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Best time to visit · Wyoming, United States

Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park

For the most comfortable weather in Yellowstone National Park, aim for July – September. July tops our comfort score at 97/100, with highs around 72°F (22°C) and 1.5 in (37 mm) of rain. June is a good shoulder-season month. The toughest months are February & March and December, mainly because of cool days.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
Best months
Jul – Sep
Shoulder
Jun
Toughest
Feb & Mar and Dec
Warmest
Jul · 72°F
Coldest nights
Dec · 1°F
Wettest
Dec · 3.6 in
Driest
Jul · 1.5 in

Yellowstone National Park weather by month

Highs run from 19°F to 72°F across the year, and the yearly total is about 32.8 in (834 mm) of rain and snow.

-13°-4°5°14°23°32°41°50°59°68°77°20°Jan21°Feb28°Mar36°Apr49°May61°Jun72°Jul71°Aug61°Sep43°Oct28°Nov19°Dec050100
Daily low → high (°F)Monthly rain (mm, right axis)Best months
Monthly climate averages for Yellowstone National Park, 2001–2025
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg high20°F-7°C21°F-6°C28°F-2°C36°F2°C49°F10°C61°F16°C72°F22°C71°F22°C61°F16°C43°F6°C28°F-2°C19°F-7°C
Avg low1°F-17°C2°F-17°C10°F-12°C18°F-8°C29°F-2°C37°F3°C46°F8°C44°F7°C35°F1°C23°F-5°C10°F-12°C1°F-17°C
Rain/snow3.2 in81 mm3.0 in75 mm3.0 in77 mm3.2 in82 mm3.2 in81 mm2.8 in70 mm1.5 in37 mm1.6 in40 mm2.0 in52 mm2.7 in69 mm3.1 in79 mm3.6 in91 mm
Humidity98%99%97%89%76%70%59%53%58%73%91%98%
Cloud75%77%77%73%73%58%39%43%48%64%73%77%
Comfort404040415581979686504138

Source: NASA POWER (public domain), 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km satellite and reanalysis grid, so coasts and valleys can differ from what's shown. The grid cell sits at about 2,437 m (7,996 ft), close to Yellowstone National Park's own ~2,458 m. Precipitation includes snow as melted water; daylight is calculated from latitude. Check a forecast before you go.

How we pick the best months

  • Temperature (40 pts): full marks for average daytime highs of 64–81°F (18–27°C); minus 3 points per °C below and 4 per °C above.
  • Rain (25 pts): full marks up to 40 mm (1.6 in) a month, falling to zero at 250 mm (9.8 in).
  • Humidity (15 pts): only counts when it is warm (mean above 18°C); minus 0.75 points per % above 70% relative humidity.
  • Cloud (20 pts): full marks at 30% cloud cover or less, falling to zero at 90%.
Best months: within 6 points of the top (or 85+). Shoulder: within 18 and at least 45. Toughest: within 6 of the lowest. Comfort only; crowds, prices, festivals and openings aren't scored.

Yellowstone National Park season by season

Winter Dec – Feb

The cold peaks here: highs of 19–21°F (-7–-6°C), and nights reach 1°F (-17°C). It's the wettest season, with about 9.7 in (247 mm) of rain or snow, 30% of the year's total. December – February are cold enough for snow. Comfort scores bottom out in February and December; the season averages 39/100.

Spring Mar – May

Temperatures climb through the season, from 28°F highs in March to 49°F by May. About 9.4 in (240 mm) of rain or snow falls across these months, 29% of the year's total. March & April are cold enough for snow. It holds the toughest stretch on our comfort score (March), averaging 45/100.

Summer Jun – Aug

Peak warmth: highs of 61–72°F (16–22°C). It's the driest season, with only about 5.8 in (147 mm) of rain, 18% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 37°F (3°C). July & August are among the best-scoring months (season average 91/100).

Autumn Sep – Nov

Temperatures slide from 61°F highs in September to 28°F by November. About 7.9 in (200 mm) of rain or snow falls across these months, 24% of the year's total. October & November are cold enough for snow. Comfort peaks here: September ranks with the year's best, and the season averages 59/100.

What our curated routes say

Plan by month

By comfort score: 4 Great, 2 Fair and 6 Tough. Great months: June – September. Tap a month for its own guide.

Yellowstone National Park weather questions

When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?

For the most comfortable weather in Yellowstone National Park, aim for July – September. July tops our comfort score at 97/100, with highs around 72°F (22°C) and 1.5 in (37 mm) of rain. June is a good shoulder-season month. The toughest months are February & March and December, mainly because of cool days.

What is the rainiest month in Yellowstone National Park?

December is the wettest month, averaging about 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain or snow. July is the driest, with about 1.5 in (37 mm). The yearly total is around 32.8 in (834 mm).

What is the coldest month in Yellowstone National Park?

December is the coldest, with average lows of 1°F (-17°C) and highs of 19°F (-7°C). The warmest is July, with average highs of 72°F (22°C).

Is Yellowstone National Park humid in summer?

Not very: summer (June – August) humidity averages 61%, and highs peak around 72°F (22°C), so it rarely feels sticky.

Does it get below freezing in Yellowstone National Park?

On average, yes: lows fall below 32°F (0°C) in October – May, bottoming out around 1°F (-17°C) in December.

Weather nearby

Pick your Yellowstone National Park dates together

Poll the group on July – September dates, then plan the days, packing and costs together.

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