Idaho · Montana · Wyoming · National Park
Best time to visit Yellowstone
Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Source: NPS + NOAA
Yellowstone has no month that is both mild (average high 50 to 85°F) and below the average monthly visits, so pick between weather and crowds. July is busiest, with 20% of 2025 recreation visits. November was quietest, with an average high of 32°F. Sources: NPS IRMA Stats and NOAA normals, checked Oct 26, 2026.
Crowd index by month
Each bar is that month’s NPS recreation visits compared with the average month of 2025 (100 = average). July scored 246; November scored 7.
Source: NPS IRMA Stats, recreation visitors, 2025, pulled Oct 26, 2026. Index = month ÷ average month × 100.
Weather normals by month
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip in | Crowd index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.0 | 1.0 | 1.80 | 10 |
| February | 26.1 | 0.9 | 1.70 | 11 |
| March | 34.7 | 7.7 | 1.90 | 8 |
| April | 40.9 | 16.6 | 2.28 | 20 |
| May | 50.6 | 26.3 | 2.35 | 143 |
| June | 61.1 | 33.0 | 2.38 | 234 |
| July | 72.2 | 38.7 | 1.51 | 246 |
| August | 70.7 | 37.0 | 1.34 | 222 |
| September | 60.5 | 30.3 | 1.57 | 212 |
| October | 45.5 | 21.8 | 1.85 | 79 |
| November | 32.0 | 11.0 | 2.06 | 7 |
| December | 23.3 | 2.7 | 2.35 | 9 |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (monthly), station USW00094173. The station may sit at a different elevation than the places you visit, so expect cooler temperatures higher up.
Closures and seasonal dates
| Campground | Closed from | Until |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge Bay Campground | Sep 14, 2026 | May 14, 2027 |
| Grant Village Campground | Sep 27, 2026 | Jun 25, 2027 |
| Fishing Bridge RV Park | Oct 18, 2026 | May 7, 2027 |
| Madison Campground | Oct 18, 2026 | Apr 30, 2027 |
| Canyon Campground | Sep 20, 2026 | May 28, 2027 |
| Lewis Lake Campground | Oct 12, 2026 | Jun 14, 2027 |
| Indian Creek Campground | Sep 15, 2026 | Jun 11, 2027 |
| Tower Fall Campground | Sep 28, 2026 | May 21, 2027 |
| Slough Creek Campground | Oct 13, 2026 | Jun 14, 2027 |
Park Closure Biscuit Basin Closed Due to Hydrothermal Explosion
The parking lot, boardwalk, and Firehole River at Biscuit Basin, located north of Old Faithful, is closed to all travel until further notice due to the possibility of another event at the site of a hydrothermal explosion that occurred July 23, 2024. Details on nps.gov
Source: NPS API campgrounds and alerts, checked Oct 26, 2026.
Hours
Yellowstone is open daily, year-round, although activities and services are limited at night and certain times of year. The park has five entrance stations, but not all entrance stations are open year-round. Make sure to carefully read about access at each station at different times of year. And remember, all dates are weather-dependent. Please note that camping is possible only in designated campgrounds.
Source: NPS API operating hours, checked Oct 26, 2026.
More on Yellowstone: tour or DIY overview. TourOrDIY is independent and not affiliated with the National Park Service. See the accuracy disclaimer and our method.