Weather in Yellowstone National Park

March and April can feel more like winter in Yellowstone as the park doesn’t thaw fully until late spring/early summer. The beauty of visiting in spring is that you’ll see life in full bloom around Lamar Valley. If you're lucky, you may see bear cubs or elk and bison calves. Waterproof shoes (with good tread) and a rain jacket are a must, as spring tends to be one of the wettest seasons.

Summer is a great time of year in Yellowstone with warm, dry(ish) weather that lends itself to hiking. Ensure you're prepared (i.e. you have a waterproof jacket) for the occasional afternoon thunderstorm. It can still be chilly at night, with temperatures dropping to single digits or below freezing at higher elevations. Layered clothing is key for the unpredictable weather.

Autumn is a glorious time of year. The landscape turns golden, crowds start to thin and animals retreat to lower ground. The weather can be a bit all over the place as the season transitions to winter, so it's best to be prepared for all elements.

As the days get shorter, ensure you turn back in time for sundown when hiking. Snow starts to cover the ground by the end of autumn.

Yellowstone is otherworldly. Period. But winter is a magical time of year with frozen waterfalls, white peaks and hardly any other souls around. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are great ways to explore in winter. You may also be lucky to see ‘geyser rain’ – when boiling water from a geyser erupts and transforms into ice crystals when it hits the freezing air.

It’s chilly during the day and even colder at night, with temperatures reaching as low as -12°C at high elevations. Most roads close and the only areas with facilities open to the public are Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful. If you want to visit in winter, you must book a snowmobile or snow coach tour.