Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Who's been to Yellowstone NP?

We would like to visit Yellowstone NP next year. A friend told me last night that one should be planning at least one year ahead due to the campgrounds and accommodations filling quickly & to go early or late in the season. We'll be taking our motorhome & probably tow the Jeep. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Try if possible not to go peak season. Crowds can be rough , obviously watch the weather as roads open later or close sooner than us easterners are used to. Beautiful park though

We went to Yellowstone 3 years in a round back in the late 70s early 80s in July. Back then camping in the park was spotty. We would camp outside the park around west Yellowstone, then go back in the park the next day. It was a 3 ring circus as far as crowds back then, I can't imagine what it's like now.

If you don't have to go during school let out I'd highly recommend going before or after summer vacation. Reports of astronomical numbers of visitors in June, July & August. Long lines everywhere for every thing.

I was there in early October, not the best time as some things were closed & we risk bad weather & road closures.. But it was a side trip when I was out there for an Elk hunt, otherwise I would have planned a bit earlier. We covered a lot of the park in a very short time & parked very close to each point of interest, none of our time wasted.

Many times over the years. Mostly flyfishing once for a geologic tour

Nimblehunter: When I lived on the west coast I would visit Yellowstone National Park twice every year (for 30+ years). Once in early summer for the fishing and then again in mid to late September for Elk watching and Elk calling.
Since I retired and moved to Montana 25 years ago I get there about 3 times a year - whenever I feel the whim or have visitors from out of state to escort/tour guide.
I really prefer mid to late September for beautiful colors and less tourist traffic and for viewing of the now fewer Elk that are still left.
Once you have found a campground (I can't help much here as I have lost camping contacts since moving to Montana and living so close) be sure and take a day (with your Jeep) to slowly traverse Beartooth Pass - over and back.
And be sure to plan stopping at Artists Point during mid day when the sun is overhead and NO shadows obscuring viewing and this being the best time to photograph the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the Lower Falls!
If you are a hiker I have some suggestions also - but again I much prefer September (mid to late) for enjoying Yellowstone National Park (and south to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole!).
Good luck with the planning and drive careful.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Backpacking in the park gets you away from the crowds right quick. There are quite a lot of thermal and geologic features away from the roads as well. Lot of critters too

We went out there the last week of July/1st week of August 2014. We stopped along the way in Sturgis and Deadwood, SD and also checked out Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monuments on the way as well as Devils Tower, Cody Wyoming and the Cody Firearms Museum.

We spent five days inside of the part at Fishing Bridge and had a blast, seeing Old Faithful, the various hotponds, day hiking, trout fishing, wildlife viewing and waiting for the herds bison to clear the road.

On our way back we went through MT and stopped in Gardiner. My son wanted to go Whitewater rafting and talked us into it. I’m glad that he did! Four rafts launched together and the guides were great complete with super soaker squirt guns and very kid/family oriented but with enough rapids in spots to make for a good time. We also spent 1/2 a day at The Little Bighorn Battlefield Monument on the way back.

It was one of my best vacations and I’d like to go back when my six year old is a few years older.

We were there in August of ‘17, and other than the crowds, we loved it!
We stayed in a little cottage in Cody, so it was a half hour drive to the park.
Cody in itself is well worth a couple days too.
The Buffalo Bill Museum is worth a couple days if you’re a gun nut, and a history nerd.
I thought the Buffalo Bill Damn was worth an afternoon too!
I believe the highlight of our trip was Custer State Park In South Dakota.
Take along some apples for the “panhandling” donkeys!
Mekoshika , near Glenn Dive Montana is a great place too, and Teddy Roosevelt Park In North Dakota too.
Above all, enjoy yourself and have a safe trip!
7mm

The wife and I were just talking about this.

Been there many times. Go in September, stay in an RV park outside Yellowstone. As was mentioned West Yellowstone has RV parks and is just outside the gate into YNP.
Even in September the park will be crowded due to all the retired Boomers who now choose the off season, it just won’t be as crowded as mid summer.

Its a great place

As mentioned......peak season is a zoo.......

After Labor Day an option ??

Look at enclosed link....select your date you have in mind...may be too late ):

Suggest camping in the more central area that way you're in the middle

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

THIS


And even then if you want to park the mobile home inside the park, mark your campground reservations as far in advance as you can. Otherwise park outside and tour YNP in your jeep, which would be the best solution by far.

I spent a LOT of time there in the 70s and early 80s...always after labor day. But then it got too crowded for me so I stay away now. If you are in PA you probably won't consider it crowded at all.

I forgot about those donkeys! Seeing those practically tame wild donkeys was a lot of fun.

Lived down the road from West Entrance many years ago. Back then we would pretty much stay out of the Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day - WAY too many visitors. Much more enjoyable during the off season.

I buy an annual pass every year. I can leave my house at 5AM and be driving on pretty low traffic through YNP (6:30-8AM) park, get out and hike, and you've got such a massive area all to yourself it seems. Pretty crazy awesome stuff in yellowstone if you can avoid the mid-day traffic jams and tourist traps. I haven't seen old faithful or stopped in mammoth for 30+ years. Reserving backcountry campsites in advance is the ticket. We took kayaks for 3 days around the big lake this summer, great trip.

My wife and I went in 2010 for our honeymoon. Went labor day week. We didn't plan anything. It was a little tough finding accommodations. We rented a cabin for a few days in Idaho.

The elk were bugling good in Yellowstone. We hiked away from the crowds and enjoyed calling elk and seeing the sights.

As others have suggested don't go during school vacation. Then you should be OK. If you have to go in the Summer, your reservations should be well in advance. Because of distances staying in the Park is the best option.

Few years ago......

Bought a lifetime NP senior pass for $20

Helluva deal !

We went last year mid Oct. just before it shut down for the winter. We got snowed in at West Yellowstone and only got to see the park one day.