Yellowstone 101 - Part Two
By Lauryn from ALLTrips.com
What’s the best time of the year to visit Yellowstone?
How many days should I spend there?
Those are two very common questions people ask me when they are in the initial planning stages, and they are both pretty hard to answer. And I could never answer them for you, but I can give you some information that might make you discover an answer on your own!
Spring (May to June)
The park opens in early May. Here is some pretty detailed information on Yellowstone’s scheduled road openings. Personally – June is my favorite time of the year to visit. It’s not crowded (and especially in early June you can save money on lodging); I love spring and I LOVE baby animals. But, cooler temperatures, and a small chance of snow don’t bother me at all.
Summer (July to Mid September)
Summer is most people’s favorite for a number of reasons…cool mountain temperatures, kids off of school, vacation time. The parks tend to be crowded, and lodging is at its peak prices. So, it’s actually my least favorite time, but for some people, that’s the only time you have off, and even at my “least favorite” it is still pretty wonderful!
Fall (Mid September to October)
My second favorite time of the year besides spring is fall, because of the mild temperatures, great fishing, less crowds and more affordable rates. The animals also tend to be more active as they prepare for winter.
Winter (December to Mid March)
Roads are closed except to over the snow traffic (snowmobiles, snow coach tours and cross country skiing/snowshoeing). But, seeing the geyser basin covered in snow and the animals up close is pretty unforgettable. Plus, if you are a skier, enjoy Big Sky or Jackson Hole AND Yellowstone in the same vacation!
How much time to “do” Yellowstone?
Well, some people would say years. It takes about 8 hours to drive the entire loop. That is with some time to walk around and take in the sights, but not much. So, am I saying it takes a day? No way. I think you are short changing yourself if you allow less than 4 days to explore the park and the areas surrounding the park.
For help planning your vacation to the Gateways surrounding the park, give the ladies at ALLTrips a call. Follow me on Twitter for updates on travel in the area and travel specials!