Yellowstone in April: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 74/100 · #1 of 12 months

April is a quiet month with trade-offs at Yellowstone National Park: crowds run 8% of the July peak (73,470 average visits). Weather: highs average 41°F and lows 17°F, with 2.3″ of precipitation and 13.4 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Yellowstone in April

Insulated parka + thermal base layersSee it on AmazonWhy: average lows of 17°F.
Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 2.3″ of precipitation is normal this month.
Bear spraySee it on AmazonWhy: recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry).

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Partial access: 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. Current NPS conditions →

The sun sets behind the sharp point of a snow-covered mountain; pink clouds are reflected in a pond — Yellowstone National Park — photo: NPS / Jacob W. Frank (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in April

Yellowstone averages 73,470 recreation visits in April — 8% of what July, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Average visits (April)

73,470 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

1.7% of annual visitation

vs. peak (July)

Weather & daylight

It is properly cold (highs average 41°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 17°F). Average precipitation is 2.3″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 13.4 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US (6 mi from park coordinates, 7,835 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of April.

What to pack for Yellowstone in April

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 17°F
Packable rain jacket — 2.3″ 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)

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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Yellowstone are May and June.

Also at their best in April

Other parks whose computed April verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

Theodore Roosevelt in April — 7% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 92/100
Badlands in April — 16% of peak crowds, highs 60°F, score 90/100
Lake Clark in April — under 1% of peak crowds, highs 46°F, score 89/100
Voyageurs in April — under 1% of peak crowds, highs 49°F, score 88/100

Common questions

Is Yellowstone crowded in April?

No — April is one of the quieter months: 8% of the July peak, averaging 73,470 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).

What is the weather like in Yellowstone in April?

Average highs of 41°F, lows of 17°F, 2.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US station).

What should I pack for Yellowstone in April?

Insulated parka + thermal base layers; Packable rain jacket; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page.

Is everything open at Yellowstone in April?

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. Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.

See also: the best national parks to visit in April · Last verified 2026-09-24