Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Yellowstone in October
Yellowstone cools off: highs slip to 43°F (6°C), from 60°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 43 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.
About 2.7 in (69 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with lows well below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
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 Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route recommends Mid-Dec – Mar, 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 places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Yellowstone in October
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Old Faithful
Yellowstone's best-known geyser, erupting about every 60 to 110 minutes; in winter the plume of steam towers over the snow.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Travertine terraces near the North Entrance, steaming and frosted in winter, with boardwalks you can walk on your own.
West Yellowstone
Montana gateway town at the West Entrance, where most snowcoach and guided snowmobile tours to Old Faithful begin.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Yellow-walled canyon where the 308-foot Lower Falls builds a huge cone of ice in winter.
Nearby in October
- Yellowstone National Park 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~57 mi · highs 48°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Jackson in October~79 mi · highs 52°F, 2.1 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, drier
- Salt Lake City in October~274 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 in October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Yellowstone?
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 Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route recommends Mid-Dec – Mar, so October is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Yellowstone 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 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 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 places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Yellowstone
Planning Yellowstone in October?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.