You need a minimum of three full days to see the top sights in Yellowstone. Since Yellowstone is so large, you will potentially spend several hours each day driving from sight to sight. Add in extra time for wildlife sightings, animal traffic jams, and maybe even circling the parking lots midday for an empty space.
The hottest month of the year in Wyoming is July, with an average high of 86°F and low of 69°F. The cold season lasts for 3.1 months, from December 4 to March 8, with an average daily high temperature below 50°F. The coldest month of the year in Wyoming is January, with an average low of 28°F and high of 42°F.
Situated on the doorstep of Grand Teton National Park and 57 miles from Yellowstone's South Entrance, Jackson Hole, a term that refers to the entire valley, offers lodging options for every budget, making it an excellent place to basecamp as you explore the two national parks.
The state of Wyoming is rich in natural wonders and Old West history. With famous National Parks, towering mountain peaks, wild rivers, and wide-open plains, this state draws visitors and recreationists from around the world.
The tables below give monthly averages for rainfall plus snowfall during June at cities, towns and parks in Wyoming. Each place has a total for the amount of precipitation it usually receives this month.
North - Central Wyoming.
| Days | 8 |
|---|
| Place | Thermopolis |
|---|
| Inches | 1.5 |
|---|
| Millimetres | 38 |
|---|
The Jackson Hole valley boasts some of the best outdoor attractions in the West. With three days to visit, you'll have plenty of time to explore Grand Teton National Park, explore the sights in the town of Jackson, and even have time for a trip to Yellowstone National Park.
An amount below 100 means Wyoming is cheaper than the US average. A cost of living index above 100 means Wyoming, Wyoming is more expensive.
Wyoming cost of living is 98.1.
| COST OF LIVING | Wyoming | United States |
|---|
| Overall | 98.1 | 100 |
| Grocery | 99.2 | 100 |
| Health | 131.3 | 100 |
| Housing | 99.1 | 100 |
The National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) data shows the mean temperature from 1971-2000 for Montana was 5.97°C (42.74°F) and Wyoming's was 5.54°C (41.98°F). Montana is at a higher latitude, so this is surprising.
The warmest parts of the state are the lower portions of the Bighorn Basin, the lower elevations of the central and northeast, and along the eastern border. The highest recorded temperature is 116°F on July 12, 1900 at Bitter Creek in Sweetwater County.
Wyoming is very windy, we all know that. According to NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Association) 50-60 MPH winds helps the Cowboy State hold the title of windiest state in the country. Wyoming easily produces annual wind speeds state wide of just under 13 MPH.
In January, the coldest month generally, man minimum temperatures range mostly from 5 to 10° F. In the western valleys mean values go down to about 5° below zero. The record low for the State is -66° F observed February 9, 1933, at Yellowstone Park.
Based on these criteria, California has the best weather of all 50 states. Coastal cities in south and central California, such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Santa Barbara, experience only 20 inches of rain per year and temperatures typically between the low 60s and 85 degrees.
Climate Averages
| Cheyenne, Wyoming | United States |
|---|
| Rainfall | 16.5 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Snowfall | 58.3 in. | 27.8 in. |
| Precipitation | 91.9 days | 106.2 days |
| Sunny | 236 days | 205 days |
226 miles northeast of Kemmerer lies the warmest town in Wyoming, Thermopolis. Named after the Greek word for "hot city", the city is home to the largest mineral hot spring in the world and boasts an average year-round high temperature of 66.
Wyoming's annual average relative humidity (RH) is quite low (Figure 9.1) and is particularly low in summer. During the warmer part of the summer days, the humidity drops to about 25 to 30% and on a few occasions it will be as low as five to 10%.
I recommend staying outside of Yellowstone if you want nicer amenities, cheaper prices, or more dining and activity options. You'll already be driving a lot to see the sights in Yellowstone, so it's best not to add more driving just to get to the park entrance.
The best time to visit Yellowstone for wildlife is in the spring, from April to May, and in the fall months. Spring is the best time to spot bears with their cubs, wolves, baby bison, and other mammals. In September, it is possible to view the elk rut in Yellowstone.
The primary cause of tree mortality in Yellowstone is native bark beetles. Beetles damage trees in similar ways: their larvae and adults consume the inner bark. If the tree is girdled, it dies.
The best times to visit Yellowstone National Park are from late April to May as well as September through early October. These shoulder months offer mild weather, fewer crowds and little to no road closures.
The only drawback to visiting in July is the crowds—on average, 4 million people visit Yellowstone in July alone. If you can only make it to Yellowstone in the summer, here are some tips to avoid the congestion: 1.
Summer clothing packing list for Yellowstone:
- Rain jacket.
- Fleece or a sweater.
- Shorts.
- Hiking pants (or zip-off pants) or jeans – something for colder weather, just in case.
- T-shirts.
- Swimwear.
- Sun hat.
- Trekking socks.
Going to Yellowstone alone is considered safe for both men and women. The National Park Service has put in place rules, regulations, and safety measures to keep park visitors safe from wildlife, extreme weather, and other natural dangers.
The months June, July and August have a nice average temperature. Cold season / winter is in the months January, February and December. On average, the warmest month is July with 26.0° Celsius (78.8° Fahrenheit).
Average summer daytime temperatures in Yellowstone National Park are in the low 70s (20-24°C). It can get as hot as 85°F (30°C) at the lower elevations in July – beginning of August, but it can also snow at the higher elevations.
Why is Jackson Hole so expensive – it's the real estate.Private land is scarce here because more than 97 percent of the land in Teton County (the county in which Jackson Hole lies) is federally owned or managed by the state. This leaves only about 2 percent of the land available for human development.
The best times to visit Jackson Hole are the months of April, May, September and October, unless you're a skier, then winter is the season for you.
The average sliding 31-day rainfall during July in Cheyenne is essentially constant, remaining about 1.3 inches throughout, and rarely exceeding 2.6 inches or falling below 0.3 inches.
Winter runs from December through mid-April. It snows frequently and temps can range from 0 to 30 degrees. Spring, from mid-April through May, is by far the most quiet season of the year.
Getting to Jackson Hole Mountain ResortJackson Hole Airport (JAC) is the only commercial airport in the United States located within a National Park (i.e., Grand Teton). Upon arrival at the airport, you are an easy 36-minute drive to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort by car, taxi or rental car.
What's the Weather Like in Montana in July? In Montana, it doesn't get much hotter than it does in July (though August might give it a run for its money!). On average, temperatures reach a high of the mid-80 in Fahrenheit degrees during the day with milder nights that hover around 50 to 60 degrees.
Jackson Hole is a laid-back place. You can wear just about anything! We do however encourage women who must wear high heels to go with a chunkier heel. The sidewalks on our Town Square remain wooden boardwalks like in the old days.
The presence of smoke in Jackson Hole may be due to severe weather patterns exacerbated by climate change. Because fire season in the northwest usually starts in the late summer, the smoke observed in Jackson Hole arrived earlier than in other years.
