When is the best time to visit Wyoming?
The best time to visit Wyoming is during the summer (June to August) when the weather is best for outdoor activities. However, if you are looking for a quieter time with fewer people on the trails and a better chance at seeing wildlife, consider the shoulder months of May and September.
Wyoming is also a beautiful winter destination as snow blankets the state and many animal inhabitants come out to play. For the best snow, January and February are the months to visit.
When to visit
Many people venture to Wyoming to visit Yellowstone National Park. This iconic park is known for its excellent hiking trails, impressive sights like Old Faithful and great camping spots. To make the best of all the sights and services offered at Yellowstone, visit in the summer when there are extended daylight hours.
Yellowstone closes some of its services and roads from mid-September to October when the weather gets cold. While some of the park is open for winter activities like snowmobiling, the weather makes many areas unreachable.
No campgrounds are open in winter so you'll need to reserve a lodge well in advance.
To make the most of your time at Grand Teton National Park, visit in the sun-filled summer months of June to August. With warmer temperatures and longer days, you can take in the sights, hit the trails or cruise down the Snake River.
The best time to visit for fewer crowds is the shoulder months outside the peak summer holiday period. While winter can also be a magical time to see the park covered in snow (and even frozen over in some areas) some activities, roads and services may close or have reduced hours from September to April.
Seasons in Wyoming
Best for: baby animals, cycling and low crowds
Temperatures get back into double digits in March and much of the low-lying snow melts. This is a perfect opportunity for cyclists to ride West Yellowstone Road which remains closed to motorised vehicles until later in the season. Springtime newborn animals bring visitors in from far and wide, including adorable baby bison.
While spring is a beautiful time of year to see budding flowers and baby animals, it's also one of the wettest seasons, with the highest annual rainfall from March to May. The basin area is usually the driest in the state while the mountains see much higher annual averages of up to 40cm. Don't forget your rain gear in case of a sudden downpour.
Best for: hiking, kayaking and camping
Summer is for nature lovers and adventure seekers with long days to explore the outdoors. The warmest month is July with an average temperature of 23°C; however, there can still be freezing temperatures at higher elevations so don't forget warm gear while hiking.
The same goes for a waterproof jacket, as while summer is typically hot and dry, it's not uncommon to see rain showers and thunderstorms across the state.
There are also some great events in summer, including the long-running Jackson "shoot-out" which has been running for over 65 years. Held between Memorial Day and Labour Day, watch actors in Wild West garb act out an exciting show.
Best for: rock climbing, beautiful scenery and fewer crowds
Temperatures cool across the state and summertime travellers depart the national parks. This makes it a great time to appreciate the natural beauty of Wyoming, especially as the trails are quiet and the sun is still out.
With the changing of the seasons comes a myriad of autumnal colours that showcase just how much of this region is untouched wilderness.
November marks the start of the low tourist season and the weather becomes less predictable. Watch for snow that begins to build up on the roads.
Autumn is a good time for animal spotting thanks to fewer people around.
Best for: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and hot springs
Snow usually starts falling in October, but the winter has well and truly set in by December. Winters in Wyoming are cold, windy and long, but that doesn't mean the fun stops. Make the most of the snow and get kitted out for a day exploring with dog sleds, snowshoes and cross-country skis. You can then warm up in one of the state's many hot springs.
Snow will likely be present on all motorways and roads, so getting around can be a little trickier, especially since the weather can change at any moment. But just because it's a little harder for humans to get around, doesn't mean that others aren't out and about. Animal spotting usually peaks in winter as bison, bighorn sheep, coyotes and red-tail hawks to name a few can be seen among the snowy hills and valleys.
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