United States, North America

Yellowstone in May

Roads reopen in stages through the month and baby-animal season peaks: bison calves, bear cubs, roaring waterfalls. Some passes and services open late in May.

BestCool and changeable, highs near 60F (16C), snow showers possible

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

The straight answer

May is one of the best months of the year to visit Yellowstone. Roads reopen in stages through the month and baby-animal season peaks: bison calves, bear cubs, roaring waterfalls. Some passes and services open late in May.

Weather: Cool and changeable, highs near 60F (16C), snow showers possible
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What May is like in Yellowstone

May is when Yellowstone wakes up. Days are cool and changeable, with highs near 60F (16C) and snow showers still possible. Roads reopen in stages through the month, and some passes and services do not open until late May. Baby animal season peaks, with bison calves, bear cubs, and waterfalls roaring with snowmelt. Crowds are still light.

It suits wildlife lovers and families willing to pack for cold mornings. Late May is the sweet spot, when most roads are open and summer crowds have not arrived. Check road status often, since a spring storm can close a pass for a day or two.

Make the most of May

What is especially good about Yellowstone this month.

Baby animal season

Bison calves, elk calves, and bear cubs are everywhere in May. Hayden and Lamar valleys are great places to watch at dawn and dusk.

Roaring waterfalls

Snowmelt pushes the Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to full power. Artist Point at sunrise is the classic view.

Uncrowded geyser basins

Before the summer rush, Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic are easy to enjoy, with parking still available.

What to pack for May

A warm insulated jacket and winter hat for cold mornings
Waterproof hiking boots
A rain and snow shell
Binoculars for wildlife
Bear spray

Our timing tip

Aim for the last week of May, when most roads and services are open, and check the park's road status each morning before you drive.

Book Yellowstone for May.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Yellowstone
Opens a hotel search for Yellowstone in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for May
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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 May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in May

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.