The best months to visit Yellowstone are Jun – Sep. 15–27°C, all roads open.
Quick facts
When to go
The world's first national park: a landscape of erupting geysers, rainbow hot springs, roaming bison herds, and wolves howling across vast wild valleys.
Jun – Sep is the busiest window in Yellowstone, so accommodation and flights go first. Book ahead. The shoulder weeks either side are usually quieter for the same reason.
Getting Around in Yellowstone
- A car is essential, as there is no public transport inside the park. Rent in Bozeman, Jackson, or West Yellowstone. Fill up whenever you see a gas station
- Construction delays and bison jams can add 30–90 minutes to drives. Leave early and budget extra time for everything
- Speed limit is 45mph on main roads, 25mph near developments. Rangers ticket aggressively and wildlife can appear on any road at any time
For month-by-month detail, itineraries and costs, see the full Yellowstone travel guide.
Timezone: MT (UTC−7) (MDT in summer (UTC−6))
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone?
The best months to visit Yellowstone are Jun – Sep (15–27°C, all roads open), which makes for the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing and getting around. For what a trip costs day to day, see the Yellowstone budget breakdown.
