Yellowstone in spring — RV camping March, April, May
PickRV Editorial
The small team behind PickRV
spring warmth
11°–57°F
Highlights
5
RV advisories
4
Permits
2
Spring is Yellowstone's "second secret season" — most campgrounds are still closed, but the wildlife show is unmatched. Bison calves (born late April) and bear cubs emerge in Lamar Valley. Wolves are easier to spot against snow-dappled meadows. The crowds are 80% lower than July. The trade-off: only Madison and Mammoth Campgrounds open before late May. Going-to-the-Sun-style high-pass roads remain closed until mid-May (Beartooth) or later (Dunraven). Bring full hookups expectations down — Fishing Bridge, the only full-hookup site, doesn't open until late May. Spring weather swings 50°F in a single day. Pack winter gear AND short-sleeves. Snow can fall on any May night above 7,000 ft.
Same park, other seasons
Pack for this
Typical weather, month by month
March
Heavy snow possible · roads mostly closed to vehicles
April
Snow + mud · waterfalls swelling from melt
May
Variable · 60°F days possible, 20°F nights still common
What's special now
Highlights this season
Bison + bear cubs in Lamar Valley
Late April through May is peak calving + cub season. Drive Lamar Valley at sunrise — bring binoculars and a long lens. Maintain 25-yard distance from bison, 100 yards from bears (NPS regulation).
Wolf-watching at Slough Creek
Yellowstone is the easiest place in the Lower 48 to see wild wolves. Volunteer wolf-watchers gather at Slough Creek pullouts before dawn — bring a spotting scope and ask politely if you can look through theirs.
Mammoth Hot Springs terraces
Spring runoff keeps the terraces flowing — they look dramatically different from summer's dry-out. Boardwalks are open year-round.
Baby pronghorn antelope
Pronghorns drop fawns late May in the northern range. The fastest land mammal in North America starts running within hours of birth.
Empty Old Faithful boardwalk
In late April, you can have Geyser Hill nearly to yourself for sunrise eruptions. The crowd density drops 95% vs July.
Time it right
When to go
Best window to plan
Plan your spring trip late May for the best balance: most park roads open, snow has melted off Lamar Valley, but campgrounds and lodges aren't yet full. Avoid mid-March through mid-April — most park interior is inaccessible to vehicles.
Before you tow in
RV-specific considerations
Road closures
Most park roads open in phases between mid-April and late May. Beartooth Pass (US-212) and Dunraven Pass typically open Memorial Day weekend. Check current status before towing.
NPS sourceCampground availability
Madison opens late April. Mammoth (the only year-round campground) takes RVs to 40 ft. Fishing Bridge RV Park (full hookups, any length) opens late May.
NPS sourceGenerator restrictions
8am-8pm generator hours apply year-round at all campgrounds. Spring nights drop to 20°F — bring extra propane for furnace heating.
Water + dump stations
Most dump stations stay closed until late May. Carry extra fresh-water capacity and plan for one dump near gateway towns (Gardiner, West Yellowstone).
Reserve ahead
Permits + reservations
Park entrance fee
$35 per vehicle, valid 7 days. Annual America the Beautiful pass ($80) pays off if visiting 2+ parks per year.
Official sourceBackcountry permits
Required for any overnight off-road trip. Spring permits available walk-up at Mammoth or by reservation through Recreation.gov.
Official sourceStay safe out there
Safety considerations
- Bear safety is non-negotiable — carry bear spray (sold + rented at park stores) on every hike, never approach wildlife.
- Spring rivers run high, cold, and fast from snowmelt. Stay off undercut banks and don't ford on foot.
- Hypothermia risk: a 50°F day can drop to 25°F at sunset. Carry layered clothing on every hike.
- Cell service is essentially absent inside the park — download offline maps and tell someone your itinerary.
- Bison appear docile but injure more visitors per year than bears. Never approach within 25 yards.
No surprises
Honest pricing reality
What it actually costs
Spring campground rates at Mammoth are $20-32/night — the cheapest of the year. Gateway-town RV parks (Gardiner, West Yellowstone) are 40-60% cheaper than July. Fuel in West Yellowstone tends to run $0.40-0.60/gal above national average — top off in Bozeman or Idaho Falls.
Quick answers
Frequently asked
When does Yellowstone open in spring?
Most park roads open in phases between mid-April and Memorial Day weekend. The North Entrance (Gardiner) and the road to Lamar Valley are accessible year-round; interior roads (Norris, Old Faithful, Canyon) open progressively as plowing finishes.
Can I RV camp in Yellowstone in April?
Limited. Mammoth Campground is the only one open year-round and takes RVs to 40 feet (no hookups). Most other campgrounds open between late April (Madison) and late May (Fishing Bridge, Bridge Bay, Grant Village).
What wildlife will I see in Yellowstone in spring?
Bison calves (born late April), bear cubs (emerging April-May), wolves (more active in cooler weather), pronghorn fawns (late May), elk + moose calves. Lamar Valley is the densest viewing area.
Do I need a reservation to enter Yellowstone in spring?
No timed-entry reservation is required for park entry. Just pay the $35 entrance fee or show your annual pass. Campground reservations through Recreation.gov are highly recommended once campgrounds open.
What the NPS site won't tell you
The NPS site won't mention this: in mid-May, the road between Mammoth and Tower Junction often closes for 1-2 days because grizzly bears use the road as an early-season travel corridor. Locals call it 'bear o'clock' — wait it out at the Mammoth general store, then watch wildlife from your rig once the road reopens.
Sources we checked
Keep planning