Yellowstone Visit in spring: To those with experience at Yellowstone, we are considering a May trip to Yellowstone. What is your thought about a best time visit to avoid road closures...

joepeva Loc: TN

To those with experience at Yellowstone, we are considering a May trip to Yellowstone. What is your thought about a best time visit to avoid road closures and facilities are open. Would like to photograph the park in its spring beauty however we could wait until September

grandpaw

My wife and I went from May 8th to the 26th last year and there were only one or two places closed. Most were open and there was snow on the ground.

joepeva Loc: TN

Thank you for your reply. I enjoy your work very much.

grandpaw

joepeva wrote:

Thank you for your reply. I enjoy your work very much.

Thanks and have a great trip!

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

joepeva wrote:

To those with experience at Yellowstone, we are considering a May trip to Yellowstone. What is your thought about a best time visit to avoid road closures and facilities are open. Would like to photograph the park in its spring beauty however we could wait until September

Check the Yosemite Conservancy web site for local conditions. May in the western Sierras can be iffy in the higher elevations. You will definitely get to the Valley floor, but the road to Tolumue is usually closed then.

Whatever you do, make your reservations now, because there is no slack season.

joepeva Loc: TN

Thank you for your rapid response. Yosemite or Yellowstone?

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

May is the best time for bears. We spent 2 weeks their last year and will be going back this May. You may get some snow, we did.

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Go to this website and register with them.

https://yellowstone.net/forums

You should be able to find answers to your questions about the park.

reguli Loc: Uruguay

I went to Yellowstone end of may 2017 and it was a beautiful time to go. But try to see in the website of Yellowstone if all the entrances are open, because sometimes dued to the snow the south entrance is closed and you must drive 150 miles to other entrance depending from where you arrive.

joepeva Loc: TN

Thank you, I am sure we will be there also.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Check the Yosemite Conservancy web site for local conditions. May in the western Sierras can be iffy in the higher elevations. You will definitely get to the Valley floor, but the road to Tolumue is usually closed then.

Whatever you do, make your reservations now, because there is no slack season.

Why would this be of any interest to someone going to Yellowstone???

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

joepeva wrote:

To those with experience at Yellowstone, we are considering a May trip to Yellowstone. What is your thought about a best time visit to avoid road closures and facilities are open. Would like to photograph the park in its spring beauty however we could wait until September

May is always the best month for Yellowstone as it has not yet been inundated with tourists. All roads will be open with Dunraven Pass being the last due to heavier snow up there. Your approach might be limited depending on the exact timing of your trip but most access roads will be open with the exception of the NE access via the Beartooth Pass which does not open until Memorial Day weekend. Bring warm clothes as the nights will be cold and small snowstorms will not be unusual.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

We went to Grand Teton ealy May last year and the south ennrance of Yellowstone wasn't open until May 19. LOTS of snow this year, so check before you go.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

joepeva wrote:

To those with experience at Yellowstone, we are considering a May trip to Yellowstone. What is your thought about a best time visit to avoid road closures and facilities are open. Would like to photograph the park in its spring beauty however we could wait until September

Call the park office, they will have the information you are seeking.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Snow happens, so be prepared. That said, spring is a great time to go, especially because schools are still in session so there won’t be hordes of people. But the best part of spring are the new babies. Little red bisons, bear cubs, little prong horns, baby moose. We went in May and there was still ice on Yellowstone lake and one quadrant of the park was closed because of avalanche danger. It even snowed a little on the way from Jackson Hole to the park. There is a photo tour where you’re taken around in one of the original park “buses” (charming) that would be worth your while. Wish I could remember the name of it. Do bring a long zoom as some animals will be close and others far. At the time, I was shooting with a Sigma zoom that went to 400mm. The reason I suggested a zoom is that you don’t want to be changing lenses when an animal appears in front of you or sighted from a long distance.