Archive 2018 · Best time to visit Yellowstone

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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Best time to visit Yellowstone

Hi
Any suggestions on what it would be like to visit yellow Stone this month?

Have been planning to go there since a while.
If anyone has been there recently, can you share your experience?

Thanks.

Jul 09, 2018 at 11:26 AM

jakepfaster
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Best time to visit Yellowstone

We made our first trip last year, the week of Memorial Day. Still snow on the peaks, Memorial Day parade in Jackson. GTNP was greening, with flowers blooming. Very manageable crowds, prior to school being completely out. Both places pretty much ours, with very minimal traffic/parking issues, for us as early risers on East Coast time. I can't even imagine summer in Yellowstone, be patient and I would suspect you will be flowing with the herds. And I would bet your chances of some un-obscured photos in some places will be low.

Jul 09, 2018 at 11:52 AM

dalite
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Best time to visit Yellowstone

Any time of the year is fine, but it depends on your available time off. Even winter has its attractions of wildlife and snow scenes. Things to consider: peak season crowds (Summer and Fall), accommodations, etc.

Jul 09, 2018 at 12:34 PM

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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Best time to visit Yellowstone

Thanks for the tips.....
I think I might be dealing with the crowd

Can only visit during school holidays......
Someday I will have to find time off peak just for photography....

Jul 09, 2018 at 12:47 PM

nmguy
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Best time to visit Yellowstone

I was there a couple weeks ago. There was a cold front that came through so it was cool with some rain. I brought mostly shorts, so had to channel my inner UPS driver to stay warm. It was actually warmer in Glacier the following week. I guess bring a variety of clothes is my point.

The place was pretty green, lots of wildlife especially in the northeast corner of the park. The rivers had a lot of water in them.

If you're going to the pool areas north of Old Faithful, they would be good early stops. There were lines to get in by mid morning. There was construction on the road between Mammoth and Norris which caused quite a long wait for us.

Enjoy the trip.
thx,
Glenn

Jul 09, 2018 at 03:19 PM

bflood
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Best time to visit Yellowstone

The park itself - the wildlife, thermals, and landscape - are always good, any time of the year.

Yellowstone is one of the parks that suffers from too much popularity, so be prepared to deal with crowds and traffic.

The two best ways to cope with the crowds is to 1) aim for weekdays rather than weekends (small advantage to weekdays), and 2) get up early. Most tourists don't get up early, so being out at sunrise has its advantages.

Jul 09, 2018 at 10:35 PM

liftedspirit
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Best time to visit Yellowstone

Crowd-wise, July and August will be not so fun. The issue then being finding parking at the turnoffs, etc.

As mentioned previously, arrive at/before sunrise and get to the most popular places by 9 AM.

Jul 15, 2018 at 08:32 AM

Twisties
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Best time to visit Yellowstone

Any time is good. Summer has it's charms.... but be aware that it can snow any day of the year at elevation... Mt Washburn for example.

Summer crowds are mostly an issue right at Old Faithful, but roads can be slow and there are "bear jams." You can certainly get off on your own if you get off the beaten path. One of my faves is West Thumb Geyser Basin, and while I wouldn't expect solitude, it isn't usually all that busy.

Fall is better, though temps are chilly. Fall color usually peaks around the end of September. It's hunting season in WY, so even if the park is not quite so busy, accommodations are still hard to find.

Winter is by far the best, in so far as I am concerned, especially for photography. Winter options include: staying in Gardner and driving the north part of the park on your own. The wolf watchers do this. You'll get great shots of bison, elk and probably bighorn. With the right glass (big glass) you should get some nice wolf shots.

Staying in W. Yellowstone and taking snowmobile tours in.

Staying at Old Faithful and coming in by snowcat.

In winter, the wildlife congregates in the geyser basins, and the snow, ice and steam form amazing landscapes. The park is uncrowded and magical.

Jul 15, 2018 at 09:46 AM

Twisties
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Best time to visit Yellowstone

In the greater Yellowstone area reservations for lodging and tours are necessary year round.

Jul 15, 2018 at 12:13 PM


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