Celebrate Spring Like a Local at this National Park in Montana

I am blessed to live right outside of Yellowstone National Park. I can visit this incredible destination countless times throughout the year, and I do. However, spring is easily my favorite time of the year to explore this park, and one of my favorite ways to celebrate this season. Here are five reasons Yellowstone National Park is the best place to experience a spring day in Montana.

1. The crowds are small

Yellowstone National Park certainly draws in a crowd. In fact, in 2024, more than 4.7 million people visited this popular destination. If you compare the number of visitors by month, there is quite a difference between the spring and summer months. For example, in April 2024, there were 71,784 visitors. In August 2024, the park saw 868,259 visitors. That is a difference of more than 796,000 people.

2. You'll likely see baby animals

I love visiting this Montana national park to look for baby animals. There is something special about watching the calves roam in bison or elk herds. Spring is also when I’ve seen the most bears throughout the park — it's quite a remarkable sight. However, this time of year is also when I’ve been the most cautious of wildlife. Mamas and cubs need a lot of distance.

3. The waterfalls are powerful

Yellowstone National Park’s waterfalls are truly magnificent all year long, but during the spring, they truly roar. The melting snow makes the waterfalls throughout the park powerful and even deafening in some areas.

4. Lodging is more affordable and easier to find

The hotels throughout Yellowstone National Park typically open during the spring months. There are hotels and lodging options scattered all around the park, including Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Canyon Lodge and Cabins, Grant Village Lodge, Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins, and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins, which is my favorite place to stay in Yellowstone.

If you prefer, consider booking a vacation rental in a nearby town like West Yellowstone, Montana, or Island Park, Idaho. During the spring months, it is much easier to place reservations, especially over the weekends. Plus, you’ll find much more affordable rates as vacation rentals near Yellowstone can become quite expensive during the summer.

If you’d like to camp, only a few campgrounds open in the spring, like Madison Campground and Bridge Bay Campground. Several campgrounds do not open until June, and Mammoth Campground is the only year-round campground in Yellowstone National Park.

5. There are a variety of activities

Yes, the weather may be unpredictable during the spring months, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t get out and explore. Several hiking trails at the lower elevations are open during the spring; however, they may be muddy in some areas. If you desire, you can even hike in the morning and head to higher elevations in the afternoon for a snowshoeing adventure. Just make sure you are prepared with the proper clothing and supplies, no matter what activity you desire.

Springtime is also when roads are closed to over-snow vehicles (snowmobiles and snow coaches) and are cleared for vehicle traffic. Before you visit this park, you will want to visit the National Park Service website for road opening dates throughout the park. The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, to Cooke City, Montana, is typically open to vehicles all year long.

I love visiting Yellowstone National Park throughout the year, but the spring is truly wonderful. There’s nothing quite like it. For more information about visiting this national park, visit the National Park Service website. And if you're looking for more things to do (or eat!) nearby, check out our itinerary planner to plan your getaway.