Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Yellowstone National Park in October
Yellowstone National Park cools off: highs slip to 43°F (6°C), from 61°F in September, with lows of 23°F (-5°C) and about 2.7 in (69 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 50/100, 6th of 12.
- Avg high
- 43°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 23°F (-5°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.7 in (69 mm)
- Humidity
- 73%
- Cloud cover
- 64%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 44 min
- Comfort score
- 50/100 · Fair
What October feels like
Afternoons only reach about 43°F (6°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Average lows of 23°F (-5°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Expect about 2.7 in (69 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because nights fall well below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Plan around October
October sits mid-table; the best months are July – September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 23°F.
- Snow becomes likely from October, so check road and trail conditions.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 10°C (17°F) from September.
- Comfort slips from 86/100 in September to 50/100.
- Our Glacier to Yellowstone route recommends Jun – Sep, so October falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for October
- Insulated jackethighs only 43°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 23°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.7 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Yellowstone National Park in October
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Old Faithful Inn
1904 log hotel with a seven-story lobby and stone fireplace, open to all visitors.
Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook
Short climb to a raised platform above Grand Prismatic Spring for the full color rings.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Dining room in the park's oldest hotel, overlooking Yellowstone Lake.
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Travertine terraces built by hot springs, with boardwalks and elk around the village.
Lamar Valley
Broad northern valley known as the best wolf-watching area in the park.
Nearby in October
- Yellowstone in October~13 mi · highs 43°F, 2.7 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Grand Teton National Park in October~44 mi · highs 48°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Jackson in October~67 mi · highs 52°F, 2.1 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, drier
- Salt Lake City in October~262 mi · highs 63°F, 1.8 in rain · 11°C (20°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Yellowstone National Park in October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Yellowstone National Park?
It's middling, scoring 50/100. The best months are July – September, at up to 97. Expect highs of 43°F (6°C) and 2.7 in (69 mm) of rain or snow. Our Glacier to Yellowstone route recommends Jun – Sep, so October is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Yellowstone National Park in October?
Average highs are 43°F (6°C) and average lows 23°F (-5°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Yellowstone National Park in October?
Some: about 2.7 in (69 mm) of rain or snow falls across October on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 32.8 in (834 mm).
What should I pack for Yellowstone National Park in October?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 43°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 23°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.7 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Yellowstone National Park
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