Tips for visiting Yellowstone during the summer

Make the most of your Yellowstone vacation during peak season

Summer is the busiest time to visit Yellowstone, but it’s also a great time because the weather is warm and most areas in the park are open, allowing you to explore the park to its fullest.

Visit the most popular sights early in the morning or in the evening. Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and other popular sights are busiest between 10 AM and 4 PM. Visiting first thing in the morning or later in the evening can help you avoid crowds. As the park gets busier during the day, use this time to visit less popular sights, go on a hike, or find a shady spot for a relaxing picnic.

Less popular sights include Artist Paint Pots, Undine Falls, Lewis Lake, Blacktail Plateau Drive, and Lake Butte Overlook. There are many more- make sure you pick up a map when you enter the park.

Plan on spending more than one day in the park. Yellowstone is huge. Give yourself at least 3 days so you have time to experience all that Yellowstone has to offer. This way you don’t feel rushed. Pick a few landmarks to visit each day and take your time visiting the sights. Have an itinerary in mind, but be flexible.

Wear layers when you visit the park during summer. Most of the time a t-shirt, shorts, and comfortable walking shoes will suffice. Bring a sweater or light jacket for cool temperatures in the morning and evenings. Having a rain jacket on hand is also a good idea.

Take a hike. A lot of Yellowstone tourists don’t walk very far from their cars. Hiking is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in all that Yellowstone has to offer while getting away from the crowds. Some of our favorite hikes include Mystic Falls, Grand Prismatic Viewpoint, Fairy Falls, Bunsen Peak, Natural Bridge Trail, Lamar Valley Trail, and Mt. Washburn.

Check out more of our hiking recommendations here and here.

Don’t forget to wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring bear spray.