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Which is the best season to visit Yellowstone? That question is almost a disappointing and misleading question. Yellowstone is so spectacular that one should visit it at least once in all seasons of the year. The season upon us now is autumn, and Yellowstone is in transition as it changes from summer into winter.
In the fall, things start to slow down, and the crowds thin out. In these times, it will be possible to visit Old Faithful without the sometimes overwhelming crowds of summer. Visiting Yellowstone is all about seeing the bewildering hydrothermal attractions of the region and seeing the best of North American wildlife throughout the park.
Wildlife In Yellowstone In The Fall
Yellowstone is the greatest bio-diversity hotspot in the United States and the best place to go for a North American safari. One of the great advantages of visiting Yellowstone in the fall is that many of the most iconic animals are more visible at this time of year. The cooler temperature prompts them to move down from higher elevations. See the National Park Service for safety guidelines with wild animals.
Arguably, autumn is the best time to see the elk roaming around - it is their breeding season, and visitors will get to hear their bellows and buglings. Hear their alternatively deep and high-pitched calls as they vie for the attention of the females.
- Caution: Bull Elks Can Get Easily Agitated In The Rut
- Elk: Autumn is The Mating Season or "Rut"
Elk also migrate down from the higher elevations. See the largest elk herds in Lamar and the Yellowstone river valleys between Soda Butte and Gardiner.
Bears may hibernate in the winter, but in the autumn, they are preparing for their hibernation. See them foraging and gorging the best they can in preparation for the winter. They can often be seen from the roadside.
Bison also head down to lower elevations with hundreds of the mighty beasts migrating to Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Old Faithful area.
Birds are also migrating south in the fall, so cast an eye to the skies to see annual fall migrations of hawks and other birds all through Yellowstone.
Another advantage is that the days are shorter, so it is more convenient to see the animals when they are more active around dusk and dawn.
Yellowstone's Autumn Foliage
The leaves and grasses of Yellowstone also transform in the autumn. Watch a green world transform into one of lovely yellows and oranges.
The foliage hear is a far cry from the eye-watering fall foliage of New England, but it is still grand. Gaze out over landscapes dazzled with golden aspens, red-leafed shrubs, and yellow grasses.
- Peak Season: Last Week Of September to First Week of October
The peak of the autumn foliage in Yellowstone is typically from the last week of September to the first week of October. See some of the park's more colorful locations in the Lamar Valley, Lewis River by the falls, the Lewis River Canyon, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Blacktail Plateau Drive.
Other Things To Do In Fall In Yellowstone
Visitors can wander around Yellowstone with ever-thining crowds as fall progresses. There are a number of Ranger-led programs during the fall (although they may be finished by the second half of the season).
The autumn foliage and cooler temperatures also make it great for hiking and biking through the park. Just be prepared for cooler and inclement weather - especially in the back half of fall.
- Road Closure: Some Park Roads Close In Early November
It is also a great season for camping - although many of the park's campgrounds close progressively over the fall. Many of the campgrounds close in September and October - although some are open year-round (including for winter camping).
Fall Visitation Numbers:
- September: 663,000
- October: 223,000
- November: 14,000
According to the National Park Service, September is still one of the busiest months for Yellowstone, with 663,000 visitors (compared to a peak of 947,000 in July). Visitation plummets to 223,000 visitors in October and then utterly collapses to a year-round low of only 14,000 in November.
After visiting the golden landscapes of Yellowstone in the fall, return during the depth of winter to see a magical wonderland blanketed in snow.