Yellowstone National Park Scheduling

[fairfaxjim]

We are trying to schedule a trip to Yellowstone this year. We would like to go earlier in the season rather than later, but don't know when a good start date might be.

Is early to mid June usually too early? If so, what would be considered a good date to start a week stay? We would like some decent temperatures during the day, and above freezing at night.

Thanks for any insight.

[Ray___June]

We've been in Yellowstone over 75 times in the last 38 years. Temperatures in June can vary from below freezing to around 80 degrees. One year in July, the temperature at Slough Creek hit 103 degrees. We always go over Labor day, and that seems to be the most consistently nice temperatures, with only a couple of years where we have had snow or really cold weather. On the other hand, we've hit hail in July and had the drop to around freezing at night.

Always take layered clothing, and carry extra blankets in the RV and tow or toad.

[tatest]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

How late in the season can one go to Yellowstone? Mid September?

Yellowstone can be visited year-round. In the winter, you visit in winter mode, which involves travel by snow vehicles, rather than taking a RV through the property.

[Cougarnewbie]

We were there in mid Sept. Worst weather we've had of any trip in 20 years. Rain, snow, cold. On the way out we had to lay over in Laramie waiting out the system that caused the floods in Colorado. That should of told us to go back home. But, we have been there in mid Sept when it was 90 degrees. It's a******shoot.

[bigdogger]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

How late in the season can one go to Yellowstone? Mid September?

Mid September is my absolute favorite time. However, I always view October 1 as when you are starting to live on borrowed time before the first big storm of the year socks everything in.

[rr2254545]

I was there this Holloween - many roads close first of November - a little snow but I had it there in May also

[pianotuna]

Hi,

How late in the season can one go to Yellowstone? Mid September?

[noe-place]

We've been a number of times and always in the middle of June with no problems whatsoever. Shorts and short sleeves, no rain, no snow, lots of sun with blue skies.

[Jim_Shoe]

Here's the scoop on weather in Yellowstone, gathered by month for the last 107 years. Pack for anything. In spring and fall, you can go from shirt sleeves to coats in the same day.

[Parrothead_Mike]

Personally I would shoot for mid-June. Schools are just getting out at that point, but you'll be ahead of that crowd and the weather will be that much better. Any earlier and you increase your chances for snowy conditions. Of course there is no guarantee in regard to weather, but the closer to the summer solstice the better.

[enblethen]

Very late May or early June sounds good.
Yes, the weather could be questionable, but well worth going early in the season. New bison, bears, wolves, coyotes and elk
Later in June starts the real season with a lot of vacationers.

[TexasShadow]

Early June is iffy, but the roads will be cleared for getting around the park. There might be a lot of snow still on the ground in places, so take snow boots or waterproof shoes.
Mid June is better, but the crowds will be building.

[rr2254545]

We were there over Memorial Day - had some snow and was cold but lots of animals out and about. We even got preseason rates at Grizzly in West Yellowsone