Yellowstone National Park in October
Crowds and weather in October · NPS visitor counts 2022–2025 · NOAA 1991–2020 averages
October at a glance
Crowds: Quiet — about 10,645 visitors a day, 33% of the July peak. October is the 7th quietest month of 12.
Weather: average high 50°F (10°C), low 22°F (-6°C); 2.3 in (58 mm) of precipitation on about 6 days, 9 in of snow.
Verdict: × Cool.
Best balance at Yellowstone: May (55% of peak, high 55°F).
October visitors, year by year
| October | Recreation visits | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 236,567 | 7,631 |
| 2023 | 299,127 | 9,649 |
| 2024 | 346,025 | 11,162 |
| 2025 | 313,959 | 10,128 |
“Unusually low” marks a year when October's share of the annual total was less than half the other years' — usually a closure (storms, fire, a government shutdown) or a counting gap. The typical figure above uses the median share of 2022–2025, scaled to 2025's total.
October compared with the months around it
| Month | Crowds · visitors/day | High / low · precip. |
|---|---|---|
| September | Peak89% of peak · 28,301/day | 65° / 30°F1.7 in · 4 wet days |
| October | Quiet33% of peak · 10,645/day | 50° / 22°F2.3 in · 6 wet days |
| November | Very quiet2% of peak · 783/day | 35° / 10°F2.2 in · 7 wet days |
All 12 months at Yellowstone →
Other parks with mild weather and fewer people in October
- Grand Teton
35% of peak · high 56°F
- Lassen Volcanic
40% of peak · high 59°F
- Big Bend
51% of peak · high 80°F
- Joshua Tree
52% of peak · high 85°F
- Rocky Mountain
52% of peak · high 57°F
- Kings Canyon
52% of peak · high 63°F
Months with few visitors can mean seasonal closures of roads, shuttles or campgrounds. Check current conditions on the official Yellowstone National Park website before you go.
Sources. Visitor counts: National Park Service, Visitor Use Statistics (recreation visits, final figures through 2025; typical months use 2022–2025). Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station OLD FAITHFUL, USC00486845, 7,352 ft / 2,241 m). Both are U.S. Government works in the public domain. How we calculate.
Park Months is an independent site and is not affiliated with the National Park Service or NOAA.