Yellowstone weather

[Livies_Dad]

Planning a trip out West arriving that area (Yellowstone) mid September.
I checked the weather now and they are still having some snow and some nights in the teens.Other than cool weather is that too late in the year to spend about 3 wks there?Plan to hit all the usual spots-Mt Rushmore,Badlands,Jackson Hole Etc.

[WA7NDD]

We live 90 miles from the west entrance of Yellowstone, and been there many times. We were there last September, weather was nice, but below or close to freezing at night. The weather changes fast here in eastern Idaho, and faster in the park. September would be a roll-of-the-dice as far as weather goes.

We like to go just after the park opens very few people, mostly locals, and see the orange colored buffalo caves. Seems to be more animals moving around also. Not like the old days when the bears would give your car a big hug, have not seen a bear on the road in years. Have seen two people rubber necking, drive off the road into the river, one on a motorcycle with a kid on the back, the other was a van. There was a Ranger in front of us when the motorcycle went off, the river was only about four foot deep. He probably got a ticket for polluting, they get very unhappy about that sort of thing.

One other tip: Don't go buzzing around a blind bend in the road, take it slow. There is a good chance some guy was not thinking and stopped in the middle of the road to look at an animal, and you'll suck-up the seat cover when you find him, or worse.

[tomgardner1]

My wife and I have worked in the YNP for three summers. September is a good time to go because many of the summer tourists have left. Traffic congestion goes way down. The animals come down from higher elevations to fatten up for the winter. You have a good chance of seeing wolves and bears. I would recommend parking your RV in Mammoth for warmer temperatures. Fishing Bridge for hookups. Fishing is hot at that time. Take a good pair of binoculars. Have fun.

[Jim_Shoe]

Grandpa Joe wrote:
Been there 4 times, like to go late May, Early June. Not crowded and the baby bison are really funny to watch. You may get some rain and light snow in the north part but sure beats the crowds.

Agree. There's a noticeable increase in crowds when school is out for the summer.

[Grandpa_Joe]

Been there 4 times, like to go late May, Early June. Not crowded and the baby bison are really funny to watch. You may get some rain and light snow in the north part but sure beats the crowds.

[littlemo]

We've been there is September and it is wonderful! Less crowded and animals seem more active. It did snow but nothing that wasn't manageable.

[Jim_Shoe]

Here's the scoop on YNP weather averages over the past 107 years.

[tatest]

The first time we visited, some 50 years ago, it was just before Labor Day and it was t-shirt weather. We had come down from 100+ temperatures in the Missoula-Superior area. Day we left Yellowstone, stopped overnight in Cody to horrific thunderstorms. Yellowstone had gotten half a foot of snow, and our family in Superior were snowed in for a couple of days, foot to a foot and a half. Then it got warm again.

So I would say September weather in Yellowstone is "changable" as need be your plans. It is really difficult to predict the first and last of winter storms in high country, as the first storm is often well before winter setting in, and the last can be well into what looked like Spring.

[ron_dittmer]

You will be fine in September in all places you mentioned. As others mentioned, weather is always unpredictable. Any snow would most likely melt away completely during the day and immensely add to the scenery, your experience. Just count on your furnace for some below freezing nights. Daytime will likely be jacket weather. It is actually a great time to travel to the places you mentioned. It is my favorite time of year for that, after all the families return home and the kids back in school. I'd go out there in September in a jiff. Do you have room for one more? Ha, ha.

[bsinmich]

Weather is always unpredictable in Yellowstone. We were there on Father's Day (June) 10 years ago and could not see Old Faithful due to a blizzard that blocked all viewing. We also found the Beartooth Pass closed at the same time.

[pauldub]

If you have to have hookups, that is only available at Fishing Bridge which closes on 9/21. Mid-September is a bit late for most folks in Yellowstone. I'd probably shoot for mid-August myself. Most of the park is above 7,000 feet.

[PghBob]

Mornin'.

Weather in YNP is unpredictable any time of year. According to YNP web, it can and does snow in YNP any month of the year. For each of the last 2 years, we were there in June and both years we had overnight temps. of 34 degrees and freeze warnings. Once when we out there near the end of June, it snowed enough for my kids to build a snowman, and we were officially closed off in our over-night area and not permitted to leave by Rangers until roads were cleared.

Last year a good friend of mine planned a mid-September visit to YNP & Jackson. I told him about the weather and he planned for the possibility of snow. Good thing, because they were not able to do everything they wanted because of an early snow closing some roads and passes. But, they had a plan B.

So bottom line from this periodic visitor to YNP, go and enjoy. But, plan for the worse and hope for the best. Cold weather and snow are probable but not a sure thing.

The weather in Jackson is similar to YNP, so the advice is the same.

Have a great time!

Bob

[TucsonJim]

September is a great time to go! Lots of school children are back in school, so it's not quite so crowded. And as mentioned above, the elk are in the middle of their rutting period. It is quite common to see two bull elk fighting over the cows. Just be careful to keep you distance from them. They get mad at the slightest provocation and will not hesitate to fight you too.

[CloudDriver]

Opening/closing dates for Yellowstone Park campgrounds here.

Only time we visited Yellowstone in September was in 2007. Hadn't snowed yet when we left on Sept 20th.

That time of year is great for seeing Elk and Moose with full racks of antlers. The bull Elk with be bugling to attract mates, a sound of wilderness that you will never forget.