Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
November Weather in Yellowstone National Park
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
32°F (0°C)
High Temp
14°F (-9°C)
Low Temp
1.8 inches (46 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Whiteouts explode on the lone open road. Pack sleeping bags. Stash extra food. You could spend the night between Mammoth and Cooke City. Be ready.
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + You'll have the park almost to yourself. Wildlife sightings feel like private viewings. Wolves and bison around Lamar Valley at dawn. Snow muffles every footstep.
- + Roads that are jammed in summer are empty. The Grand Loop between Canyon and Fishing Bridge. Pull over for that perfect shot. Frozen Yellowstone River. No traffic jam.
- + Most lodging inside the park drops to shoulder-season rates. Last-minute cabins at Old Faithful Snow Lodge or Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Often open up a week out. Not six months.
- + Steaming geothermal features against fresh snow. Most dramatic contrast. Nothing prepares you. A bison emerges ghost-like from the mist. 74 °C (165 °F) runoff stream near Norris.
- + Park rangers run free indoor programs on winter ecology. Warm up with hot chocolate. Albright Visitor Center. Learn how elk conserve energy at -12 °C (10 °F).
Considerations
- − Only one plowed road stays open. Northern entrance-Mammoth-Northeast exit. Every other well-known drive is closed. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Hayden Valley. Beartooth. Snowcoach or skis needed.
- − Daylight shrinks to 9.5 hours. Miss the 7:45 AM sunrise wildlife window. You're racing darkness by 4 PM. Sightseeing feels compressed.
- − Temperature swings are brutal. -1 °C (30 °F) in sunny parking lot. -18 °C (0 °F) with wind on exposed ridge. Within minutes. Layer failure equals trip failure.
Year-Round Climate
How November compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -4°C | -15°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Feb | -2°C | -15°C | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Mar | 1°C | -11°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Apr | 5°C | -7°C | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| May | 10°C | -1°C | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Jun | 16°C | 2°C | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Jul | 21°C | 5°C | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Aug | 21°C | 5°C | 1.5 inches (38 mm) |
| Sep | 16°C | 1°C | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Oct | 7°C | -3°C | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Nov | 0°C | -9°C | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Dec | -4°C | -13°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
November in Yellowstone National Park is raw and quiet. The cold is sharp. Daytime temperatures often hover just above freezing, then plunge into the teens after dark. You will hear frozen ground crunch underfoot. Vast meadows are dusted with early snow, while steam from the hot springs and geysers billows thick against a stark gray sky. The park's rhythm slows. Many lodges and campgrounds close for the season, and the summer crowds are gone. A profound quiet remains, broken only by a distant elk's bugle or a geyser's sudden roar. Locals in gateway towns like West Yellowstone prepare for Thanksgiving weekend. That is when the Yellowstone Ski Festival brings Nordic skiers to the streets for clinics and a torchlight parade. The scent of woodsmoke and sound of folk music spill from local bars. This month is for those who seek the park's elemental power without distraction. The cold air makes the thermal features seem more alive. Planning where to stay requires attention. Most in-park accommodations are closed. Visitors typically base themselves in the gateway communities of West Yellowstone or Gardiner, Montana, where a handful of hotels remain open. The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park hinges on your tolerance for cold and desire for solitude. November delivers both. Roads start closing for winter, so checking the latest access conditions is essential. Travel becomes limited to the park's northern range or guided snowcoach and ski routes later in the month. Dining options within the park are extremely limited. You will find most meals in the towns outside the gates.
Private Yellowstone Tour: ICONIC Sites, Wildlife, Family Friendly Hikes + lunch
adventureA private vehicle winds through the silent, frost-rimed forests of Yellowstone National Park. It stops for a family to watch a bison herd's breath cloud the cold air. Your guide points out the brilliant, mineral-stained runoff channels of a thermal basin. Their colors are vivid against the white ground. The guide leads a short hike to a viewpoint where you can feel the earth's warmth through your boots. A packed lunch is enjoyed in the shelter of a picnic area. The taste of hot soup is a welcome contrast to the crisp day.
This tour offers flexibility to linger at wildlife sightings and geothermal wonders. It is tailored to your group's pace and interests, with the comfort of a heated vehicle and an expert's narrative.
Insider tip: Ask your guide to include a stop at the Lamar Valley at dawn or dusk. The low November light casts long shadows and your chances of seeing wolves are highest then.
This month: Road closures can alter routing. A private tour is best positioned to adapt and focus on the accessible northern range and Mammoth Hot Springs area.
Full-Day Guided Yellowstone Day Tour
day_tripYou will spend a full day traversing the accessible roads of Yellowstone National Park in a small group. Hear the hiss and pop of mud pots in the cold air. See the grand scale of the Yellowstone Caldera from an overlook. The guide's stories of the park's geology and ecology provide context. Stark, impressive landscapes roll past the window, from frozen ribbons of waterfalls to the sapphire pools of hot springs.
It provides a complete, narrated overview of the park's major sights. Transportation and logistics are handled, which is good for a first-time visitor navigating limited seasonal access.
Insider tip: Dress in adjustable layers. You will move frequently from the warm van into biting windswept viewpoints.
This month: The tour route depends on which park roads remain open to regular vehicles. It typically focuses on the northern loop.
Lower Loop Van Tour from West Yellowstone: Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful
guided_experienceThis van tour from West Yellowstone journeys to the park's well-known lower loop. You will see the Old Faithful geyser erupt into a clear, cold sky. Its plume of steam towers before dissolving into the wind. At the Grand Prismatic Spring, you will smell the faint, sharp tang of sulphur. Observe the microbial mats that create its famous rainbow hues, now edged with frost.
It efficiently connects two of the most famous geothermal sites in Yellowstone National Park. Departure from a major gateway town makes it easy.
Insider tip: The boardwalks around the thermal features can be icy. Wear traction devices over your boots for secure footing.
This month: Access to the full lower loop is not guaranteed in November. It depends on the timing of seasonal road closures. Confirm the exact route with the operator.
Half Day Yellowstone "Hot Spots" Deals From West Yellowstone
otherThis shorter excursion from West Yellowstone focuses on the dense collection of thermal wonders near the park's west entrance. You will hear the violent bubbling of a paint pot. See the delicate, sinter-terraced formations of a hot spring. Feel the surprise of warm mist on your face in the frigid air.
It delivers a concentrated dose of Yellowstone National Park's geothermal activity. This is for those with limited time or who prefer a half-day commitment in the cold.
Insider tip: This tour often visits the less-crowded Fountain Paint Pot area. The contrast between the boiling mud and the cold surroundings is dramatic there.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch
adventureThe hike begins at the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You will see the thunderous Lower Falls plunge into a gorge of yellow and pink rock. The roar echoes off the canyon walls. You will feel the spray from the waterfall freeze on the guardrails. Taste the clean, cold air as you walk along the edge. A guide explains the forces that carved this landmark.
It combines a guided, interpretive hike along one of the park's most dramatic non-thermal features with a packed lunch in a spectacular setting.
Insider tip: The Uncle Tom's Trail area involves steep stairs that can become treacherous with ice. This hike likely uses the more stable Rim Trail sections.
This month: Trail conditions are highly variable. They may include snowpack and ice. Microspikes or hiking poles are recommended.
Kayak Day Paddle on Yellowstone Lake
adventurePaddling a kayak on Yellowstone Lake in November is an exercise in profound stillness. You will see the Absaroka Mountains reflected well in the glassy, cold water. Hear only the dip of your paddle. The air feels biting. You are surrounded by a landscape of snow-dusted shorelines and steaming thermal vents that empty into the lake's edge.
It has a uniquely serene and active perspective on the world's largest high-elevation lake. The summer boat traffic is gone and the water is often like a mirror.
Insider tip: Operators provide dry suits. Wearing a warm, moisture-wicking base layer beneath is important for comfort in the freezing temperatures.
This month: This activity is highly weather-dependent. It may be cancelled due to high winds, freezing precipitation, or unsafe lake conditions.
Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
★★★★
Mid-Range
Gesang International Hotel (Wuwei Tianzhu Railway Station)
From $48 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
November Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Late November (Thanksgiving weekend)
Yellowstone Ski Festival (West Yellowstone)
Nordic clinics, gear demos, torchlight parade down Yellowstone Ave. Don't ski? Town bars fill with wax-tech chatter. Live Montana folk bands.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Yellowstone National Park Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Stop at small pullout 1.6 km (1 mile) east of Blacktail Plateau turnout at dawn. Locals call it 'Coyote Alley'. Lone hunter silhouetted against steam. Distant thermal feature.
Storm rolls in? Duck into historic Chico Hot Springs. 48 km (30 miles) north of Gardiner. Day-use soaks allowed. Cost of a drink at bar. 37 °C (99 °F) pool. Snow piles outside.
Gas up in Cooke City before northeast gate. Mammoth station closes early in November for refurb. Running fumes at 1,900 m (6,200 ft) is expensive. And cold.
Bring collapsible cooler bag. Buy bison chili from Mammoth General Store. Thick enough to stay warm two hours. In backpack while you photograph elk on parade ground.
Avoid These Mistakes
Old Faithful erupts every 90 minutes in winter? Cold water slows interval to roughly 105 minutes. Standing outside Snow Lodge for an hour in -10 °C (14 °F) without checking predicted time. Avoidable misery.
Book your flight out of Jackson for the same evening you leave the park. Teton Pass can slam shut with the first October snow. That forces a 480 km (300-mile) haul through Idaho Falls. Plan for it.
Do not attempt the 0.5 km (0.5-mile) Midway Geyser boardwalk without microspikes. November ice is slicked daily by steam. People slide into 70 °C (160 °F) runoff every year. Bring traction.
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