Yellowstone in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 32/100 · #9 of 12 months

November is a quiet month with trade-offs at Yellowstone National Park: crowds run 3% of the July peak (23,807 average visits). Weather: highs average 32°F and lows 11°F, with 2.1″ of precipitation and 9.6 hours of daylight. Headline access is typically closed this month — see the access warning below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Yellowstone in November

Insulated parka + thermal base layersSee it on AmazonWhy: average lows of 11°F.
Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 2.1″ of precipitation is normal this month.
HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 9.6 hours of daylight in mid-November.

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Access warning: 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. That typically affects November — verify before planning. Current NPS conditions →

Yellowstone in November: what the park service says

November in Yellowstone falls between seasons: on the 2027 schedule most park roads are open to regular vehicles only until October 31, and the park service says most roads stay closed to them from early November to late April, and the oversnow season, on the projected schedule from December 15 on the Mammoth to Norris road, has not started. The only road open to regular vehicles is the one from the North Entrance at Gardiner to the Northeast Entrance.

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 November

Yellowstone averages 23,807 recreation visits in November — 3% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Average visits (November)

23,807 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

under 1% of annual visitation

vs. peak (July)

Weather & daylight

Days are cold (highs average 32°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 11°F). Average precipitation is 2.1″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 9.6 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 November.

What to pack for Yellowstone in November

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

Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 11°F
Packable rain jacket — 2.1″ of precipitation is normal this month
Headlamp — only 9.6 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
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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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Yellowstone are May and June.

Also at their best in November

Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100

Common questions

Is Yellowstone crowded in November?

No — November is one of the quieter months: 3% of the July peak, averaging 23,807 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Yellowstone.

What is the weather like in Yellowstone in November?

Average highs of 32°F, lows of 11°F, 2.1″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US station). Compare it with other national parks in November.

What should I pack for Yellowstone in November?

Insulated parka + thermal base layers; Packable rain jacket; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in December instead? Yellowstone in December has its own list.

Is everything open at Yellowstone in November?

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 November · Last verified 2026-09-24