Yellowstone Weather in April: What to Expect

If you are hoping to visit any National Park during the spring season, you should definitely know what Yellowstone weather in April is like. While this infamous National Park isn’t fully open until May, there’s a lot to love and explore in Yellowstone during this time of year. But what makes this park special in April, and what should you expect out of a trip during this time of year?

In this article, we will address everything you need to know about Yellowstone National Park weather in April so that you can accurately plan your trip. We will go over all of the pros and cons for visiting during early spring, as well as what there is to do during this time of year. Let’s get started and talk about Yellowstone and all it has to offer now!

What is the Weather Like in Yellowstone in April?

The weather in Yellowstone in April is slightly warmer than March, with 43 degrees Fahrenheit as the high and 18 degrees Fahrenheit as the low. While there is a similar level of rain compared to more wintery months, there is less snowfall overall, especially as the month continues. In addition, there are nearly 14 hours of daylight per day in the park.

This isn’t to say that you should expect zero snow during your April visit to Yellowstone- on the contrary! There will absolutely still be snow on the ground, and many visitors consider this time of year too cold and unpredictable to bother with. However, there are a number of good reasons to visit Yellowstone during the month of April, despite the colder weather. Let’s talk about some of these pros now.

Pros of Visiting Yellowstone in April

One of the main benefits to visiting Yellowstone National Park in April has to be the fact that there are very few visitors. In fact, April averages less than 2,000 visitors a day, which is significantly smaller than the number of visitors coming through during the month of July. Plus, the weather is slightly warmer compared to February and March, so you may find your time quite pleasant!

In addition, many more roads and hikes open up within the park after the 15th of April. This means that there is nearly double the amount of things to see and explore compared to previous months of the year. While some areas may still be off-limits to residential vehicles, you will find a larger number of options compared to the beginning of the month.

Finally, April is the time of year when wildlife in the park truly starts to come alive. Bears come out of hibernation, bison begin breeding, and birds emerge from their nests in abundance. While the flora may be a bit farther behind in its awakening, there’s still plenty of fantastic animals and wild beauty to see!

Cons of Visiting Yellowstone in April

There’s a reason why few people choose to visit Yellowstone in April, and it is primarily the cold. The weather isn’t ideal for a number of visitors, especially those hoping to hike and camp throughout the park. Additionally, Yellowstone National Park has many other outdoor attractions nearby, and many of these don’t open until May, or are entirely weather-dependent.

Knowing that you can’t do and experience everything due to weather can be disappointing. You may also find the many road closures and unavailable hikes to be a let down. However, mid-April brings with it even more things to do, and there’s too much to see in Yellowstone for you to accomplish all of it in a single visit anyway!

What to Do in Yellowstone in April

There are a number of things to do in Yellowstone National Park during the month of April, regardless of the weather. Besides enjoying the Old Faithful Inn and a variety of hikes, here’s what you can do no matter how the Yellowstone weather in April is!

Wildlife Viewing

Springtime is a beautiful time to visit the park, even if you are feeling a bit cold. Many different animal species wake up during the month of April and make their way down into the warmer valleys in Yellowstone, near roads and more populated areas of the park. Bears wake up from hibernation, bison and deer bring new life into the world- it’s truly a beautiful time!

Some of the animals you can expect to see during this time of year are: 

• Elk
• Foxes
• Bighorn sheep
• Bison
• Wolves
• Deer
• Weasels
• Hare

Birdwatching

Just like many other animal species found throughout the park, you can expect to see a wide number of bird species awakening during April in Yellowstone as well. In fact, there are over 300 different species found throughout the park, with 150 choosing to nest in Yellowstone National Park. You can view waterfowl and songbirds alongside raptors and owls, depending on the time of year!

Road Openings and More Hiking

Not only can you drive to more locations in the park with the arrival of mid-April. You can also do a variety of hikes that are more weather-dependent than others. Depending on what you prefer, having more options is never a bad thing! Drive from the west entrance all the way to Old Faithful, or take your time and hike any of the 900 miles of trails offered by Yellowstone. Just be sure to bring a jacket!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Volodymyr Burdiak/Shutterstock.com