Soft summer evenings, snowy winter days, tempestuous springs and fresh fall skies: all fill out the full picture of Yellowstone Country. Yellowstone really is a four-season destination, and each time of year has its draws and its top things to do. Here are a few of our favorite ways to spend time in Yellowstone, whether you plan your visit for winter, spring, summer or fall.
Winter
Snowmobile and snow coach
When park roads close seasonally to public vehicle traffic, they open to a whole new type of fun. This is the time to snowmobile or take a snow coach ride through the park, experiencing the calm of winter with a rush of adrenaline (from the seat of a snowmobile) or a wave of quiet excitement (from the window of a snow coach). Whichever way you go, embrace winter over-snow travel in Yellowstone.
Cross country ski
If your idea of winter involves the silence of nature and softly falling snow, with a great workout too, a tour of the park on skis is a great option. If you don’t have your own skis, you can rent from local outfitters or take a guided trip.
Spring
Bike rides
When the roads of the park are clear of snow but still not open to most vehicles just yet, biking season descends. This is a way to get as deep into the park as you desire, all without having to worry about traffic. Be sure to strap on your bear spray, and get ready for a wild ride.
Wildlife watching
When bears and other critters start to wake up from those long winter hibernations and move from winter range to summer range, wildlife watching pops in spring. A drive through the Lamar Valley will let you look to your heart’s content.
Summer
Lake time
Getting out on the water, whether by kayak, stand up paddleboard, or a scenic cruise, is a unique way to experience Yellowstone. Skip the bison traffic jams and use this time to slow down, slip a paddle in the water or drop a fishing line, and enjoy Yellowstone in a different way. Rent a boat in gateway communities like Bozeman, and don’t forget your boat permit. Backcountry hikes
For the adventurous and experienced hiker, summer brings time in the backcountry, far from roads and crowds. Even if you’re not ready to set out on your own, you can go with a group or private guide. When most of the park visitors stick to the major driving corridors, you can
embrace a remote side of Yellowstone this way. This is the time for taking in fields of alpine wildflowers and inhaling big views while seeing the park on foot.
Fall
Long drives
When the weather cools off, but before the first snows hit the mountain passes, taking long autumn drives is one of the best ways to appreciate the park—and spot wildlife too. Take advantage of the time with fewer cars on the roads to put in some miles in on Yellowstone’s main thoroughfares.
See the fall foliage
When the trees are turning colors, aspen and cottonwoods along the riverbanks rival foliage displays back east, but with a Yellowstone twist. When mountain peaks take on the first sprinkle of early snowfall, and the meadows turn the dusty yellow of dried grass, the scene is about as picture-perfect as it gets. Need more things to do for your visit to Yellowstone Country? Check out the rest of our blog for more tips.
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