Yellowstone and Grand Teton in Early May

I had always wanted to see Yellowstone since I was a kid. I remember flipping through history books and seeing photos alongside pages describing the Yellowstone Act and the early movement to preserve natural lands across the United States. Yellowstone National Park represents a vast landscape dedicated entirely to nature, far removed from large cities, development, and everyday settlement.

As the first national park in the world, Yellowstone set an example that many other countries later followed when creating protected lands of their own. From the geothermal landscapes of Yellowstone to the volcanic summit of places like Haleakalā National Park in Hawaiʻi.

The park sits in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, with portions extending into Montana and Idaho. Just to the south lies its neighboring and younger park, Grand Teton National Park, known for its dramatic mountain landscapes.

Highlights From Yellowstone

Some of the most memorable sights throughout Yellowstone included:

The colorful hot springs and geothermal features
Powerful geysers scattered throughout the park
The dramatic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The historic town of Mammoth
Wildlife encounters including bison, bears, and other animals moving freely through the park

Yellowstone is enormous, and both Yellowstone and Grand Teton cannot realistically be explored in a single day unless you join a guided tour. Even then, you quickly realize how much more there is beyond the well-known landmarks like Old Faithful and Yellowstone Falls.

Having a rental car is almost essential if you plan to stay for several days. With a good map and a bit of planning, you can cover a surprising amount of ground across the park.

Staying Near the Park

Lodging is available inside both national parks, but if you prefer more budget-friendly accommodations, there are several towns located just outside the park boundaries.

For my itinerary, I stayed several days in West Yellowstone, a small and laid-back town located just outside the park’s western entrance in southwestern Montana.

Staying here gave easy access to Yellowstone while still allowing quick drives into nearby Idaho or north toward Bozeman.

Visiting Grand Teton National Park

For two additional days, I stayed in the classic western town of Jackson, Wyoming, which sits roughly 30 to 45 minutes from many of the scenic overlooks of the stunning Teton Mountain Range.

Grand Teton National Park offers a completely different atmosphere compared to Yellowstone. While Yellowstone is known for its geothermal features and wildlife, Grand Teton is defined by its dramatic mountain landscapes and wide open valleys.

Even short drives through the park reveal some of the most breathtaking views in the American West.

Traveling Yellowstone in Early May: Pros and Cons

Traveling in early May comes with both advantages and disadvantages.

On the positive side, visiting shortly after the park opens for the season means far fewer crowds. Many popular viewpoints and scenic areas were surprisingly quiet, something that becomes much rarer during peak summer months like June and July.

However, visiting this early in the season also means dealing with the lingering effects of winter. Snow still remained in certain areas of the park, and unpredictable weather was always a possibility.

Because of safety concerns, some scenic drives, hiking trails, and attractions were still closed. During my visit, activities such as Jackson Lake ferries and the Jackson Hole tram were unavailable due to seasonal closures.

At times this was frustrating, especially after traveling such a long distance with high expectations. But in the end, those minor setbacks felt like a fair trade-off for experiencing the parks during such a peaceful and uncrowded time.

Final Thoughts

Visiting remote and protected landscapes like Yellowstone reminds me of other unique national park experiences across the United States, such as exploring Dry Tortugas National Park near Key West, where history and nature exist far from the mainland. Despite a few early-season limitations, visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton in May turned out to be far better than I had anticipated.

The quiet roads, open landscapes, and wildlife encounters created memories that will stay with me for a lifetime.

Hopefully one day, when I’m ready for a cross-country journey across the United States again, I’ll return to these incredible places and create even more memories.

Early May may come with a few trade-offs, but if you’re looking to avoid the summer crowds, it might actually be one of the best times to visit.