Yes, Yellowstone is AWESOME in September (Planning Guide)

Yellowstone in September bull elk with velvet antlers — September starts the elk bugling season at Yellowstone National Park (Shutterstock/Yevhenii Chulovskyi)

ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Yellowstone in September

If you like surprises, you’ll love Yellowstone National Park in September. And you’ll join about 850,000 other people, too. Go to Yellowstone in September for the love of fall and the crisp air, not so much to assume you’ll avoid crowds.

Truly, Yellowstone in September is a force to be reckoned with. You might experience all four seasons in one trip. Wildlife roam in the pre-winter party spirit, giving a unique experience compared to spring or summer.

As a Virgo, my birthday trips come every September. I researched to the point of handwritten notes by park rangers, only to find one September is the “second summer” and another included snowy road closures at all edges of the park.

I put together my experience to help you plan the perfect Yellowstone in September trip, birthday or not.

Online Editor & Social Media Coordinator

Jennifer Hardy

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Yellowstone in September

Table of contents: Yellowstone in September

5 Quick Things to Know about Yellowstone National Park in September
Access to Yellowstone in September
September Weather in Yellowstone National Park
September Wildlife in Yellowstone
Fall Foliage at Yellowstone in September
Final Thoughts about Yellowstone in September
Map of September in Yellowstone
- Pin Yellowstone in September
Helpful Related Articles

5 Quick Things to Know about Yellowstone National Park in September

Entrance fees for Yellowstone National Park start at $20 per person (walking or biking in) and $35 per private vehicle. Reservations are not required, but buying your pass ahead of time will keep traffic moving.
It makes more sense to purchase an interagency park pass for $80, especially for those planning to also visit Grand Teton National Park. Since both parks charge $35 per vehicle, you’ll spend $70 anyway. Plus, the interagency pass gives you access to more than 2,000 public lands for a full year.
All roads remain open through September (weather permitting), but not all amenities are available monthlong. We’ll dive deeper into this in a little bit, but by no means should you assume September at Yellowstone runs on all cylinders.
Yellowstone in September still gets crowds. Expect more people around Memorial Day and the fourth Saturday in September, which is National Public Lands Day.
As important as it is to know the September weather in Yellowstone, it’s still part of wildfire season, too. I’m going to give you some tools to help check those conditions before and during your trip.

Yellowstone in the fall is known for the elk rut. — A bull elk bugling in Yellowstone National Park during the fall rut.

Access to Yellowstone in September

Depending on where you’re from, September might still seem like a month when everything can be open and available. In Yellowstone, some parts start closing down throughout the month. An early September visit to Yellowstone allows for more amenities. A late September visit means smaller(ish) crowds.

Let’s start by going through getting into Yellowstone National Park in September.

Yellowstone Entrances

All five entrances to Yellowstone National Park plan to be open throughout the month of September. The entrances are as follows:

West/West Yellowstone
South Entrance (To/From Grand Teton)
East Entrance/Closest Town is Cody, WY
Northeast Entrance/Cooke City
North Entrance/Gardiner, MT

YELLOWSTONE AIRPORTS: Pair your preferred entrance with the best airport nearby. We’ve put together this list of airports near Yellowstone for you.

The major caveat comes with the northeast entrance, as getting there from outside the park requires taking the Beartooth Highway. For those who tell you, “It’s so unlikely Beartooth will close in September,” let me set the record straight.

According to the notes from Yellowstone Park Rangers, Beartooth Highway was closed for part of or the entire month of September in 2017, 2014, and 2005. On the off chance, this happens during your 30th birthday, as it did mine, you’re looking at a 3-4 hour detour through East Yellowstone or Gardiner.

WYOMING ROAD CONDITIONS

MONTANA ROAD CONDITIONS

YELLOWSTONE ROAD CONDITIONS

Yellowstone National Park Camping in September

Those looking for the bug-free bliss of camping at Yellowstone in September need to pay close attention to the dates. Campgrounds are one aspect that starts to wind down this month. Of the 12 campgrounds in the park, at least four (Bridge Bay, Canyon, Grand Village, and Indian Creek) close between September 1 and September 14. At least four more stay open through mid-October.

Campsite in Yellowstone in the fall. — Camping is a great activity at Yellowstone in the fall. Be sure to check the tiered level of closures as winter approaches.

Yellowstone Hotels and Lodging in September

If you’re just here to find Yellowstone National Park hotels/lodging, check out our review of Where to Stay in Yellowstone, with the pros and cons of each region.

The good news about visiting Yellowstone in September is that all of the hotels inside and outside the park are open the entire month. Roosevelt Lodge Cabins stands as the only exception, closing in early September.

In Wyoming and Montana, prepare to pay 11% – 12% resort, lodging, and sales taxes on top of the room price. For those staying mid-week at Yellowstone in September, a room outside the park isn’t a bad idea since traffic won’t be as bad as on weekends or holidays.

During those busy weekends and holidays, either plan to get up super early to beat the crowds (and watch the sunrise) or consider a room inside the park, preferably closest to the area you want to explore the most.

September Weather in Yellowstone National Park

I write with a bit of a smirk on my face that Yellowstone National Park averages a high of 62°F in September and a low of 31°F. What that really means is the high (and will be) anywhere between 80°F and 40°F – maybe even 90°F and 30°F. What’s more? A high of 85°F one day and a high of 44°F isn’t an anomaly. That’s just September in Yellowstone.

Those patterns grow more pronounced the higher in elevation you go! In fact, you’re already starting out a trip to Yellowstone National Park at 7,800 feet above sea level. About 4,000 more feet of elevation rise up on roads and trails not closed for early storms.

Yellowstone snow in September can be anywhere from one to eight or more inches, usually at higher elevations like Sylvan Pass. Here you can see snow in late September of 2021 made it all the way to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. In late September 2023, Sylvan Pass got enough white stuff to build a snowman.

On average, less than 1.5 inches of snow can be expected in Yellowstone at Mammoth Hot Springs in September. Pack shorts and your winter coat, and love every blissful seasonal shift.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone,in the sunlight — Grand Canyon of Yellowstone | Yellowstone National Park (Shutterstock/Framalicious)

September Wildlife in Yellowstone

A unique aspect of late summer/early fall in Yellowstone National Park arrives with a loud, piercing cry of the bugling elk. (If you have dogs and want to have some fun, click that link and turn the volume up. My dogs are going nuts!)

This activity picks up the first or second week in September and goes through October. Eagles and hawks start migrating around this time of year, so don’t forget to look up and see their majestic soaring patterns above the mountain tops.

Bears wander down to the lower elevations, like Hayden and Lamar Valleys, looking for fattening food as they prepare for the winter torpor (hibernation light).

NPS Wildlife Distance — This chart from the National Park Service shows how much space to give wildlife in Yellowstone National Park.

Visiting Yellowstone, Yellowstone Itinerary — Remember: Just because they are friend-shaped doesn’t mean they are friends. (Shutterstock/Todaysfotos)

Fall Foliage at Yellowstone in September

The colorful signal of a seasonal change takes over different landscapes through Yellowstone in the fall. Mid to late September is ideal for the upper elevations, with a slow pour of vibrant hues pouring below 7,000 feet from late September through early November.

Old Faithful and Geyser Basins (7,349 ft): While renowned for its geysers, these areas are also surrounded by vibrant aspen and cottonwood trees.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in the fall (7,800 ft): As you stand on the edge of this dramatic canyon, marvel at the blend of golden aspens and deep orange hues that frame the breathtaking waterfalls.
Mammoth Hot Springs (6,735 ft): Explore the unique terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs adorned with fiery foliage.
West Thumb Geyser Basin (7,792 ft.) This lesser-explored gem offers a tranquil lakeside setting adorned with trees showcasing brilliant shades of red and gold at Yellowstone in the fall.
Lamar Valley (6,400 ft): A wildlife enthusiast’s paradise, this valley transforms at Yellowstone in the fall, with meadows and forests taking on warm tones.
Fairy Falls Trail (7,270 ft): The trail weaves through meadows and forests, with the waterfall as your rewarding final.
Artist Paint Pots Trail (7,600 ft)This short hike showcases geothermal features and vibrant hues at Yellowstone in the fall.

If you take nothing else away from this article, please heed this warning – strongly reconsider a hike up Mount Washburn in September. Those hungry grizzlies are all over this mountain stocking up on food. At the bare minimum, speak to a ranger about bear activity and travel in as large (and noisy) of a group as possible. It sucks because September is one of the few months of the year Washburn isn’t buried in snow.

Fall foliage with wintry mountains in the background is a hallmark of Yellowstone in the fall. — It juxtaposition of winter and fall foliage collide at Yellowstone in the fall. (Shutterstock/Dori Dumrong)

Final Thoughts about Yellowstone in September

I wouldn’t take one snowy or wet-footed step away from my memories of my September Yellowstone adventure. The unpredictability of the atmosphere makes it that much more wild. Even the few things I wasn’t 100% comfortable doing on my own came with a long list of tour options. The guides know the best places to find wildlife and can also pay much closer attention than you might to the weather and wildfire risk.

The ephemeral beauty of September in America’s first national park becomes palpable. Visitation grows each year as more people discover this magical month. September visitor numbers increased by 50% in the past decade. October numbers drop about 60%, but more amenities will be closed, and you risk an actual snowstorm, not just a few inches that could fall in September.

If you have more questions about Yellowstone in September, drop them in the comments below.