Is Yellowstone better in June or July?

Abundant wildlife encounters June marks the beginning of the peak wildlife season, making it the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park. A wildlife enthusiast's paradise, the park's unique ecosystems support a diverse and abundant range of animals.



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If you're wondering when is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park, among the park's diverse seasons, June is a prime time to go. Abundant wildlife sightings, pleasant weather and lighter crowds ahead of the summer rush mean there's no better time to enjoy this American legacy.

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The best times to visit Yellowstone National Park are from late April to May as well as September through early October. These shoulder months offer mild weather, fewer crowds and little to no road closures.

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— Today, Yellowstone National Park released its visitation statistics for July 2023. The park hosted 969,692 recreation visits, a 63% increase from July 2022 and a 4% increase from July 2019, according to a press release. July 2022 hosted 596,562 recreational visits and July 2019 had 936,062 visits.

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Flights to the nearest major airport — that of Jackson Hole, Wyoming — are typically cheapest between November and March, which is the park's low season. Prices for lodging begin to drop after Labor Day, once the summer crowds have diminished and children are back in school.

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You could easily take two weeks to explore Yellowstone (and you might want to after you spend a day here). To truly experience the best aspects of the park, you'll want to plan at least three days. But if you only have one day to spend in the park, you want to get the most out of your time here.

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Even in peak summer season, it's possible to avoid crowds. The trick is to be either an early bird or late afternoon adventurer. Yellowstone is normally busiest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the stretch between Yellowstone's West Entrance to Old Faithful usually has the most traffic.

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Yellowstone National Park can get very crowded during peak season (June, July, and August). The best months to visit Yellowstone are April, September, and October. These “off season” months provide more chances to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife and enjoy thinner crowds.

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When is sunrise and sunset in June. The average day in Yellowstone National Park during June has 15.5 hours of daylight, with sunrise at 5:37 AM and sunset at 9:06 PM.

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The best time to visit Yellowstone to avoid crowds is May, September, and early October. Most park amenities, including lodging and roads, are open, wildlife is active, and the geyser basins are easily accessible in these months.

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June, overall, is less crowded in Grand Teton National Park than in July and August. So while there are slightly fewer people in June than in the other two summer months (advantage), know that the park will still be busy and crowded (challenge).

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The mornings (dawn until 11 a.m.) and evenings (6 p.m. until dusk) are perfect window times for beating the tour groups and family wagons and securing a spot with an uninterrupted view. If you prefer the morning, all you need is a trusty alarm clock, maybe a strong cup of coffee and an early start to the day.

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July and August are the warmest months in Yellowstone. While it can still freeze at higher elevations and can be cold at night, it's generally very warm during the day. In July and at the beginning of August, you can expect daytime temperatures between 68-80 °F (20-27°C).

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If you do any hiking or camping in Yellowstone, you SHOULD bring bear spray. Generally, you don't need bear spray when visiting the popular and crowded geyser areas and villages, such as Old Faithful and Canyon Village.

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The Grand Loop takes between 4 to 7 hours to drive in full. During the summer season, cars are the best option for taking a trip around Yellowstone unless you are riding with a bus tour or concessionaire that provides transportation.

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