Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Yellowstone National Park
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Thermal features are absolutely spectacular in the cold - when air temperatures drop below -10°C (14°F), the geysers and hot springs create massive steam clouds that photograph like nowhere else on earth. Old Faithful becomes this otherworldly scene you just don't get in summer.
- Wildlife viewing is surprisingly excellent, particularly for wolves and bison. Animals congregate around the thermally heated areas, and tracking is easier in fresh snow. The Lamar Valley typically offers some of the year's best wolf-watching opportunities as packs are more visible against snow.
- You'll have the park largely to yourself - most roads close after the first major snowfall (usually early November), meaning only the North Entrance through Gardiner to Cooke City remains accessible by car. Visitor numbers drop by roughly 90% compared to summer, so you're experiencing a version of Yellowstone that most people never see.
- Accommodation prices in gateway towns drop significantly - expect to pay 40-60% less than peak summer rates in Gardiner, with even better deals in West Yellowstone once the main park road closes. Book 3-4 weeks ahead for best selection, though last-minute deals are actually possible in November unlike summer months.
Considerations
- Most of the park becomes inaccessible by regular vehicle - typically by mid-November, only the road from the North Entrance at Gardiner through Mammoth Hot Springs to the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City remains plowed. The rest requires snowcoach or snowmobile access, which doesn't usually begin until mid-December. You're looking at seeing maybe 15% of the park unless you're prepared for serious backcountry skiing.
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable and can be dangerous - temperatures can swing 20°C (36°F) in a single day, and whiteout conditions develop quickly. I've seen it go from clear skies to zero visibility in under 30 minutes. If you're not experienced with winter mountain conditions, this isn't the month to learn. Frostbite risk is real when wind chills drop to -25°C (-13°F) or lower.
- Limited services and facilities - most visitor centers close or operate on reduced schedules, many restaurants in gateway towns shut down for the season, and gas stations become sparse. The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is typically your only in-park lodging option, and even that sometimes closes early depending on the year. You need to be more self-sufficient than in summer months.
Best Activities in November
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces Winter Photography
The travertine terraces at Mammoth are accessible year-round via the North Entrance road and are genuinely stunning in November when steam rises dramatically in the cold air. Early morning (around 7-8am) offers the best light and most intense steam effects when temperatures are coldest. The boardwalks stay open and are usually clear of ice, though bring traction devices just in case. This is actually one of the few thermal areas you can reliably access in November without specialized transport.
Lamar Valley Wildlife Watching Tours
November is actually prime time for wolf watching in the Lamar Valley, accessible via the Northeast Entrance road that stays open. Wolves are more visible against snow, and packs are often active during daylight hours. Bison herds congregate in the valley, and you'll often spot elk, bighorn sheep, and occasionally grizzlies that haven't denned yet. The road is plowed but can be icy - many visitors prefer guided tours with experienced drivers who know where animals are likely to be. Dawn and dusk are most productive, meaning you're looking at 6:30am-9am or 3:30pm-5pm outings.
Cross-Country Skiing Near Mammoth
Once snow accumulates (usually by mid-November), the Upper Terraces Drive at Mammoth becomes an excellent beginner-friendly ski route - it's a 2.4 km (1.5 mile) loop with gentle grades and spectacular thermal features. More experienced skiers can tackle trails around Tower Fall or toward Blacktail Plateau, though these require navigation skills and avalanche awareness. Snow conditions in November can be variable - some years have 30 cm (12 inches) by early month, other years barely enough coverage until Thanksgiving. The advantage over December is fewer people and often better snow quality before it gets tracked out.
Boiling River Hot Springs Soak
This is one of Yellowstone's few legal soaking spots where a hot spring mixes with the cold Gardner River, creating natural pools you can actually sit in. It's about a 0.8 km (0.5 mile) walk from the parking area north of Mammoth, and it stays open through November (closes in spring for nesting birds). The contrast of soaking in 40°C (104°F) water while snow falls around you is genuinely memorable. That said, it can get crowded on weekends even in November - weekday mornings or late afternoons are your best bet for a more solitary experience.
Historic Fort Yellowstone Walking Tour at Mammoth
When weather turns nasty (which happens frequently in November), the historic cavalry buildings at Mammoth Hot Springs provide an interesting indoor-outdoor option. The fort was the park's headquarters from 1886-1918, and several buildings are open for self-guided touring. The Albright Visitor Center has excellent exhibits on park history and wildlife, and it's one of the few facilities reliably open in November with actual restrooms and warmth. Not thrilling, but genuinely interesting if you care about how the park came to be, and it's a practical backup when visibility drops to nothing.
Roosevelt Arch and Gardiner Town Exploration
The North Entrance town of Gardiner is actually worth a few hours, particularly when park access is limited. The Roosevelt Arch (built 1903) marks the original park entrance and photographs beautifully with snow on the surrounding peaks. The town itself has several good restaurants and bars frequented by locals and park employees - you'll get honest information about current conditions and what's actually worth doing. The Yellowstone River runs through town and sometimes has eagles fishing in November. It's not a destination activity, but it's a useful way to spend an afternoon when weather limits park access.
November Events & Festivals
Transition to Winter Operations
This isn't an event exactly, but it's worth understanding that November is when the park shifts from car-accessible to winter-only access. Most years, the interior roads close permanently for the season sometime between November 1-15 depending on snowfall. If you're visiting early November, you might catch a few days when roads to Canyon or Norris are still open, but don't count on it. The park doesn't announce closure dates far in advance - they depend entirely on weather conditions and first significant snowfall.
Elk Rut Tail End
While peak elk rutting happens in September and October, you'll sometimes catch the tail end in early November, particularly around Mammoth where the resident herd stays year-round. Bulls are still occasionally bugling and displaying, though the intensity has dropped considerably. It's less dramatic than peak season but also means fewer photographers and wildlife watchers crowding the animals. By mid-November, the rut is essentially finished and elk behavior returns to normal winter patterns.