Yellowstone in October

October is the last month of the summer season in Yellowstone. The last day the roads to the interior of the park are open each year is October 31. They will remain completely closed until mid-December, allowing the snow to pile up for the use of over-snow vehicles during the winter season. The road from Mammoth to Cooke City remains open year-round to allow the residents access to the outside world.

So what’s it like in Yellowstone in October?

This is a great time to visit Yellowstone, as wildlife is out and about, and you can enjoy nice days or experience a touch of winter. The fall colors are often still at their peak early in the month, and the crowds have dwindled.

But with the rolling shutdown of services offered, you need to be more self-sufficient while in the park. That said, the gateway communities are always glad to extend the season and provide the services you’ll need.

Weather

Winter begins early in northwest Wyoming. Starting in September, it’s not unusual to see snow on the high peaks. By October, storms can come more frequently. But between the storms, some of the nicest fall weather is found, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s during the day and lows around freezing at night.

Be prepared to drive in winter weather. Storms often come through about once a week, leaving snow and ice to navigate. Often, a Four Wheel Drive is recommended. Also, bring clothes that layer so you’re ready for any type of weather October might throw at you.

Roads

Roads can close due to winter weather. Here on the East side of the park, you can now check the East Entrance Webcam to see if the gates are open or closed. At an elevation of about 8,524 feet, Sylvan Pass will see snow accumulate enough to justify temporary closures of the East Entrance road. Check the road conditions in Yellowstone online.

Additionally, you can subscribe to Yellowstone Road Alerts text messages to your phone from the National Park Service by texting “82190” to 888-777. Or you can call (307) 344-2117 for up-to-date recorded information. You will receive texts about closures due to weather as well as accidents, or other incidents.

The Beartooth Highway closes in October. The actual closing date is often weather-dependent. The road to the Northeast entrance (the other Cody Road to Yellowstone) can also close depending on the amount of snow received. To find information on the Beartooth Highway, check the Montana Department of Transportation Interactive Map.

Services

After Labor Day, services in Yellowstone begin to shut down. Gas stations will close their doors and leave the pumps open. Wrecker services are still available, but they may take longer if there’s an accident. Restaurants and stores will begin closing their doors for the season, leaving mostly grab-and-go food available in at least one location at every major hub in the park. You’ll still be able to find restrooms and pit toilets open throughout the park.

Lodging

With the increasing number of nights below freezing, campgrounds will begin closing down. Madison is one of the last campgrounds open in the park’s interior, sitting at a lower elevation. The campground outside of Mammoth is the only one open year-round.

Lodges in the Park also begin their shutdown, often starting with Roosevelt Lodge in September. Only a handful remain open by October, notably Snow Lodge at Old Faithful and Mammoth Hotel. Gift shops and other stores will also close up for the winter.

Wildlife

Bears are out and about, eating all they can during the hyperphagia they experience before hibernation. Animals that have moved higher in altitude during the summer are pushed down to lower elevations by the snow. This is a great month to come see wildlife. The buffalo are adding their winter coats, which look stunning. Elk still have their antlers and also look magnificent. Coyotes and foxes also get their lovely heavy winter coats. Deer are migrating to their winter grounds and are often seen along North Fork (the road between Cody and Yellowstone). Wolves can be seen throughout the year, but in the fall, they also follow the wildlife to lower elevations. And the Trumpeter Swans return to their winter waters.

Thermal Features

Visiting and photographing the thermal features in Yellowstone also gives a mix, along with the weather. On warm, sunny days, the colors are still intense, but the hotter hot springs will likely have steam throughout the day. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Steam can create fog that gives lovely atmospheric elements to the scenes.

Fall is often when we see thermal energy shifts in the geyser basins. This could be due to lower water levels in the surface groundwater. Whatever the true reason, it’s not uncommon to see geysers reactivate that have been quiet for some time or for ones that have been active to quiet down.

In addition, the sun is lower in the sky during October, giving truly remarkable light when it’s behind you, shining on an eruption that creates rainbows.

Cody Welcomes You in October

The gateway communities welcome you to visit Yellowstone in October, and Cody is set to make your visit the best. Often, when the park is experiencing a snowstorm, Cody has delightful fall weather in a warmer banana belt on the east side. The tour guides are still running to ensure you have everything you’ll need for your October trip into the park and will handle the driving.

A visitor recently said, “Cody is the epicenter of events.” And you’ll get to experience the shift to winter that accentuates our small-town mode, which is full of events. From Halloween Putt Putt to Gallagher’s Corn Maze, there’s much to enjoy here with a long list of events. We just happen to have Yellowstone as our backyard. In addition, we have what many refer to as “the Smithsonian of the West” in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West—five museums in one. There’s plenty to do in town as well as in the park.

Consider using Cody as your basecamp for a memorable trip to the area in October.

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