Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park in June
June weather, activities, events & insider tips
June Weather in Yellowstone National Park
Is June Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak wildlife viewing month - bears, wolves, bison calves, and elk are highly active. June is when you'll see newborn animals, and predators are easier to spot as they hunt to feed their young. Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are particularly productive during dawn hours (5:30-8:00am).
- All park roads typically open by early June 2026 - you'll have full access to the Grand Loop Road including Dunraven Pass and the Beartooth Highway connection, which means you can actually complete the full circuit without backtracking. Tower-Canyon road section usually opens late May, giving you the entire park to explore.
- Wildflower explosion across the meadows and valleys - lupine, Indian paintbrush, and arrowleaf balsamroot create stunning foregrounds for photography. The peak bloom window is roughly June 10-25, varying by elevation. You'll find the best displays along the trails from Old Faithful to Observation Point and throughout the northern range.
- Waterfalls are at maximum flow from snowmelt - Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is particularly dramatic, and you can actually feel the mist from Uncle Tom's Trail viewpoint. The roar is genuinely impressive. Mystic Falls and Fairy Falls are also running strong, making the hikes more rewarding than later summer visits.
Considerations
- Afternoon thunderstorms develop quickly, typically between 2:00-5:00pm - they're brief but intense, with lightning that makes exposed ridgelines genuinely dangerous. You'll want to start hikes early and be off high ground by early afternoon. These storms drop temperatures by 11°C (20°F) in minutes.
- Mosquitoes and biting insects are relentless in wet areas and forests, particularly in the backcountry and around thermal features with standing water. Peak bug pressure is mid-June through early July. You'll need DEET or picaridin, not just natural repellents - the mosquitoes here are aggressive.
- Crowds build throughout the month as schools let out - early June (before June 15) sees roughly 40% fewer visitors than late June. By the third week, you're competing for parking at Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and Artist Point. Expect 30-45 minute waits for parking at major thermal features during midday in late June.
Best Activities in June
Dawn Wildlife Watching in Lamar Valley
June is absolutely the month for wildlife in Yellowstone - you're visiting during peak activity when bears are foraging up to 20 hours daily and wolf packs are teaching pups to hunt. The Lamar Valley, often called America's Serengeti, is most productive between 5:30-8:30am when animals are active before the heat. Bring binoculars or rent a spotting scope - you'll be viewing from roadside pullouts at distances of 90-275m (100-300 yards). The combination of newborn elk calves, active predators, and long daylight hours (sunrise around 5:20am) makes this the premier wildlife month. Temperature at dawn is typically 2-7°C (35-45°F), warming quickly.
Thermal Feature Photography Circuits
June offers ideal conditions for photographing Yellowstone's geothermal features - the cool morning air creates dramatic steam plumes at places like Grand Prismatic Spring, Norris Geyser Basin, and the Upper Geyser Basin. The contrast between 4°C (39°F) morning air and 93°C (200°F) water produces the most photogenic steam effects, which dissipate by 10:00am as temperatures rise. The wildflowers blooming around thermal features in mid-to-late June add color that's absent in summer. Plan for 2-3 hours at each major basin, starting at sunrise when the light is warm and crowds are minimal.
Backcountry Day Hikes to Alpine Lakes
June is when Yellowstone's high-elevation trails become accessible as snowpack melts, typically opening between June 5-20 depending on winter severity. Trails like Mount Washburn (9.7km/6 miles round trip), Avalanche Peak (8km/5 miles), and the hike to Heart Lake (12km/7.5 miles) offer solitude compared to boardwalk attractions. You'll encounter snow patches above 2,440m (8,000 feet) even in late June, but trails are generally passable. The wildflower displays at elevation are spectacular mid-month. Start hikes by 7:00am to avoid afternoon thunderstorms - lightning on exposed ridges is a real hazard.
Fly Fishing the Firehole and Madison Rivers
June is prime time for Yellowstone's legendary fly fishing as rivers are full from runoff but clearing by mid-month, and insect hatches are prolific. The Firehole River offers unique warm-water fishing near thermal features, while the Madison River downstream of Madison Junction is classic trout water. Runoff peaks early June, so the best fishing is typically June 15-30 when visibility improves. You'll fish for native Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. Wading requires caution - currents are strong and rocks are slippery. Expect to spend 4-6 hours on the water.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim Hikes
The canyon is spectacular in June when Lower Falls is thundering at peak flow from snowmelt - you'll hear it from 0.8km (0.5 miles) away. The combination of dramatic water volume, wildflowers along the rim trails, and relatively moderate temperatures makes this the ideal month for the South Rim Trail and Uncle Tom's Trail (328 metal stairs down to the spray zone). The North Rim Trail to Lookout Point and Inspiration Point offers different perspectives. Plan 3-4 hours to hike both rims. Morning light (7:00-10:00am) illuminates the canyon walls beautifully for photography.
Scenic Drives Through Northern Range
June is when the Beartooth Highway (connecting Yellowstone's northeast entrance to Red Lodge, Montana) opens for the season, typically by late May or early June depending on snow. This 109km (68 mile) drive climbs to 3,337m (10,947 feet) and offers tundra landscapes, snowfields, and alpine lakes. Combined with the drive through Lamar Valley and over Dunraven Pass, you can create a full-day scenic loop. Stop frequently for wildlife - bison jams are common and you'll likely see bears, pronghorn, and raptors. Budget 6-8 hours for the complete northern loop with stops.
June Events & Festivals
Spring Bear Activity Peak
Not a formal event, but June represents peak bear viewing as grizzlies and black bears emerge from dens and forage intensively after winter dormancy. Sows with cubs are visible in meadows digging for roots and grazing on new grass. This natural phenomenon draws wildlife photographers and enthusiasts to Hayden and Lamar valleys. Rangers often set up spotting scopes at roadside pullouts when bears are visible. Maintain 91m (100 yards) distance minimum and never approach - rangers will cite you.
Yellowstone National Park Establishment Week
The park celebrates its 1872 establishment (March 1st, but commemorative programs run through summer) with special ranger programs, historical talks, and junior ranger activities. In June, you'll find expanded interpretive programs at Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Canyon Village. These free programs run 30-60 minutes and provide context most visitors miss. Check visitor center schedules - programs typically run 2-3 times daily.