United States, North America

Yellowstone in April

Most roads remain closed until the staged openings begin in late April. Late-month visitors on the newly opened west-side roads get bears and near-empty boardwalks.

Think twiceThaw and mud, highs near 49F (9C), snow still likely

Aerial view of Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone — YellowstonePhoto: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

April is a month to think twice about visiting Yellowstone. Most roads remain closed until the staged openings begin in late April. Late-month visitors on the newly opened west-side roads get bears and near-empty boardwalks.

Weather: Thaw and mud, highs near 49F (9C), snow still likely
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What April is like in Yellowstone

April is thaw and mud, with highs near 49F (9C) and snow still likely. Most park roads stay closed until staged openings begin in late April, usually starting with the west-side roads. Services are very limited, and weather can delay any opening.

This is an avoid month for most people. There is little you can reach and few places to stay. The exception is late April, when visitors on newly opened west-side roads can find bears and near-empty boardwalks, and the first bison calves appear. For a trip where everything works, pick late May, June, or September instead.

Make the most of April

What is especially good about Yellowstone this month.

First bison calves

Reddish bison calves, called red dogs, start appearing in late April, the start of the park's baby animal season.

Bears waking up

Late April visitors on the newly opened roads can spot bears searching for food near the roadsides.

Quiet boardwalks

The first basins to open are nearly empty in late April, a rare chance to see geysers without crowds.

What to pack for April

Waterproof boots for mud and slush
A warm jacket and layers for sudden snow
Binoculars
Bear spray, and learn how to use it

Our timing tip

Check the park's road status page before booking an April trip, and plan for the last week of the month when the west-side roads usually open.

Book Yellowstone for April.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Yellowstone
Opens a hotel search for Yellowstone in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for April
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Vacation rentals in Yellowstone
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Yellowstone
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Yellowstone for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in April

Baby wildlife season

Late April through June

Bison calves, called red dogs for their color, appear from late April; bear cubs and elk calves follow. Spring is the park's maternity ward.

Things to do in Yellowstone

Full guide

Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin

See the famous eruption, then walk the basin's boardwalks, where Grand, Riverside, and Castle geysers reward those who check predicted times at the visitor center.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Grand Prismatic Spring

The boardwalk gets you close; the overlook trail from the Fairy Falls parking area gets you the postcard view. Midday color is best, midday parking is worst.

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Lamar Valley at dawn

The park's wildlife theater: wolves, bison, bears, and pronghorn. Bring binoculars, arrive before sunrise, and pull fully off the road to watch.

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Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Artist Point at sunrise is the classic. The Uncle Tom's area and North Rim viewpoints each frame the Lower Falls differently; give the canyon a half day.

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Hayden Valley

The central bison superhighway, best at dawn and dusk. Traffic jams here are caused by the residents; budget slack time in every drive.

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Mammoth Hot Springs

Travertine terraces near the year-round North Entrance. In September and October, rutting elk take over the lawns; give them serious distance.

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Beat the crowds

Work dawn to 10am and 5pm to dusk, and hide out midday: wildlife and parking both vanish in the middle of the day in summer, and both return in the evening.
Sleep inside the park or in Gardiner or Cooke City on the quieter north side; day-trippers from West Yellowstone and Jackson all surge in on the same schedule.
Drive the Grand Loop counterclockwise to the day-tripper flow and hit the marquee basins at breakfast or dinner time rather than at noon.
Walk ten minutes past any trailhead: even in August, the crowds evaporate a half mile from the road at spots like the Fairy Falls approach or the canyon rim trails.

Know before you go

Most park roads close to regular vehicles from about early November to late April, with openings staged through spring: west-side roads typically first in late April, higher passes like Dunraven last, into late May. Snow can delay any of it.
The one year-round road runs across the park's north side, from the North Entrance at Gardiner through Mammoth to the Northeast Entrance and Cooke City. In winter that is the only park road for regular cars, and the highway beyond Cooke City closes seasonally.
Winter interior access runs roughly mid December to mid March, by commercially guided snowcoach and snowmobile only, to destinations like Old Faithful. It is unforgettable, capacity-limited, and priced accordingly; book well ahead.
In-park lodges, campgrounds, and services operate seasonally, mostly from May or June to early October, with only limited winter operations. October and April visitors should expect most services closed even when some roads are open.