Too late for Yellowstone?
DW and I would like to go to Yellowstone for a week in early October. Is early October too late for Yellowstone snow wise? Also, any recommendations for RV park would be appreciated. Thanks.
Forum Discussion
Paul1944 wrote:
DW and I would like to go to Yellowstone for a week in early October. Is early October too late for Yellowstone snow wise? Also, any recommendations for RV park would be appreciated. Thanks.
NOPE!
Best week we ever had in Yellowstone was last week of October First week of November - Few People - No Services - Animals everywhere - if you get just a little lucky 25-35 at night and 60-70 when the Sun's out - Sky is a Blue as it can be ..............
So GO.
Take Pictures and then Post them so we can all See How it Was.
Best of Luck,- Moved from General RVing
vjstangelo wrote:
Go for it. Enter on the north via Gardner and stay at Mammoth campground. The Lamar Valley road will stay open year round as they plow it to keep access to Cooke City. You may want to verify this...
The Lamar Valley road to Cooke City is open all year and that is one of the most beautiful drives. They keep it open or Cooke City would die and it is known as one of the best snowmobile places in the world. I think you can go to Cody from there until you can't.
The Mammoth Campground is open all year also. The lodge closes here soon until Xmas time.ppine wrote:
If you are hardy, stay in W Yellowstone with hookups and commute to the Park. I love the fall and it is the best time for seeing wildlife and many fewer humans.
X2. Check out Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone. About a mile from the entrance. Nice CG.
We were there in July for 2 weeks. Getting a bit chilly now but should still have a lot to offerppine wrote:
If you are hardy, stay in W Yellowstone with hookups and commute to the Park. I love the fall and it is the best time for seeing wildlife and many fewer humans.
X2. Check out Grizzly RV Park. About a mile from the entrance. Nice CG- If you are hardy, stay in W Yellowstone with hookups and commute to the Park. I love the fall and it is the best time for seeing wildlife and many fewer humans.
- Go for it. Enter on the north via Gardner and stay at Mammoth campground. The Lamar Valley road will stay open year round as they plow it to keep access to Cooke City. You may want to verify this...
- Closing dates for Yellowstone roads are Oct.9th for Dunraven Pass and the Beartooth Highway. On Oct 15th Fishing Bridge (the bridge and road, not the campground, it is already closed) will close for replacement. That means you will no longer be able to access the loop roads from Cody.
If I was me, I would absolutely make the trip if it was a one day drive and you were willing to accept the fact you might be stuck for a day or two should weather move in and you are comfortable dealing with below freeing temperatures and snow covered roadways. If it was a two or three day trek, and it was your vacation for the year I say it is way too late in the season to risk a trip. As others have mentioned, it isn't only the park that is closing down, it is all the businesses in the surrounding communities are closing as well. For some, it's goodbye till next year. For others, it's a breather before they have to scale up for Snowmobile season (West Yellowstone) or Ski Season (Jackson Hole).
I also would only consider full hookups. If the weather turns cold, dry camping will tax your RV heating and plumbing systems. It might be a long drive to find a propane refill in October. Your best bet is going to be West Yellowstone. There are a couple of parks that stay open into Mid October. But I think you will strike out if you want to stay into late October. Even the late closing parks are going to be closed up tight, for good reasons. - October temps in October--Average hi 48 degrees average low temp 28 degrees. Snow can happen on any day. Almost everything is shutting down except Mammoth and Old Faithful.
- And the days are so much shorter.
