Yellowstone second thoughts.

[wtmtnhiker]

I have a trip out west planned for Mid May to Mid June. Planning on making Yellowstone NP one of my last stops before I head home to NH. Be getting there June 5th and staying through the 10th. I have reservations at Fishing Bridge CG which is inside the park. Reading some recent posts and talking to a few campground owners out there it is anticipated that every day there will be 35,000 people visiting the park. They said there would be a 2 hour line at the gates. Having 2nd thoughts about how enjoyable an experience that would be and thinking that I'll make Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore etc my western most stop and head back to NH.
For those of you who have been to Yellowstone recently does my info sound correct? Did you find that the crowds limited your enjoyment of the park? I don't mind getting up and about early even 5 or 6am if that would make the experience a little less crowded.

[John_S_]

I hope gas prices keep people away for my trip this year.

[dryfly]

One comment on the crowds. I was there in June of last year and the park rangers told us it was a developing into a record attendance year. There were lots of folks everywhere in the park, but seeing everything was very doable.

The traffic on the roads is the worst part, mostly caused by folks that have never seen a buffalo before. Parking at the various attractions was a little tough at times, but with a little patience that too is doable. Once you get out of your vehicle and on the trails, the crowds really don't present that much of a problem.

[dodge_guy]

Great! Hopefully you have better weather than we had. We went in July and the weather was cool and overcast/rain. Only a handful of Bison. Couldn’t see any of the colors of grand prismatic springs.

However we loved the Tetons. As well we seen far more animals. Even had a bear go through the campground.

Enjoy your trip!

[olfarmer]

wtmtnhiker wrote:
Thanks to all for the replies. You have convinced me to go ahead as planned.

Good for you, Yellowstone is the most amazing park in the U.S. in my opinion! I have been there several times, the first as a kid with my folks and the last time was 2019 with my wife. We drove through from the Northwest gate to the east gate with a 30' motor home. I have always been there in the summer and have never seen a mosquito but some say they have. I wish we could go back but at 77 yrs old I doubt we will ever make it. Have fun and enjoy!
Best wishes!

[Bionic_Man]

Our last trip to Yellowstone was either 2018 or 2019. The same time you went. We also stayed in Fishing Bridge.

I don't like crowds, and I didn't like this trip because of it. There were times when the parking lots were so crowded I couldn't find a place to park my DRW truck. You could always tell when the tour busses came as that made some of the board walks crowded enough it was difficult to get around. People would be walking 3 abreast and not willing to move over for someone walking the opposite way.

This was one of the few vacations we actually left a couple days early - because of the crowds.

We will certainly go back - I really like that park. But it will not be in prime season.

[BarabooBob]

Don't miss the opportunity to see Yellowstone. You have reservations. USE THEM. We get up early and get to the fun stuff before most people have finished breakfast. By 11:00, we head back to camp and do it again the next day.

Definitely pack some snacks and bring your own beverages and folding chairs. When you go to Old Faithful, set up your nice comfy chair and let other people fight for the uncomfortable benches. It is a good place to eat your lunch that you brought and watch people.
Please be careful around the critters, they get grumpy when people crowd them. Especially bears and bison.
Try to see Devil's Tower and the Badlands on the way home.
If you drive through the Big Horn Mountains on the way home, I suggest going on either highway 14 or 16 if you have a heavy TT. My TT is light so I go on 14A. They are all beautiful.

[ReneeG]

Agree - early in and you won't be waiting at the gait. We get up early at camp, eat breakfast and head out between 6 or 7am, packing a lunch and snacks. Taking our time touring the park. We live within a 5 hour drive so we like going back year after year.

[bobsallyh]

Durb has it. We usually stay two weeks in the West Yellowstone area. We usually get to the gate by 8:30 or earlier, and go right in. Too many folks stay in the Three Bear Pancake joint soaking in coffee and cakes. Then hit the booth about 10:00. You snooze, you lose! If you're in a rush, don't bother going. Another plus, the last two years there were no bus trips, made it nice. Don't know about this season.

[Durb]

Good things come to those willing to get up in the morning. We have multiple friends with trips scheduled to Yellowstone and are rethinking due to the high price of fuel. Gut feeling many might do the same.

There is a midge hatch early June that many think are mosquitos. The hatch at nearby Henrys Lake is huge.

I've heard Fishing Bridge has undergone some improvements. I would enjoy reading an update after your trip.

[4runnerguy]

wtmtnhiker wrote:
Thanks to all for the replies. You have convinced me to go ahead as planned.

Good choice.

Early June isn't generally so crowded. Seems it takes until nearly July for the worst of the crowds to show up.

Staying in the park alleviates the worst of the "commute" some make into and out of the park every day from West Yellowstone.

I've lost track of how many times I've been there. I'm guessing at least 8 or 10 usually for at least a week at a time. We'll go back again sometime in the next few years. Still so much we haven't seen and done, and of course the old favorites are always great to revisit.

One hint: if you bike at all, even on an e-bike, take them with you. We found ourselves parking in pull-outs along the roads and riding a mile or so to the various parking areas around the geyser basins. You can also ride the old road in the Lower Geyser Basin. Ride out to various spots where there are bike racks then have shorter hikes to see some of the features. We saw so much more and waited for parking spots so much less by using our bikes.

[ReneeG]

dodge guy wrote:
Depends on the time of year and time of day. Longest lines will be from 8am to 2 give or take. We went in July 2017 through the Cody entrance.
If you want no line and a beautiful drive with amazing views go into the park through Redlodge!

Agree here. We always go in September, never waiting too long in line, maybe 3 or 4 cars, to get in and sometimes have had to circle for a spot at a roadside picnic site to eat lunch, but not bad.

[ppine]

Maybe you can go to Ystone a little earlier. Spring is the time to see the babies. I especially like the little red bison calves jetting all over the place.

[wtmtnhiker]

time2roll wrote:
5th through the 10th gives plenty of time to mingle with the crowds. Lower loop one day, upper loop the second day, a day to relax or plan a hike or ranger activity, a day to catch anything that was missed or need to see again.

Sounds like a great plan, thanks!

[time2roll]

5th through the 10th gives plenty of time to mingle with the crowds. Lower loop one day, upper loop the second day, a day to relax or plan a hike or ranger activity, a day to catch anything that was missed or need to see again.