When to go to Wyoming for powwows, powder and Yellowstone thrills

22.07.2024 - 16:06 / lonelyplanet.com / Jackson Hole

Jul 21, 2024 • 6 min read

For most visitors, Wyoming is at its best during the summer, when the mountains and lakes are at their most welcoming, hiking trails are clear and campgrounds are heavy with the smell of burning s'mores. This is also the season when the state celebrates its rich frontier and Indigenous heritage with powwows, mountain man rendezvous and staged shootouts, setting the backdrop for a perfect family vacation.

To avoid the crowds at the state’s biggest draws – the famous Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks – consider the quieter spring and fall seasons, especially if you can decipher Yellowstone’s complicated opening and closing schedule. Winter is beautiful in Wyoming if you are equipped for the cold – Yellowstone is particularly magical under a blanket of snow, while the skiing in sophisticated Jackson Hole ranks among the nation’s finest.

Whether you are headed to Wyoming for epic hiking and camping, downhill skiing or the highlights of Yellowstone and Grand Teton without the crowds, here are the best months to come.

High summer is easily the most popular time to visit Wyoming, with national park visitor numbers, temperatures and room rates all hitting their peak. July to September are also the best months for snow-free hiking and backpacking, as well as for lowland water sports, cultural festivals and some epic road tripping. Just remember to pack mosquito spray.

You’ll need to book summer accommodation well in advance for Yellowstone and Grand Teton, but elsewhere "peak season" is a relative term. Even in July, you can have large parts of this under-appreciated state to yourself.

The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are the in-the-know times to visit Wyoming's biggest draws: Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Jackson Hole. September is hands down our favorite single month for travel in Wyoming, with cheaper accommodation rates, easier availability, better wildlife watching and refreshingly crowd-free trails.

The weather is less predictable in April and October, but is often mild – just pack a range of clothes for sudden changes in the weather. Wyoming campgrounds are generally open from May until mid-September or October.

Thanks to Wyoming’s extreme continental climate, winters are long and harsh, but for the well-equipped, a huge range of outdoor activities are on offer, often with incredible backdrops. Take your pick from Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and winter wildlife-watching. Jackson Hole is the most famous stop for world-class skiing but it's also a great place for non-skiers, with winter sleigh rides through the snow adding a romantic touch.

The year’s coldest month brings legendary powder to Jackson Hole’s three premier ski resorts – Jackson Hole Mountain