Yellowstone National Park FAQs

Find out all you need to know about visiting Yellowstone National Park.

When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?

The best time to visit Yellowstone depends on the weather and the peak tourist season. Most of Yellowstone National Park lies at 6,000 feet above sea level or higher making its weather highly variable, so you’ll want to visit when the climate is at its most stable. The months of June to August have highs in the low 20s and offer the best hiking conditions, but it also happens to be the main tourism season. To avoid the crowds and any potential for overbooked accommodations, the better time to visit would be between late April to May and September to early October. The weather will be just mild enough with daytime temperatures ranging from 10-20°C, not to mention these months come with other benefits too. In spring, the animals will have just emerged from hibernation with their young, wildflowers will be blooming, and the melting snow will power the parks’ many waterfalls into full flow. In September, you will be rewarded with autumnal shades and the opportunity to witness the rutting season for the elk. Winter is best avoided as between November and March the daytime temperatures are rarely above freezing, and heavy snowfall occurs. However, for fans of cross country skiing, it can be argued there’s no better time to visit Yellowstone National Park. The trails are outstanding.

What is the time difference between the UK and Yellowstone National Park?

GMT – 6 hours

What places combine well with Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone National Park is ideally located for visiting many other natural wonders within the Rocky Mountain region. Just south of Yellowstone is the equally impressive Grand Teton National Park and a drive east leads to the otherworldly Devils Tower. From there you can road trip into South Dakota should you wish to see the beautiful Spearfish Canyon and, further south, the rugged Badlands National Park.