Yellowstone in April: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
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April is a quiet month with trade-offs at Yellowstone National Park: crowds run 8% of the July peak (73,470 average visits). Weather: highs average 41°F and lows 17°F, with 2.3″ of precipitation and 13.4 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Yellowstone in April
- Insulated parka + thermal base layersSee it on AmazonWhy: average lows of 17°F.
- Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 2.3″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- Bear spraySee it on AmazonWhy: recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry).
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Yellowstone in April: what the park service says
April is when Yellowstone's roads start reopening to cars. The park service projects the western loop (West Entrance to Madison, Madison to Old Faithful and Norris, Mammoth to Norris, Norris to Canyon Village) to open on April 16 in 2027, while the East, South and Dunraven Pass roads stay closed into May. The road from the North Entrance to the Northeast Entrance is open to cars all year. The park says every date can shift with the weather.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in April
Yellowstone averages 73,470 recreation visits in April — 8% of what July, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging — crowds are thin by this park's standards.
Weather & daylight
It is properly cold (highs average 41°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 17°F). Average precipitation is 2.3″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 13.4 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US (6 mi from park coordinates, 7,835 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of April.
What to pack for Yellowstone in April
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 17°F
- Packable rain jacket — 2.3″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
- Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)
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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Yellowstone are May and June.
Also at their best in April
Other parks whose computed April verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Theodore Roosevelt in April — 7% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 92/100
- Badlands in April — 16% of peak crowds, highs 60°F, score 90/100
- Lake Clark in April — under 1% of peak crowds, highs 46°F, score 89/100
- Voyageurs in April — under 1% of peak crowds, highs 49°F, score 88/100
Common questions
Is Yellowstone crowded in April?
No — April is one of the quieter months: 8% of the July peak, averaging 73,470 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Yellowstone.
What is the weather like in Yellowstone in April?
Average highs of 41°F, lows of 17°F, 2.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US station). Compare it with other national parks in April.
What should I pack for Yellowstone in April?
Insulated parka + thermal base layers; Packable rain jacket; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in May instead? Yellowstone in May has its own list.
Is everything open at Yellowstone in April?
Most park roads close to regular vehicles at the start of November and reopen in stages: the West Entrance–Madison–Old Faithful–Norris–Canyon roads in mid-April (April 17 in 2026), the East and South entrances in early May, and Dunraven Pass in late May. The North Entrance–Northeast Entrance road is open all year; elsewhere winter access is by guided oversnow travel. Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.
See also: the best national parks to visit in April · Last verified 2026-09-24