article by Jamie Blotske | photo by Seth Kroft

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

When considering a trip to visit a national park, most travelers would plan for the peak summer months. School is out, the weather is warm, and the days are long, allowing for more time to sightsee and explore. However, we here in Billings and the surrounding areas know how crowded our nearby national park gets during those long, warm summer days. And that is why planning a shoulder season trip to one of the nation’s most sought-after destinations is the way to go!

WHAT IS SHOULDER SEASON?

Great question! A shoulder season is a period of time either before or after a travel destination’s (in this case, Yellowstone National Park) peak season. For most national parks around the country, peak season would be in the summer months, or from Memorial to Labor Day. November, then, is clearly in the shoulder season time frame.

NATIONAL PARK NOVEMBER

November is a great time to plan an escape to Yellowstone National Park! Why? For one, the crowds are significantly smaller. If you’re planning to stay a night or two, you’re in luck because you will most likely see price drops in lodging, both within the park and in neighboring communities. The weather can be a bit more favorable, especially if you aren’t too keen on heat and rising temperatures. You could encounter snow, but that just adds a magical feel to the park when its landscape is covered in a flawless white blanket. And lastly, there’s a good chance of observing more wildlife, as they are more active with cooler weather and fewer people roaming their territory.

YELLOWSTONE HOT SPRINGS

Planning a weekend getaway to the park? Be sure to include a day of soaking at Yellowstone Hot Springs, just outside of Gardiner, Montana. Better yet, plan to stay! Check out their cozy cabins online and book one today! This, paired with Yellowstone National Park, could be just the mini vacation you and your family need before the craziness of the holidays begins!

STAY HERE:

The Cabins at Yellowstone Hot Springs 

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins – stay right in the park

ParkWay Yellowstone Apartments – in Gardiner, overlooking the Yellowstone River

EAT HERE:

Cowboy’s Lodge & Grill in Gardiner – great overall selection of food and sits near the Yellowstone Riversits near the Yellowstone River

EAT Café in Gardiner – serving breakfast, coffee, sandwiches, salads, and gelato

Mammoth Dining Room – eat inside the park at this American- style restaurant

PLAY HERE:

Drive from Gardiner to Cooke City – while most of those roads are closed during this time, you can still take the scenic route through Lamar Valley. You’ll likely see herds of bison and possibly get the chance to see wolves and bears.

Go Hiking – most of the trails in Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley are still open and accessible. This is an ideal time to go hiking or snowshoeing.

Take a Guided Tour – Yellowstone Safari Company offers several tours starting in November, such as the Winter Wildlife Safari and Snowshoe Safari.

Originally printed in the November 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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