Outdoor Activities at Yellowstone National Park in July
Here’s a list of all the fun outdoor activities at Yellowstone National Park in July.
This Yellowstone National Park travel guide will help you plan your July vacation: things to see, do and photograph as well as what to pack, where to stay and services available.
Keep reading for all the information you need about visiting Yellowstone in July, and the fun outdoor activities you can do!
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Visiting Yellowstone National Park in July
July is one of the best times to visit Yellowstone National Park because all park roads, services, and campgrounds are open.
The Yellowstone waterfalls are flowing at full volume and the landscape is beautiful with vibrant color.
Visitation numbers in July are 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 July
The average temperatures in July at Yellowstone are highs near 80 and lows in the high 40s degrees Fahrenheit.
Be prepared for rain at any time. It doesn’t hurt to pack winter gloves, hat, coat and fleece jacket and wear layers since the mornings and evenings are still cool.
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 July
Here’s a list of things to do at Yellowstone National Park when you visit in the month of July.
Hiking in July at Yellowstone
Some Yellowstone hiking trails might still be wet and muddy in early July. 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.
- Stay on trails: taking shortcuts causes trail erosion and is dangerous. In hydrothermal areas, stepping on thin crust may plunge you into boiling water.
Here’s a list of hikes in Yellowstone by region:
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- Old Faithful
- Canyon
- Madison
- Lake and Fishing Bridge
- Tower and Northeast
- West Thumb and Grant
Yellowstone Waterfalls in July
Most of the Yellowstone waterfalls don’t require hiking to see them. In July the water is still running high so it’s a good time to photograph waterfalls.
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
Yellowstone Geysers and Hot Springs in July
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:
- Old Faithful, Upper and Lower Geyser Basin
- Grand Prismatic (Midway Geyser Basin)
- Norris Geyser Basin
- West Thumb Geyser Basin
- Mud Volcano
- Fountain Paint Pot
- Mammoth Hot Springs
Wildlife at Yellowstone in July
In July the black bears and grizzly bears usually head to the higher elevations. You’ll still see bison calves known as red dogs due to their reddish-brown color. Due to the crowds in the park July really isn’t the best time to visit yellowstone for wildlife.
We like to drive past Lamar Valley to Cooke City and on along Beartooth Highway to look for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats!
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 July
We recommend you have your camera ready to go because the wildlife you may see as you drive through the park won’t wait for you to find the camera in your car.
In July you’ll want to photograph the geysers, hot pools, waterfalls and rivers. Here are some tips for taking pictures at Yellowstone.
More Yellowstone Activities
Places to Visit at Yellowstone in July
Yellowstone covers over 2 million acres of land! It’s divided into 2 main loops and 9 areas. Here’s a list of places to visit in the Yellowstone National Park Southern Loop and Northern Loop.
Yellowstone Visitor Centers
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.
Yellowstone Regions
There are various regions or areas throughout Yellowstone. Each one has different lodging options, services and things to do!
Canyon Village and the Grand Canyon
- Scenic Drives: Dunraven Pass, North Rim Drive, and South Rim Drive
- Hydrothermal Feature: Mud Volcano
- Natural Features: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, Hayden Valley, and Mount Washburn
- Visitor Services: Canyon Campground, Canyon Lodge, Canyon General Store, and Canyon Visitor Education Center
- Waterfalls: Lower Falls, Silver Cord Cascades, and Upper Falls
- Day Hikes, Wildlife Watching
Fishing Bridge, Lake, and Bridge Bay
- Scenic Drives: Gull Point Drive and Lake Butte Scenic Drive
- Hydrothermal Features: Mud Volcano and Steamboat Point
- Natural Features: Mary Bay, Natural Bridge, Sedge Bay, Storm Point, Sylvan Pass, and Yellowstone Lake
- Visitor Services: Bridge Bay Campground, Bridge Bay Marina, Fishing Bridge General Store, Fishing Bridge Visitor Center, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Lake General Store, Lake Hotel and Cabins, and Lake Lodge Cabins
- Day Hikes, Fishing and Boating
- Scenic Drives: Firehole Canyon Drive and Firehole Lake Drive
- Hydrothermal Features: Fountain Paint Pot, Grand Prismatic Spring, Great Fountain Geyser, Midway Geyser Basin, Terrace Springs, and White Dome Geyser
- Natural Features: Firehole Canyon, National Park Mountain, Madison River, and Purple Mountain
- Visitor Services: Madison Campground, Madison Information Station, and West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center
- Waterfalls: Fairy Falls and Firehole Falls
- Day Hikes and Fishing
Mammoth Hot Springs and the North
- Scenic Drives: Blacktail Plateau Drive and Upper Terrace Drive
- Historic Areas: Apollinaris Spring, Fort Yellowstone (historic US Army headquarters, now park headquarters), and Obsidian Cliff
- Hydrothermal Features: Boiling River, Canary Springs, and Mammoth Hot Springs
- Natural Features: Bunsen Peak, Mount Everts, Sheepeater Cliffs, and Swan Lake Flat
- Visitor Services: Albright Visitor Center, Indian Creek Campground, Mammoth Campground, Mammoth General Store, and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins
- Waterfalls: Rustic Falls, Undine Falls, and Wraith Falls
- Day Hikes
Yellowstone Maps and Guides at Amazon:
Yellowstone Tours and Day Trips
- Yellowstone Tours
- Yellowstone Summer Tours
- Yellowstone National Park Winter Tours
- Day Trips at Yellowstone
- Outdoor Activities at Yellowstone
- Attractions at Yellowstone
Places to stay in West Yellowstone
- Holiday Inn, West Yellowstone
- ClubHouse Inn, West Yellowstone
- Kelly Inn, West Yellowstone
- West Yellowstone hotels!
Places to stay in Gardiner
- Yellowstone Gateway Inn, Gardiner – full kitchen and comfy bed, one of our favorite places to stay!
- Park Hotel Yellowstone, Gardiner – charming place to stay and loved by guests!
- Absaroka Lodge, Gardiner – beautiful location with river views!
- Gardiner hotels!
Places to stay in Cooke City or Silver Gate
- Sunny Log Home on the Creek, Silver Gate (VRBO) – the most AMAZING location with an awesome fireplace and comfy bed!
- High Country Motel and Cabins – local owners who love what they do, and make you feel so welcome!
- Rent an RV – have it dropped off at your vacation destination!
