Seasons of Yellowstone

Experience Yellowstone National Park

At Yellowstone National Park, seasons are marked by stunning displays from Mother Nature and unique opportunities to explore, cavort and discover new experiences.

Here, winters are white, snowy and simply beautiful. From West Yellowstone, Park access is via snow coach, snowmobile, skis or snowshoes. Wildlife viewing is great during the wintertime, as the deep snow drives elk and bison to the Park's thermal areas. Other common sights for the winter visitor are bald eagles, coyotes, wolves and river otters. Check out our list of 10 things to experience in Yellowstone during winter!

Degree by degree, winter thaws to spring and by summer, fields of wildflowers and wildlife wake up as the vast majority of Park visitors begin to arrive. Summer is also the time for lots of regional festivals and western-themed events.

As summer turns to autumn and sunlight starts to wane, there's a magical shift in the Park. Yellowstone begins to glow as the crowds thin. In fact, fall is the very best time to spy a bison, bear or bugling elk.