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Best Time to Visit Yellowstone & Grand Teton

North America · Month-by-month weather, seasons and what to do — from Noura's Destination Finder.

Noura's timing tip: Most interior park roads close to regular vehicles from early November to late April—only the north road from Gardiner to Cooke City stays open year-round, and winter interior access is by snowcoach or snowmobile only. Book summer lodging 6–12 months ahead.
Best months
Jun–Sep
Flights from the US
🟢 Non-stop options
Great for
families with kids · couples · multi-gen · adult group
Seasons at a glance
JuneJulyAugustSeptember AprilMayOctober JanuaryFebruaryMarchNovemberDecember

🟢 Peak season  ·  🟠 Shoulder  ·  ⚪ Off-peak

Yellowstone & Grand Teton month by month

Average temperatures, sunshine and the feel of each month. Getting the timing right is half of a great trip.

MonthAvg °FSunRainSeasonWhat it's like
January 1–28°F 4h High Snow (40") Off-Peak Silent, snowbound wilderness—wolves in Lamar Valley and geysers steaming in deep-freeze air.
February 2–31°F 5h High Snow (32") Off-Peak Frozen and hushed; snowcoaches glide to Old Faithful past bison caked in frost.
March 10–39°F 6h High Snow (34") Off-Peak Last of the winter season—snowy but brightening as interior roads stay closed to cars.
April 19–46°F 7h Moderate Snow (24") Shoulder Roads begin reopening to vehicles; bears emerge and the park stirs from winter.
May 29–55°F 8h Moderate (68mm) Shoulder Green-up and baby bison in Lamar Valley—full road access returns with light crowds.
June 35–65°F 10h Moderate (61mm) Peak Rushing waterfalls, wildflowers and long days as peak summer season kicks off.
July 39–76°F 11h Low (32mm) Peak Warm, busy and wide open—geysers, canyons and every road at full summer swing.
August 37–75°F 10h Low (36mm) Peak Peak high-summer wildlife and warm days, though afternoon crowds fill the boardwalks.
September 30–65°F 8h Low (43mm) Peak Golden meadows and bugling elk rut—crisp air, thinning crowds and prime wildlife.
October 22–50°F 6h Moderate (58mm) Shoulder Cooling and quiet as the first snows dust the peaks and roads begin to close.
November 10–35°F 4h Moderate Snow (28") Off-Peak Most roads shut to cars; a stark, empty shoulder before the winter season opens.
December 1–27°F 4h High Snow (38") Off-Peak Winter wonderland returns—snowcoaches launch as the interior locks into deep snow.

Data cross-referenced from climate and flight sources; conditions vary year to year.

Things to do in Yellowstone & Grand Teton, month by month

Hand-picked ideas for every month of the year — from Noura's Destination Finder.

JanuaryOff-Peak1–28°F
  • Take a snowcoach tour to Old Faithful
  • Watch wolves in the Lamar Valley
  • Cross-country ski near Mammoth Hot Springs
  • Photograph steaming geysers in the frost
  • Spot bison and elk on the Gardiner–Cooke City road
FebruaryOff-Peak2–31°F
  • Snowmobile through the park's interior
  • Snowshoe the Upper Geyser Basin
  • Wildlife-watch for wolves in Lamar Valley
  • Visit the terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs
  • Ski the Grand Teton trails near Jackson
MarchOff-Peak10–39°F
  • Join a late-season snowcoach tour
  • Ski Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
  • Watch wolves in Lamar Valley
  • Photograph frosted geyser basins
  • Look for early bears emerging near Mammoth
AprilShoulder19–46°F
  • Bike the car-free Teton Park Road before it opens to cars
  • Watch newborn bison in Lamar Valley
  • See Old Faithful as roads reopen
  • Look for grizzlies waking near Mammoth
  • Spot returning birds at Yellowstone Lake
MayShoulder29–55°F
  • Drive to Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring
  • Watch bison calves in Hayden and Lamar valleys
  • Hike to Fairy Falls
  • Canoe on Jackson Lake
  • Photograph Mormon Row barns under the Tetons
JunePeak35–65°F
  • Hike Cascade Canyon at Jenny Lake
  • See Grand Prismatic from the Fairy Falls overlook
  • Watch wildlife in Hayden Valley
  • View the Lower Falls from Artist Point
  • Raft the Snake River in Grand Teton
JulyPeak39–76°F
  • Watch Old Faithful and tour the geyser basins
  • Hike to Delta Lake in Grand Teton
  • Paddle Jenny Lake
  • Wildlife-watch at dawn in Lamar Valley
  • Explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
AugustPeak37–75°F
  • Hike Mount Washburn for summit views
  • Kayak Yellowstone Lake
  • See the Grand Prismatic Spring
  • Hike toward Amphitheater Lake in the Tetons
  • Watch bison herds in Hayden Valley
SeptemberPeak30–65°F
  • Listen for the elk rut at Mammoth Hot Springs
  • Hike Cascade Canyon amid fall color
  • Watch wolves and bears in Lamar Valley
  • Photograph the Tetons reflected in Oxbow Bend
  • Tour the geyser basins with thin crowds
OctoberShoulder22–50°F
  • Catch the tail of the elk rut near Mammoth
  • Hike Taggart Lake in Grand Teton
  • Watch for bears fattening before winter
  • Photograph early snow on the Teton range
  • Drive the park before roads close for the season
NovemberOff-Peak10–35°F
  • Wildlife-watch along the year-round Gardiner–Cooke City road
  • Look for wolves in the Lamar Valley
  • Photograph frosted bison and elk
  • Ski or snowshoe near Mammoth as snow builds
  • Visit Jackson's National Elk Refuge as elk arrive
DecemberOff-Peak1–27°F
  • Ride an opening-season snowcoach to Old Faithful
  • Take a sleigh ride through Jackson's National Elk Refuge
  • Cross-country ski near Mammoth
  • Watch wolves against fresh snow in Lamar Valley
  • Photograph geysers steaming in the cold
Where to go in June Where to go in July Where to go in August Where to go in September

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