RMNP & YNP

Roads might not be cleared in early June, depends on the winter snowfall. Yes you better make reservations and the sooner the better. We usually daytrip to the Tetons from YNP.

Early June will have less people, but chancier weather and hiking conditions.
August would be nice weather, but lots more people. If you like hiking, even short hikes, I'd spend at least some time in Grand Teton, not just drive through.

I would say that in August reservations are a must, and do it now. I don't know if early June fills up that much, but reservations now is still not a bad idea even for early June.

Strictly for crowd reasons, go before schools are out for summer or after they begin in the fall. Both times are pretty narrow windows, weather-wise.

I'd shoot for the last 2 weeks of August. Lot of families curtail their long trips in late August due to schools starting. August would be better weather for sure.

We were in Grand Teton and Yellowstone in mid-July in 2011 and didn't have any problems with campgrounds or hiking on trails (in GTNP only) if we went early in the day. Just did day trips into YNP and that was crowded. If we were to do it again I'd go in late August as I suggested to you.

Safe travels!

Parrothead Mike wrote:
I'd shoot for the last 2 weeks of August. Lot of families curtail their long trips in late August due to schools starting. August would be better weather for sure.

We were in Grand Teton and Yellowstone in mid-July in 2011 and didn't have any problems with campgrounds or hiking on trails (in GTNP only) if we went early in the day. Just did day trips into YNP and that was crowded. If we were to do it again I'd go in late August as I suggested to you.

Safe travels!

+1 on this, particularly as it relates to RMNP. Weather is much better in August, and at least locally, most of the schools are back in session, so you don't have the local family population there quite as much.

This past season, RMNP/Trail Ridge Rd didn't open until the weekend before Memorial Day, and closed several times due to adverse weather, fully opening in June. Lots of snow up there for winter 2013. And that snow doesn't melt quickly on the hiking trails. Some of them didn't fully open until late June/early July. By August, the snow will have melted, the flowers will be in full bloom and it's just a beautiful time of year to spend in Rocky.

Thanks everyone! So that was our concern for June, the weather. So we will just go in Aug. Maybe we can do without reservations. We hate reservations cause then you have a time line. Thanks again!

caysea7254 wrote:
Thanks everyone! So that was our concern for June, the weather. So we will just go in Aug. Maybe we can do without reservations. We hate reservations cause then you have a time line. Thanks again!

If you're looking to stay in one of the campgrounds in RMNP, you'll need reservations, particularly at Moraine Park CG, even if you arrive during the week. It's very popular, pretty much til first snow closes all but one loop. And one loop is first come/first served; they frequently have a waiting line. Glacier Basin CG can be a better choice for inside the park.

Private campgrounds in Estes Park will likely have availability if you arrive during the week. Weekends almost always require reservations for most of the commercial campground in town.

The only unknown for the upcoming 2015 season is the Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake, as well as at East Portal. Larimer County Parks will not be running the show in 2015, the Town of Estes Park is taking over and there is absolutely no information available that I've been able to find, about any changes that may occur in 2015. It's a good, bare bones campground and nearly always has spots available during the week. Will probably have to wait til after the first of the year to get any info on it's future.

I'd recommend the last two weeks of August. Many schools begin in August in the western states.

For your first stop in Rocky Mtn. in August reservations are recommended if you want to stay in the park itself. Rocky is close to a large population center so it's really crowded. If you want to stay in Estes private parks, getting there early morning would probably get you a site without reservations. Moraine or Glacier Basin (we volunteered there) are very nice campgrounds in the park with great views and close to nice hiking - some easy. They're also close to Estes for trinket shopping. :) 3-4 days would be ideal.

Grand Teton Nat'l Park is altogether different than Yellowstone and it's too far to travel back and forth. It's like a miniature Alps. Plan on staying in the Tetons at least 2-3 nights. If you can, take a gentle guided float trip through the park on the Snake River and you just might see moose in the river with you. The hikes are gorgeous and there are many nice easy ones. Colter Bay campground and Gros Ventre campground (our favorite) in the park itself each have 300 unreservable sites. You'll definitely get a site without reservations, especially if you stay nearby the previous night and pull in during the morning. Never try to get a site in the national parks by pulling in the afternoons. It's possible, but more difficult.

Yellowstone isn't noted for day hiking for most folks because the park requires a lot of driving although you'll be doing a lot of walking just to see the geysers/mud pots, etc. We've always had good luck getting a site at Mammoth campground even with our 40' motorhome. Again, get there early morning. Plan at least 3-4 days in Yellowstone.

Have fun planning!

Thanks again for all the info, very appreciated.:)

Former 31 year resident of Estes Park and professional guide in Rocky. Most points have been covered. But I'll put my two cents worth in. In heavy snow years many trails are still snow packed in early June which is bad for bad knees. Trail Ridge Road can close due to storms. Crowds are not as bad. Summer flowers are not out yet. If you want to stay in the Park, reservations are needed. In dry years last two weeks of August can be pretty brown. Summer flowers mostly gone. Weekday crowds are not as bad as school has started or about to. June would be my pick.

As for Grand Teton, there are many short loop hikes along the base of the Tetons. These are flat which is good for bad knees and the views are nice. Also, a raft trip through the Park is worth a day. Do the early morning trip since you have a better chance of seeing animals. There just aren't many easy hikes. The ride up the ski gondola is worth it since you can catch a couple trails from the top.