Best time to avoid crowd in Yellowstone

From November through March, strong winds, frigid weather and freezing temperatures prevent many tourist crowds from visiting Yellowstone. While not all travelers are willing to brave the cold, some do prefer the quiet, beautiful landscape blanketed in white snow and the exotic wildlife creatures. 

However, beware that the harsh cold weather makes driving near Yellowstone dangerous and there is a high risk of car accidents. So, make sure to stay up to date with the of the weather conditions when planning your visit as services are also limited in the winters. Also, check for any possible road closures and availability of services.

Things to do in Yellowstone 

There are plenty of events happening in summer, fall, and winter. During winter, the park has ranger-led snowshoe walks, the Geysers Galore talk, and many other educational activities. In other seasons, there are various guided walks and programs such as the Junior Ranger Wildlife Olympics, etc.

The park is also geothermally active year-round. In winters, the steam from erupting geysers and hot springs makes quite a view against snow-covered fields. The wildlife is majestic during this time, although a little difficult to spot in the fresh blanket of snow, but is totally worth it. 

Weather in Yellowstone

Since Yellowstone is based in a high-elevation mountainous area, the weather can surprisingly vary and remain unpredictable. Considering the weather patterns of recent years, July through September are usually the warmest and driest months of the year. Temperature reaches as high as the 70s in July and August and drops to 60s in September. Temperature in spring and fall is commonly recorded between 30 and 60 degrees. 

In winters, the temperature drops to somewhere between zero and 20 degrees. Due to high elevation, snow is very common at this time of the year. So, tourists and visitors are advised to pack in a few extra warm layers and come prepared with waterproof gear. 

Best time to See Wildlife in Yellowstone

Spring 

Various animals such as elk, bison, bears, and wolves are commonly seen wandering the meadows and valleys in spring, between April and early June.

Summer 

The arrival of summer marks the movement of many species to higher elevated areas in hopes of finding colder habitats to reside in. So, there are fewer animal sightings between mid-June till August.

Fall

During the fall, animals start to return to their original habitats in meadows and valleys, which is usually between September and October. Around this time, many animals such as elks are often seen strutting around each other.

Winters in Yellowstone

If you love spending time in nature and enjoy the beautiful snow-capped mountains, the best time for you to visit Yellowstone is in winters. The winter season lasts from November until March. You can witness the most beautiful wildlife creatures during this time. They remain nearby valleys and are often seen close to geysers and hot springs warming themselves up. Winter is also the best time to see wolves in Yellowstone. 

However, wildlife must be observed from a distance and tourists should act with the utmost care around them. Do not stray close to these animals in attempt of feeding them.

There are not many people around so you can enjoy the calm as well.