Yellowstone National Park tours & holidays

The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is in late May to early June or September to early October, when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. The peak season is from July to August because the weather is at its warmest, there’s full access to the park and it’s school break for the USA kiddos.  

Yellowstone sees four distinct seasons, but the weather can be unpredictable (think four seasons in one day).  

Spring (March to May): Can still feel like winter with chilly weather and it tends to be the wettest season, but it starts to warm up in late May.  

Summer (June to August): Warm, dry weather makes for great hiking and camping conditions. An occasional thunderstorm can roll through, but they’re usually brief.  

Autumn (September to November): The weather can be a bit all over the place as the season transitions into winter, but you can generally expect pleasant days and cooler nights.  

Winter (December to February): A magical time to see the landscape covered in snow, but it is very cold with heavy snow throughout the park. 

Yellowstone is an animal lover's paradise as it’s one of the best parks to see wildlife. Some of the animals you might see include:  

• Bison
• Elk
• Moose
• Deer
• Bighorn sheep
• Mountain goats
• Black and grizzly bears 
• Lynx
• Coyote
• Wolves
• River otters

Its iconic, colourful geothermal features sit at the top of the list, including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Morning Glory Pool, Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geyser Basin. Another big hitter is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, which speaks for itself. For wildlife viewing, the remote Lamar Valley is the place to go.  

Yes, Yellowstone charges a fee for visitors entering the park. For travellers on an Intrepid trip, vehicle entrance fees and required permits are covered, but international visitors will need to pay additional nonresident entrance fees. Your local leader will help you understand the fees that apply to your trip and help you choose the best-value option for your itinerary and group. 

If you're entering through Yellowstone's South Entrance, you'll pass through Grand Teton National Park, and each park charges its own entrance fee. 

While you don’t technically need a car, it definitely makes seeing the massive park way easier. Unlike parks like Zion and Yosemite, there is no park-wide shuttle system in Yellowstone which can make things tricky. When you travel with us, we’ll handle the transportation part so you can access the best bits without worrying about how to get there. 

The most important thing to keep in mind when packing for Yellowstone is that the weather is unpredictable. For summer, you need to be prepared for rain with waterproof gear and a rain jacket, and for spring, autumn and winter, you should be ready for snow and chilly temps. The best move is to pack layerable clothing that’s easy to take on and off when needed. Having a base layer, mid layer and outer layer handy is recommended. 

You’ll want hiking boots or sturdy footwear for exploring, a waterproof jacket, daypack, a sun hat, beanie and reusable water bottle. For winter, bring all the cold weather gear like a warm jacket, gloves, a scarf and warm socks.  

Whether you’re coming from far away or you call the USA home, national park tours bring you deeper into the landscapes through storytelling, local know-how and the chance to veer off the main tourist trails. With a local leader, you’ll have all the logistics handled, including permits, entrance fees and transportation, so you can easily visit multiple places. Plus, they’ll bring you to their favourite spots for lesser-known experiences you won’t find in a travel guide. And when it comes to travelling with a small group of like-minded adventure buddies, there’s always safety (and more fun!) in numbers.  

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.