Swistle’s Dad writes:
We’re suddenly starting to plan for a Northwest road trip this May, to include Yellowstone National Park. I don’t know if you’d want to ask this on your blog, but we’re looking for advice on being in Yellowstone either May 9-10 or May 30-31. Does that three weeks make a big difference in weather? Do the crowds start picking up at the end of May, or not until later? Is stuff still closed or inaccessible in early May? Etc. Just an idea if you’re desperate for a topic.
I have a friend who worked in Yellowstone for a few years, and she would say that YES, those three weeks can make a difference, and the main rush is when school gets out.
But I am not sure about accessibility and early May. Hopefully someone else can address that.
Good luck. I hope he has a wonderful time.
(Ugh. So far I am on my FOURTH try with these two word verifications. Don’t you find them a pain? I get why they are here, but MAN.)
JeannetteLS- I can’t STAND the new two-word thing! I usually have to refresh again and again until I finally get a pair I THINK I can TRY!
I don’t know about Yellowstone, but you got me wondering about the two words that prove I’m not a robot.
Officer sstimm – didn’t work.
out alandep –
Kristen from camelsandchocolates.com just went to Yellowstone this past may. Lots of interesting info/pictures/etc. I know it’s weird referring a dad to another blog, but she had seriously good info.
(also-on my 5th try for word verification)
The Yellowstone website has a lot of great information on this issue:
http://www.nps.gov/yell/
If you look at the Plan Your Visit area, it looks like some of the major access roads aren’t even open to wheeled vehicles until May 11th. You could get around some/most of the park before that, but it will take a lot longer. Many of the lodges aren’t scheduled to open until Mid-May, and for such a short visit, you definitely want to stay in the park.
So I were planning the trip, I would definitely go later in May, because the snow cover during the earlier dates won’t probably be heavy enough for the extra glory of the scenery to make up for the access difficulties. You’re not going to have to worry too much about crowds no matter when you go, because July and August are the super-busy months and even then, if you’re willing to walk away from the main viewing areas, you can feel surprisingly peaceful. (This was true for us even on the boardwalks up behind Old Faithful in August. People have a great tendency to drive to a major feature, walk to the primary access point, take a photo, visit the snack/gift shop, then drive off to the next location. If you have the mobility to travel 500 feet, you will leave much of the crowd behind.)
In early may all but the a few trails and roads are closed. I would go late in may. I went to Yellowstone the end of may 5 years ago and it was not busy at all. However even then it can be chilly and could still have some snow in areas. I hope your dad has a great time!! I’m hoping on going up there this summer.
I have nothing to say except that I think it’s awesome your dad is “suddenly” starting to plan a vacation.
I’m going to star this post in my reader for future reference. I too was planning a Yellowstone vacation this weekend, but I decided it’s a trip better timed in eight to ten years when my boys are tweens and teens.
My sister worked there two summers ago, and they had snow into JUNE!
The NPS website would be a good place to get more information. :)
I am from Rapid City/Black Hill area, so if their trip plans include swinging through that area (many road trips to Yellowstone DO, which is why I mention it), let me know! I’ve worked and/or visited nearly ALl the notable sights in the area.
Ooh, ooh, finally something I can help you with! (Or your dad. Whatevs.) I live in MT, and I can tell you a few things about the weather this time of year. It sucks. The end. If those are the two date ranges you get to choose from, go with the end of May. If you can go even later in the spring/early summer I would opt for that. Last year everything opened up super late in the season because of all the snow still on the ground. EVERYTHING is weather-related and may or not open on time depending upon snowfall for the next couple of months. As far as people and craziness within the park, it should not be busy at all in the date ranges you have opted for…it usually doesn’t get crazy busy until the kids get out of school, which is the middle of June in these parts. Good luck, and remember it will still be pretty chilly the end of May…pack accordingly :)
My parents live in Red Lodge, MT (just outside the park). The snow varies from year to year but can still be pretty deep in late spring. Later is better, for sure. Last spring was especially cold and they had tons of snow (there were still 10-foot snowdrifts on the roadsides at the top of the Beartooth mountain passes when we drove through in late July! The roads were clear and the weather was sunny, though.) They’ve had less snow this winter, so it may melt earlier.
The big rush of families usually begin in June, so it shouldn’t be crazy crowded at either time. No matter when they go, it will be beautiful. If they are entering through Red Lodge, tell them to eat at Bridge Creek (for fancier food) or the Red Lodge Cafe (for old school breakfast food and homemade pies).
I don’t know anything about Yellowstone, being that I’m in Ontario, Canada… but! I had to comment. How cute is that email from your dad?! Harnessing the power of th Internet? I love it.
I hope he enjoys his trip and that lots of folks have good ideas for him! If he’s ever heading to Canada, I can answer questions then. LOL.
I have been to Yellowstone during every month of the year since I live nearby. Late May is your best bet for the roads and weather. You’ll feel the back-end of the the Memorial Day crowds, but in return, you should be seeing spring babies and spring flowers. Even if some roads remain closed, if you are only going for 2 days, you will still find plenty to enjoy. http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hours.htm
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/open_closedates.htm#CP_JUMP_127493
Also check out the travel books in your local library.
The Swistlenet is amazing! Thanks to your collective wisdom, I now know that late May is a way better time to visit Yellowstone than early May, and that crowds shouldn’t be a problem. Also that I’m awesome and cute. Putting your wisdom into action, me ‘n’ my Sweetie have booked our end-of-May cabin for two romantic nights under the Yellowstone stars. And possibly snowdrifts.