this peak vacation time. Certain places, like Old Faithful, had lots of people, but there are enough places to go within huge Park that we did not find it crowded.

That said, I would consider June or September if you want even fewer people - we like many are limited to summer vacations, so that is when we went. Even in August we had frost on our windshield on a few mornings.

My sis just got back from Yellowstone on Monday and sent me her pictures of the most spectacular wildflowers - all shapes, colors, sizes, seemingly blooming everywhere. So I'd vote for July.

The best time we found after travelling all over the US is September/October.For us it's easy because we're retired.Paul

September is a great time to avoid crowds and see wildlife but unpredictable weather at those elevations can imact your trip. I once woke up to 14 inches of snow in Yellowstone in the middle of September when there was no forecast for it the day before!! If you have a very specific, limited amount of time to be there, I'd say go at a time when the weather is more predictable, even if you might have to deal with crowds. If you are very flexible, then go for September.

If you want assured really good weather- July- after the 4th but before August. Probably best time for raft trip. Otherwise- before memorial day, after labor day. Like Gail said- no real crush except pop. sights like old faithful- AND campgrounds!! I've had a really hard time getting into National parks CG's during the summer. No prob. in spring and fall.

Oh and- not sure how it is at Yellowstone during the fall- but in Northern Idaho, weather turns winter- FAST. So, don't go past early October, if you "don't want to freeze/short daylight hours". Beautiful anytime of the year, though!

Good luck!

Weather in Yellowstone in May and late September - early October can be cool.
I think that aspect of the timing depends on your tolerance for extremes.

July and early August can be very hot. I have spent a couple of miserable nights in some of those accommodation holes that Xanterra calls a room.

I find early June and mid September to be the best times, but temperatures can be a little on the cool side at times.
That does not usually bother me because the lowest readings are at night.

We just enjoyed a 2-week trip to Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota. (We flew into Billings, MT and rented a car.)

Yellowstone was definitely the "jewel" of the trip, for all that we saw there, but the Tetons are majestic and lovely as an entity, as was Devil's Tower, WY.

Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse were... okay. To be honest, we later decided we'd not have missed much had we skipped them! We took photos and they look like... well... pictures everyone else has taken, and like the ones in magazines.

For our money, we felt late May and early June (which was when we chose to go) was the best time, for several reasons.

The YOUNG animals are around then. For example, in Yellowstone, you'll see small, light brown bison frolicking with adults; bear cubs, perhaps; and more.

Animals are EVERYWHERE in Yellowstone. They are not tame, but are used to people and cars, so they tend to wander all over the place. Bison (buffalo) are apt to stroll right into the road in front of your car, so be prepared and GO SLOW.

During the 3 days we were in or around Yellowstone, we saw bison and elk ALL the time, a mama black bear and her cubs, an eagle up in her nest feeding her young (in West Yellowstone, right by the side of the road), moose (almost walked into our car), fox, wolves, pelicans in the water (white ones), and more.

Weather can be changeable then, yes. It was in the 80's and warmer many days on our trip, but chilly at night in Ywellowstone -- with SNOW still in the parking lot at Lake when we stayed there Memorial Day weekend! We also drove through a snowstorm Memorial Day weekend, going fropm West Yellowstone up to Bozeman, Montana -- and, in fact, canceled a planned trip to Glacier Park because of that! (They predicted a foot of snow that day up north.)

Write again if you want to discuss more.

Enjoy! It is a GORGEOUS area out there!

Vermonter

By the way, motel rates are cheaper in late May or early June (if you have that choice), and there are definitely a lot fewer cars and tourists all around!

Vermonter

Thank you , everyone. What a wonderful forum this is...PT

Reconsider freezing. We LOVED our visit in March. Take either a snowmobile or a snowcoach tour. You won't believe how much wildlife you will see. And NO crowds.

We closed the park in September and it was just wonderful. Good weather, no crowds and just as beautiful as ever.

We just returned after spending 6 days (July 8-13)in Yellowstone and 3 days in Grand Teton. What one might consider a crowd could be relative, but coming from the big-city east, we found the place nearly deserted. At no time did we have to accomodate what we did or saw due to crowds. Our only impediments were an occasional buffalo or grizzly bear on the road. The weather was near perfect. High 70's during the day and 50's at night - perfect for hiking during the days and sleeping in the park lodges that have no airconditioning. (This was at a time when other areas near us were baking in 100+ temperatures.) The sun set around 9:30 PM and it never really got dark until around 10. Moreover, we had only three hours of rain during the entire six days. All in all, I don't think we could have had nicer weather or better touring conditions at any other time. Good luck with your plans.