Yellowstone in July: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 65/100 · #5 of 12 months

July is peak season — expect the year's biggest crowds at Yellowstone National Park: crowds run 100% of the July peak (922,896 average visits). Weather: highs average 72°F and lows 39°F, with 1.5″ of precipitation and 15.2 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Yellowstone in July

Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 39°F.
Bear spraySee it on AmazonWhy: recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry).
Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.

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Yellowstone in July: what the park service says

In July every Yellowstone road on the park service's schedule is open to cars, including Dunraven Pass between Canyon Village and Tower Fall. That high pass, and the Beartooth Highway outside the Northeast Entrance, have the shortest season (May 28 to October 11 on the projected 2027 dates), because the park says Dunraven generally gets more winter weather. The North to Northeast Entrance road is the only one open year-round.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

The sun sets behind the sharp point of a snow-covered mountain; pink clouds are reflected in a pond — Yellowstone National Park — photo: NPS / Jacob W. Frank (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in July

July is Yellowstone's busiest month — an average of 922,896 recreation visits (2021–2025), the park's crowd peak. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging — book early and start days at dawn.

Average visits (July)

922,896 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

20.8% of annual visitation

vs. peak (July)

100%

Weather & daylight

Days are pleasant (highs average 72°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 39°F). It is typically dry (1.5″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 15.2 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 July.

What to pack for Yellowstone in July

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 39°F
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.

Common questions

Is Yellowstone crowded in July?

Yes — July runs 100% of Yellowstone's peak, averaging 922,896 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Yellowstone.

What is the weather like in Yellowstone in July?

Average highs of 72°F, lows of 39°F, 1.5″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US station). Compare it with other national parks in July.

What should I pack for Yellowstone in July?

Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit; Bear spray — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in August instead? Yellowstone in August has its own list.