Worth stopping in Yellowstone Park at end of October?

Me Again wrote:
22 degrees here in Ely, Nv this morning. First experience with cold weather and new trailer. Left the fireplace on heat last night and furnace on 57 degrees. Furnace came on a few times during the night.

Get South Bear! Chris

We wll be heading south at the end of October. Going to give Yellowstne a pass, but there are lots of other places we want to see so looking forward to the trip.

22 degrees here in Ely, Nv this morning. First experience with cold weather and new trailer. Left the fireplace on heat last night and furnace on 57 degrees. Furnace came on a few times during the night.

Get South Bear! Chris

East entrance was closed this AM (Cody). Sylvan Pass was closed for several hours for snowfall. Beartooth was closed also, according to Billings paper, re-opening time unknown. My bet is that it is done for the year!

bjbear wrote:
Can anyone tell me if there is any point in stopping at Yellowstone during the last week of October, first week of November on our way down to Arizona? Or is it too late in the year to see anything.

Little late. See you at CVRVR. We are due the 6th. Chris

Looks like there is about 6 inches of snow at Old Faithful this morning. I still see a few people out looking at the thermal features though.

Here's the park's web site. Most roads will be closed around early November. If it's not too far out of your way and the weather reports look favorable, definitely go. West Yellowstone is open all year because that's where the snowmobile trips originate.

Mammoth campground in the park is open year-round. Come prepared with full water tank and empty grey/black as the water might be turned off throughout the park.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm

Rump seasons are our favorites. We were through there in mid September and it was still a bit busy. Weather is chancy by end of October but check the forecasts. Probably still have Elk bugling up around Mammoth. The opportunity to enjoy it without traffic jams and bus loads of tourists from around the world is too good to pass up. One year we woke to fresh snow in mid September and it was magnificent. Snow covered bison just like in the travel photos.

bjbear wrote:
Can anyone tell me if there is any point in stopping at Yellowstone during the last week of October, first week of November on our way down to Arizona? Or is it too late in the year to see anything.

From the Roads info page

Roads closing:
October 11: Dunraven Pass (Tower Fall to Canyon); Beartooth Pass (US 212 to Red Lodge, Montana) closed
November 7: All roads except the road between the North Entrance and the Northeast entrance close at 8:00 am

It is well worth the stop if sites are available and on or near your route. Yes stuff is closed and crowds are small. Critters are out all year except for bears and some small stuff like Picas. The wolves will have moved more northerly within the park and may be hard to find. Other big guys are out and about. Lots of elk near Old Faithful geyser. OF Lodge may be closed but the Snow Lodge will be open. Be careful and head the weather reports as the snows can be heavy in that time frame.

We have been to YNP several times, so we would definitely stop again if we were in the area. The reasons to visit will still be there. Pay particular attention to the weather, it can snow in YNP any month, and I believe it snowed there this July at elevations above 10,000 feet. We were snowed in for a day one year in June, Park Rangers would not allow travel until the roads cleared.

As noted by others, things will be closing up by around mid-October, in and around the park. Make sure you are well stocked-up with food and water, and make sure there is ample cold weather gear on board.

Wish I was going with you. Have a great trip!