Yellowstone National Park in October
October at Yellowstone National Park averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 22°F, with about 1.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes October a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 22°F
- Average high
- 46°F
Range across the year: 1°F to 72°F
- Precipitation
- 1.9 in
- Daylight
- 10.7 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 261,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.7×) and the November low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 49/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 34°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 61% of annual visitors, choosing October instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 10.7 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 8.6-hour midwinter low and the 15.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 4,762,988 recreation visits, about flat from 4,744,353 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 7.5%, so a October visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 61°F / 30°F | 2.1× Very busy | 37 Poor |
| October | 46°F / 22°F | 0.7× Quiet | 49 Fair |
| November | 32°F / 11°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
All twelve months at Yellowstone, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in October 2026
The National Park Service lists these Yellowstone facilities as closed during October 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- West Thumb Information Station (visitor center): closed all month (July 13, 2026 to December 31, 2026)
- Museum of the National Park Ranger (visitor center): closed all month (September 8, 2026 to June 11, 2027)
- Madison Information Station and Trailside Museum (visitor center): closed all month (September 13, 2026 to May 30, 2027)
- Bridge Bay Campground (campground): closed all month (September 14, 2026 to May 14, 2027)
- Indian Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (September 15, 2026 to June 11, 2027)
- Canyon Campground (campground): closed all month (September 20, 2026 to May 28, 2027)
- Grant Village Campground (campground): closed all month (September 27, 2026 to June 25, 2027)
- Tower Fall Campground (campground): closed all month (September 28, 2026 to May 21, 2027)
- Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum (visitor center): closed from October 4, 2026 to May 16, 2027
- Grant Visitor Center (visitor center): closed from October 4, 2026 to May 16, 2027
- Norris Geyser Basin Museum and Information Station (visitor center): closed from October 4, 2026 to May 16, 2027
- West Thumb Information Station (visitor center): closed from October 4, 2026 to May 16, 2027
- Lewis Lake Campground (campground): closed from October 12, 2026 to June 14, 2027
- Slough Creek Campground (campground): closed from October 13, 2026 to June 14, 2027
2 more facilities are listed as closed in October.
Things to do at Yellowstone in October
The National Park Service tags 64 Yellowstone activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Abandoned Railroad Bed Bike Trail · 2-4 hours
- Bunsen Peak Trail · 2-3 hours
- Dunraven Pass - Mount Washburn Trail · 3-6 hours
- Howard Eaton Trail (Canyon Area) · 5-6 hours
- Natural Bridge Trail · 1-2 hours
- Osprey Falls Trail · 4-6 hours
- Riddle Lake Trail · 2-4 hours
- Specimen Ridge Day Hike Trail · 2-4 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 22°F at Yellowstone National Park, with about 1.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is quiet at Yellowstone National Park (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 49/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is November. October sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 261,000 recreation visits at Yellowstone National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Yellowstone in October
Booking a October trip to Yellowstone National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Yellowstone
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in October.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.