Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park
The best months to visit Yellowstone National Park are May and June — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. July is the crowd peak (922,896 monthly visits); November is quietest at 3% of peak.
Planning Yellowstone? Pack a guidebook: Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton on Amazon. · affiliate link, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases
- Stay Away From Bull Elk (Caution)
- Biscuit Basin Closed Due to Hydrothermal Explosion (Park Closure)
- Traffic Delays - Gardner River High Bridge (Information)
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Yellowstone month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Harsh season | 42,153 | 5% | 23°F / 1°F | 1.8″ | 9.2h |
| February | Harsh season | 44,668 | 5% | 26°F / 1°F | 1.7″ | 10.4h |
| March | Shoulder | 33,479 | 4% | 35°F / 8°F | 1.9″ | 11.9h |
| April | Shoulder | 73,470 | 8% | 41°F / 17°F | 2.3″ | 13.4h |
| May | Best window | 508,111 | 55% | 51°F / 26°F | 2.4″ | 14.8h |
| June | Best window | 830,987 | 90% | 61°F / 33°F | 2.4″ | 15.5h |
| July | Peak crowds | 922,896 | 100% | 72°F / 39°F | 1.5″ | 15.2h |
| August | Peak crowds | 820,128 | 89% | 71°F / 37°F | 1.3″ | 14.1h |
| September | Peak crowds | 796,027 | 86% | 61°F / 30°F | 1.6″ | 12.6h |
| October | Shoulder | 302,468 | 33% | 46°F / 22°F | 1.9″ | 11h |
| November | Shoulder | 23,807 | 3% | 32°F / 11°F | 2.1″ | 9.6h |
| December | Harsh season | 33,648 | 4% | 23°F / 3°F | 2.4″ | 8.8h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US (6 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Yellowstone each year
Yellowstone National Park had 4,762,988 recreation visits in 2025, about the same as 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2021, with 4,860,242. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 4,431,842 visits a year, which makes it the 4th most-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4,762,988 | 0% |
| 2024 | 4,744,353 | +5% |
| 2023 | 4,501,382 | +37% |
| 2022 | 3,290,242 | −32% |
| 2021 | 4,860,242 | +28% |
| 2020 | 3,806,306 | −5% |
| 2019 | 4,020,288 | −2% |
| 2018 | 4,115,000 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4,116,524 | −3% |
| 2016 | 4,257,177 | +4% |
| 2015 | 4,097,710 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Yellowstone in May
Computed from May's weather normals — Yellowstone's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 26°F, below freezing
- Packable rain jacket — 2.4″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
- Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)
As an Amazon Associate, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases. Gear names above link to Amazon searches or to a specific product — we don't show or set prices; you always see Amazon's current price.
Packing for a trip with a date on it? Amazon Prime includes fast delivery on eligible items, and eligible new members may be offered a free trial, so gear ordered this week can arrive before you leave. Delivery speed varies by item and address. See if you can try Prime free →
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on qualifying sign-ups, at no extra cost to you. Current terms are on Amazon's page.
Common questions
What is the best month to visit Yellowstone?
May and June rank best for Yellowstone on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight, among months when the park’s headline access is typically open.
What is the most crowded month at Yellowstone?
July: an average of 922,896 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is November, at 3% of the July peak.
When is Yellowstone least crowded with decent conditions?
April, at 8% of the July peak (73,470 average visits). November is quieter still, but headline access is typically closed then.
How many people visit Yellowstone per year?
Yellowstone National Park had 4,762,988 recreation visits in 2025, about the same as 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2021, with 4,860,242. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 4,431,842 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Yellowstone through the year?
The warmest month is July, with average highs of 72°F. The coldest nights come in February, averaging 1°F. The wettest month is June, with 2.4″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US station.)
Is Yellowstone open all year?
Most park roads close to regular vehicles at the start of November and reopen in stages: the West Entrance–Madison–Old Faithful–Norris–Canyon roads in mid-April (April 17 in 2026), the East and South entrances in early May, and Dunraven Pass in late May. The North Entrance–Northeast Entrance road is open all year; elsewhere winter access is by guided oversnow travel. Dates shift with snow and weather each year, so check the park's current NPS conditions before you go.
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Yellowstone ranks against all 63 parks in May and June.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks