Yellowstone in Springtime

With more than two million acres to explore and countless adventures to be had, Yellowstone National Park is a fantastic vacation destination any time of the year, and spring is no exception! Our campgrounds and lodges start to open from late April to early June, so this is the perfect time to pack the car or gas up the RV and head to one of America’s most loved national parks for a long weekend escape or a longer getaway.

Here are five great reasons to visit Yellowstone National Park this spring.

1. It’s prime time to discover park wildlife such as wolves and bears.

Embark on the Spring Wolf and Bear Discovery package, where you can join a Yellowstone Forever naturalist guide for early-morning trips into the park’s Northern Range to look for bears and wolves. During the day, while you hike through their habitats, you’ll learn about these creatures’ behavior and conservation. Wolves give birth in April after a gestation period of 63 days. Their young may emerge from the den at 10–14 days old. The pack then remains near the den for three to ten weeks. Grizzlies give birth in their den in the winter. While most bears leave their dens by early May, females with cubs typically remain within 1.86 miles (3 km) of their dens until late May.

2. You’re likely to spot baby animals.

As the park awakens after a long winter, our animal families begin to grow. In May, you may catch a glimpse of bison and elk calves, bighorn sheep lambs, and bear cubs. You might even see a baby pronghorn antelope! Here are some tips on where to spot animals in the park:

• Lamar Valley & Hayden Valley – Look for black bears along the roadside meadows and bison herds with calves throughout the valley.
• Lamar Valley – Look for wolf pups emerging from their dens on the mountain slopes. The wetlands in the valley provide the best chance to spot moose in the park.
• Mammoth Hot Springs – Known for elk frequenting the village area in spring and fall. But be aware of your surroundings and never get within 25 yards of elk. Mothers will hide newborn calves in the sage and grass bushes and will fiercely protect their babies this time of year.

3. It’s a great time to make a lodging reservation.

As summer lodges within the park begin to fill up, we typically have availability over the first few weeks after opening, so this is the perfect time to reserve a room! Check out our lodges here and choose from historic landmark hotels, inns, cabins, and rustic lodges.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel at dusk

4. If you like a more “intimate” experience, spring is a great time to visit.

Springtime is a perfect season to plan your visit if you prefer fewer people than what peak summer season brings. Facilities like roads, lodges, restaurants, gift shops, and visitor centers open on a staggered schedule starting in the month of April – check out the full list of National Park Service facility opening and closing dates for more details. By Memorial Day weekend, all roads in the park are open.

5. There are many spring tours and packages to choose from.

Spring is a great time to take part in a tour or package in Yellowstone and leave the planning to us! If you’re bringing the family along, check out the Yellowstone For Families package, with adventures that are perfectly suited for kids aged 8-12. For a great overall park experience, try our Spring into Yellowstone Package. Check out all of our spring packages here. Our daily adventures begin in mid-May and offer various tours, from photography to wildlife watching, geyser gazing, and more.

For A World of Unforgettable Experiences^® available from Xanterra Travel Collection^® and our sister companies, visit xanterra.com.

Want to experience Yellowstone in-depth? See what makes Yellowstone National Park a great place to work for a season or longer!