Old Faithful eruption: Check. Artist’s Point: Check. Grizzly bear: Check. Bison jam: Check. It’s so tempting to try to do it all that you may miss the true essence of what Yellowstone offers: the kind of silence, solitude, and wildness that’s difficult to experience in our daily lives. Without careful planning, Yellowstone’s summer crowds can diminish the magic of Yellowstone: the chance to be immersed in a world larger than ourselves, a place where humans are not the top of the food chain, a place where the agenda is set by wild animals and weather instead of by the smartphone. 

And yet, every summer, many thousands of people converge on the park in July and August, racing from one iconic feature to the next, jostling each other on boardwalks and honking in 2 hour bison jams. With over 4 million visits a year, Yellowstone can feel a lot more like an amusement park in midsummer than a peaceful wilderness. But it doesn’t have to.

Here’s how to find solitude in Yellowstone, despite the summer crowds:

1. Become crepuscular.

Many animals in Yellowstone are “crepuscular,” which means active in the early morning and late evening. If you rise early and stay late, you’ll not only avoid the crowds, but you’ll also find more active animals, fewer cars on the road, and have many of the park’s features almost all to yourself. Plus, how often do you actually watch a sunrise or a sunset? What better place to do it than Yellowstone?

2. Hit the trail.

Only a tiny fraction of park visitors venture away from their car except on Yellowstone’s boardwalks. Going for a hike is the surest way to get away from the crowds of midsummer, and let the peace of Yellowstone sink in. Make sure you prepare for changeable weather with layers, carry sunscreen, water, and snacks, and know how to stay safe in bear country. You might also try a backpacking trip to one of the park’s plentiful backcountry campsites. You can reserve many sites in advance, and the rest are held available for visitors to book once they arrive in the park. See the park’s backcountry planner for more information.

3. Pack a picnic.

While the park concessioners offer multiple dining options, the park villages can be very busy mid summer. Instead of eating with the masses, stock up at one of the gateway community grocery stores, or order a “box” lunch from YNP Lodges, and enjoy a peaceful meal along a river, meadow, or forest at one of the park’s many picnic areas. You can also make your own impromptu picnic spot anywhere along the roadside, as we did here in this photo. Just make sure to pack out all your trash and belongings to keep the view pristine for the next visitor.

4. Try doing something creative.

Have you ever noticed how many different colors grace the sheer cliffs of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone? You will if you sit down and try to paint or draw what you see. Photographing, drawing, or painting what’s in front of you accesses a different part of your brain, and makes space for a deeper connection with place. A simple child’s watercolor set or a pencil and any old notebook will do, you don’t have to have fancy gear. Don’t worry about not being an “artist” or creating something “good.” The point is to disconnect from the world and tune in to the beauty around you.

5. Take your time.

Don’t try to do it all. With 2.2 million acres, 466 miles of road, and over 4,000 bison (who are frequently found on the roads), it’s hard to get anywhere fast even if you want to. You need several days. If you only have one or two days, then relinquish the desire to see everything. Pick one or two areas and explore them in depth. Trust us! Get somewhere and stay a while – whether it’s in a geyser basin, on a hill in Lamar Valley, or on a backcountry trail.

Follow these tips and you’ll have a Yellowstone trip to remember.

If you come in mid summer, you won’t be able to avoid Yellowstone’s summer crowds entirely. You can’t get from point A to B in the park without encountering many other people doing so. However, these tips will give you the best chance at enjoying the best the park has to offer, while leaving most of the traffic and crowds behind.

If you’d like to think about coming in a different season, consider reading Finding Solitude on Yellowstone’s Boardwalks, Finding Yellowstone Magic, and Our Three Day Old Faithful Winter Itinerary.

Do you have any other tips for avoiding the crowds in the summer? We’d love to hear your advice! Drop us a line on Facebook, Instagram, or email.

Need help planning your trip? Book a Yellowstone Trip Planning session with our favorite guide partners.

All photos ©Jenny Golding