Yellowstone in Spring

Yellowstone National Park in the spring is a vibrant and dynamic destination, bursting with life as the natural world awakens from winter. Due to the mountainous terrain and its inland location, Yellowstone’s winters are considered some of the harshest in the lower 48, and they can last a long time too! While other areas of the country are enjoying the return of warm temperatures and blooming flowers, Yellowstone is still tucked under a blanket of white snow until June. We may not see winter’s grip recede just yet, but the animals are certainly celebrating the end of the cold season. In the midst of this transition, it is important to plan ahead and know what roads will be open and what to expect on your travels.

The seasonal transition into spring might be slow to warm up, but there is an undeniable shift in the park. Mornings come sooner and evenings come later- this is the cue that wildlife are waiting for. Certain instincts, like migration, are ruled by a biological response- the circadian rhythm. The changes in daylight urge the elk to begin moving north again, and birds will begin their migration back to summer nesting grounds here in Yellowstone. Elk are an extremely common sight at this time while they move across the landscape, sometimes in staggering numbers. Moose, who love the chilly temperatures, are also easy to spot now before they retreat into the cooler shelter of the forest when things heat up. Bears respond more to temperatures and snow pack than sunlight, meaning the timing of their emergence from the den can vary slightly. Typically, male bears emerge first in March. Following them are the females without cubs, and lastly, females with cubs are out by mid May. Because of the deep snowpack in higher elevations, bears remain lower, making them more visible to park visitors.

The park doesn’t completely open all at once. There are five entrances to Yellowstone, and all have different opening dates. The entrances that we can access from Jackson Hole are the West Entrance and the South Entrance. The West Entrance opens earlier, typically the third Friday of April at 8am. Three weeks later, the South Entrance opens. These are the default planned opening days, but it can be delayed depending on weather and road conditions.

Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris takes advantage of the early opening of the West Entrance. When you book a tour with us before the South Entrance is open, we will take you over Teton Pass and travel north through Idaho to the West Entrance. We can explore the lower loop of the park, visiting the same highlights, before exiting again through the same entrance and returning to Jackson over Teton Pass.

The rest of the year when the South Entrance is open, this is the way we go. The South Entrance also allows us to travel through Grand Teton National Park. Stunning mountain views of the Teton Range will greet you bathed in beautiful alpenglow light first thing in the morning. Wildlife are active during the early hours, perfect timing for your journey to the park entrance! Throughout this 10-12 hour excursion, you will travel the southern loop of Yellowstone. On this route, you will see most of the famous highlights like Old Faithful Geyser, the sprawling Hayden Valley, colorful geothermal pools, and the stunning Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Furthermore, you will enjoy a delicious, picturesque picnic along the way. You will learn fun and fascinating facts about the incredible volcanic landscape and the exciting history of the area, giving you a connection to the park you never expected!

With Yellowstone sprawling over 2.2 million acres, you may want more time to explore more and really get into the nooks and crannies, discovering some hidden gems. Our multi-day tours offer 2-3 days dedicated to exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Springtime offers some of the most beautiful scenes, and if wildlife is something you’re interested in, this is the time! Grizzly bears are active from coming out of hibernation, elk are migrating, and wolves are still at their peak in the cold weather. Spring in Yellowstone is such a rich and exciting time in the ecosystem, you won’t want to leave!

Don’t wait to book your safari! Reserve your spot in advance to secure your once-in-a-lifetime adventure during your vacation. Yellowstone tours are one of the most popular activities for those visiting Jackson Hole and we book up quickly. We can’t wait to explore with you!