Visiting Yellowstone in June

There are many things to consider when visiting Yellowstone in June. All roads are open and most services are available.

Use this Yellowstone National Park travel guide to help you plan your June vacation: things to see, do and photograph as well as what to pack, where to stay and services available.

visiting Yellowstone in June

By mid-June, all Yellowstone roads, services, and lodges will be open. Be sure to check in advance to know what’s available for the timeframe you’ll visit the park.

Use our Yellowstone National Park packing list to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in June! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!

Yellowstone packing list Optin box
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Visiting Yellowstone National Park in June

June is one of the best times to visit Yellowstone National Park because all park roads are open and most of the services and campgrounds will be open by the end of the month.

Always check the Yellowstone operating hours and seasons for the most updated information.

There are ten Yellowstone Visitor Centers and information stations throughout the park. Talk with a ranger, learn about the park through exhibits and interpretive offerings, or get oriented to the things you can do at the park.

Visitation numbers in June are moderate to high so be prepared for crowds during the day. We always recommend entering the park early in the morning, or even later in the afternoon.

Yellowstone Weather in June

The Yellowstone National Park weather in June can still be unpredictable, and it might even snow! Stay informed on the Yellowstone road closure status and check current park conditions when a storm rolls through.

The average temperatures in June at Yellowstone are highs near 70 and lows near 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

It doesn’t hurt to pack winter gloves, hat, coat and fleece jacket and wear layers since the mornings and evenings are still cold!

How Long Should I Plan My Yellowstone Vacation?

In order to really soak in Yellowstone, you will want to be there for more than 2 days, especially in the summertime. 

We suggest when vacationing during the summer months at Yellowstone that you plan to go for at least 4-5 days. This way you are not rushed and you can be a little more patient with the crowds of people knowing you have time to see everything. 

Not only that, but 4-5 days gives you time to relax, fish, hike, and really experience Yellowstone for everything it has to offer!

Here’s our favorite Yellowstone 4 day itinerary!

Things to Do at Yellowstone in June

By mid-June everything should be open, but it’s always good to check in advance the regions of the park that are open for the dates you’ll visit in June.

Our number one Yellowstone vacation tip to avoid the congestion is to enter the park early and head to the popular sites ahead of the crowds.

Be prepared for slow cars and bison or bear jams. Pack your patience and enjoy the scenery!

Here’s a list of things to do at Yellowstone National Park when you visit in June!

Yellowstone scenic drive

Yellowstone Scenic Drives in June

Yellowstone covers over 2 million acres of land! It’s divided into 2 main sections and 9 areas. You’ll find two scenic drive loops within the park, as well as other stunning Yellowstone scenic drives outside the park!

Yellowstone National Park Southern Loop Scenic Drive:

There are three entrances to access the southern loop of Yellowstone: West (West Yellowstone), South (Grand Teton), and East (Cody).

There are seven areas in the southern loop of Yellowstone:

  • Madison
  • Old Faithful
  • Lake
  • West Thumb Geyser Basin
  • Grant Village
  • Canyon
  • Norris

Yellowstone National Park Northern Loop Scenic Drive:

There are two entrances with direct access to the north loop of Yellowstone: North (Gardiner) and Northeast (Cooke City).

There are four areas in the northern loop of Yellowstone:

  • Mammoth
  • Tower-Roosevelt
  • Canyon
  • Norris

There are so many points of interest to see along these drives! We HIGHLY recommend downloading the GuideAlong Yellowstone Audio Tour App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location in the park!

view from Mt. Washburn at Yellowstone

June Hiking at Yellowstone

The Yellowstone hiking trails in June might be wet and muddy. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when hiking at Yellowstone:

  • Check with the rangers at the Visitor Center to get current trail conditions.
  • Tell someone your hiking destination, route, and estimated time of return.
  • What to Bring on a Day Hike: at a minimum, carry water, a raincoat or poncho, a warm hat, an insulating (non cotton) layer of clothing, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a first aid kit.
  • Carry bear spray!!
  • Stay on trails: taking shortcuts causes trail erosion and is dangerous. In hydrothermal areas, stepping on thin crust may plunge you into boiling water.

You’ll find a variety of Yellowstone National Park easy summer hikes. Here’s a list of hikes in Yellowstone by region:

Waterfalls in June at Yellowstone

The Yellowstone waterfalls in June are full and raging from the snow runoff. You can see, hear and feel the power of the water as it rushes by.

Most of the waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park don’t require hiking to see them. Here’s a list of the main waterfall attractions:

  • Canyon: Lower and Upper Falls, Brink of Upper Falls
  • Firehole Falls
  • Gibbon Falls
  • Kepler Cascades
  • Lewis Falls
  • Moose Falls
  • Tower Fall
  • Undine Falls
hot-pool-at-yellowstone
Yellowstone Hot Pool

Yellowstone Geysers and Hot Springs in June

There are five types of hydrothermal features you’ll see in Yellowstone: geysers, hot springs, mudpots, travertine terraces and fumaroles. Check out the NPS website for the latest geyser eruption predictions!

Here’s a list of the best places to see these wonders:

elk and fawn at Yellowstone in the spring
Elk with two babies at Yellowstone

Yellowstone Wildlife in June

June is one of the best time to visit yellowstone for wildlife! You may see black bear and grizzly bear cubs, bison calves (known as red dogs due to their reddish-brown color), and elk calves.

Mothers will be VERY PROTECTIVE of their young so give them all space. As you drive through the park, remember the parameters to keep you and the animals safe!

  • Never approach animals. The animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be.
  • The safest (and often best) view of wildlife is from inside a car. Always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk.
  • Never feed wildlife. Animals that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and have to be killed. Keep all food, garbage, or other smelly items packed away when not in use.
  • Never park in the road or block traffic. Use pullouts to watch wildlife and let other cars pass. Stay with your vehicle if you encounter a wildlife jam.

Yellowstone Photography in June

When it comes to photography, be prepared for anything! That way you are ready to capture the moment when it happens. We always have our camera ready to go because the wildlife you may see won’t wait for you to find the camera in your car.

In June you’ll want to photograph the geysers, hot pools, waterfalls and rivers. Here are some tips for taking pictures at Yellowstone.

Yellowstone River Rafting in June

If you’re looking for a fun adventure, try river rafting in Yellowstone! Families love exploring Yellowstone this way as they see incredible views, wildlife, and more while going down the river. 

You will experience varying sizes of rapids dependent on the water levels so take that into account when deciding who is going to go white water rafting in the family.

Yellowstone Tours in June

Taking a tour helps you see many parts of Yellowstone that you might not see on your own. Here’s a list of Yellowstone Summer Tours you can book in June:

Yellowstone Camping in June

With its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife, a favorite way to enjoy the park is by camping at Yellowstone National Park. With numerous campground options, you’ll find a variety of Yellowstone campsites ranging from full-service to primitive.

All campsites at Yellowstone’s 12 campgrounds require advanced reservations in June. It’s recommended you make your reservations far in advance due the demand for camping at Yellowstone.

If you can’t find a spot in the park, check out the RV parks near Yellowstone National Park!

Yellowstone maps and guides

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