quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
It is nicer to visit Yellowstone in the low season just before bad weather hits. We did that. Spent a week there. Took both upper and lower guided tours.

Went twice, once 2nd week of June. Camped in what was for all intents and purposes an empty campground. Highs in the 80’s lows in the 2”s of snow. The second trip was last year 3rd week of October.

October was a complete audible call. It was absolutely beautiful. Aspen were prime colors, a few elk bugling yet. Most of the shops were closed for the season, very few cars on the roads. But be warned it can very easily become a real shit show.


I would not hesitate to hit it around the edges.

Went to Yellowstone once, in 1969. Beautiful but so crowded I swore i would never go back.

Summer ?
No
Fall , wonderful.

We don't go to see thousands of other people, we can get that here at home.

If you have never been definitely go. I've been to many National parks all over the country. Many I would go back to and have some are just ok. Yellowstone is special in a way as you will see things there that you can not see anywhere else.

Also the shear volume of large wildlife is hard to beat. Saw a heard of 100's of Buffalo running. Pack of wolves which are supper hard to see although they where so far out I couldn't get a good picture with a 500mm lens.

We went first week of Oct. during the Covid mess. Had reservations in the lodge in the park. They called use to see if we wanted to cancel and rebook for the following year. We said hell no lets go when it will be less crowded. Don't normally stay in the National Parks when we travel but because of the size of Yellowstone and dealing with getting in and out everyday it made since to us.

Since we came from the East coast with the time change we where up before the sun every morning. We would get to the first place we wanted to see each morning just before sunrise to beat the crowds. Yes, there where still crowds in Oct during Covid, I would hate to be there in the summer. We did have a little snow our last day which just added to the beauty of the park. We paired Yellowstone with the Tetons and did both on the same trip.

My favorite time to visit the parks out west is Sept through Oct but be ready for some colder days and weather.

I was out there last week. We are replacing the bridge on 212 near Tower Junction. I was surprised at the amount of traffic already in the park. It makes a semi truck a joy to drive through the winding canyons. This summer should be fun.