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What to Bring
Changeable is the buzzword for weather in Yellowstone County. One minute you could be walking down a trail in the bright sunshine, have a storm come over the mountains and be caught in a storm the next. But, don't get nervous and stay indoors, just be prepared!
General
Packing a number of layers that you can add and remove as the weather changes is the best way to ensure you'll be comfortable. A windproof, waterproof layer, especially for longish hikes, is always recommended. Except for the hottest days, a layer of fleece or a sweater and long underwear is a welcome bonus if temperatures should begin to drop unexpectedly.
A dry shirt or layer of polypropylene can be handy if you work up a sweat and run into a headwind. A hat with a brim and sunglasses are a must for avoiding sunburn and the glare of the sun. (The radiant strength of sunlight is greater at higher elevations than at sea level.)
A good pair of waterproof, broken-in boots can be the difference between happy feet ready to go on all day and feet lumpy with blisters. Summer days are usually warm and sunny, so don't forget the shorts too.
In the Winter
The same approach to dressing applies in the winter, only more so. More and thicker layers of fleece, wool, or capilene underneath that critical wind and waterproof layer will help you ignore the frigid temperatures and have fun. If you're going to be perspiring, avoid cotton because it has very poor insulating abilities when moist.
Carry this stuff around like the locals do using a day pack. It's a great place for the extra clothing, snacks, water, sunscreen, cameras, binoculars and everything else you might need for enjoying the great outdoors comfortably and safely.
When to Come
When to come is a question best answered by asking yourself what you like to do. Winter and summer are the two opposite poles of life in West Yellowstone.
Winter
In winter, Yellowstone has a magic all its own. Snow-covered landscapes, frosty trees and steamy geysers create a wondrous landscape. Yellowstone’s geyser-fed rivers remain unfrozen, creating a natural winter refuge for thousands of waterfowl, including majestic trumpeter swans. Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers explore the millions of acres of public lands, while nearby downhill ski resorts give visitors a variety of thrills and challenges.
Annual snow accumulations in Yellowstone can range as high as 400 inches at 10,000 feet to over 200 inches on the valley floor. These are just a few of the reasons why people from all over the world seek out Yellowstone Country for wintertime recreation.
Spring
Spring is snow-melt season. Temperatures and weather conditions waver between warm and summery to cool and wintry. Until mid-May, when the highway into Yellowstone opens back up, this is a quiet time of the year. Rivers begin to fill with snow runoff from the higher peaks (great for whitewater enthusiasts). In the valley, wildflowers begin to dot the landscape. Trout are hungry, flowers poke through the snow, birds return from winter habitats. By Memorial Day, temperatures have usually improved and winter is but a distant memory.
Summer
Summer is the time of the year when people in Yellowstone Country spend even more time out of doors than usual. Rivers run full and fast, then later slow and clear. Trails into the mountains open. Lake temperatures rise to a level where the brave can swim or waterski. The length of the day expands to help us all fit in more hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, climbing, fishing, golfing, or whatever summertime pursuit we prefer. The weather usually settles into a delightful pattern of dry, mild days and evenings just cool enough for a pleasant nights sleep.
Fall
To escape the hubbub, autumn in Yellowstone is the right time to visit. Hunting season attracts sportsmen of a different sort on the periphery of the park. And locals, who have been working double shifts all summer long, now have time to unwind and chat. Increasingly, though, fall has become a time of increasing visitation as many people become aware of the consistent and agreeable weather (usually) found during September and much of October. The end of October brings the season to an end when Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park close to automobile traffic and the valley gradually slips away to winter as the snow level descends to the valley floor.
Dress Code
The rule of thumb is wear what's comfortable. Yellowstone is mostly informal, although you might want to wear a collared shirt at some of the fancier dining rooms in the park.
Child Care
If you need a break from the demands of parenthood, try Little Geysers Child Care Center at 406-646-7011 or call the chamber of commerce at 1-406-646-7701.
Health & Safety
At 6 to 10,000 feet above sea level the air in Yellowstone Country can be thin and dry. The reduced amount of oxygen at these elevations can affect preexisting medical conditions, especially respiratory problems. Symptoms like headaches, increased pulse, shortness of breath, higher blood pressure, nose bleeds, insomnia, loss of appetite, fatigue and even some swelling of the feet and ankles are occasionally experienced. Seek medical assistance if symptoms like these persist or become severe.
Most people, though, adapt quickly. Lowlanders should take time to get acclimated. Instead of rushing up into the mountains for an ambitious hike on day one, relax and let the body adjust.
Drink more water than you think you need. Dehydration is commonplace here because the relative humidity is much lower in the mountains than it is at sea level. Once you feel thirsty, it's too late; you're already dehydrated.
For people heading into the mountains, especially those who plan to sleep above 8,000 feet, mountain sickness can be an issue. Symptoms are the same as those listed above. They generally disappear within 48 hours with sufficient fluid intake and rest. If symptoms worsen, it is important to descend to a lower elevation immediately, because it is possible - albeit unusual at this relatively low altitude - that one is experiencing the onset of High Altitude Cerebral Edema, an acute, life-threatening syndrome that has taken the lives of many high altitude climbers in the Himalayas.
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