Yellowstone in October

[Kalalau]

I'm planning a trip to Wyoming hunting pronghorn antelope in unit 22 in late October. We are thinking of spending a couple of days in Yellowstone since we haven't been there. We are thinking of driving from Billings Montana and visit the park a couple of days before we hunt. Are there any recommendations from forum members as far as accommodations. routes or travel tips? Thanks for all your advise with this.

 

[Rich M]

Check and see when the park closes. They do close down sometime in the fall every year.

 

[mntnguide]

It won't close till sometime in November... plenty of options that time of year. Majority of tourists are gone compared to how it is right now. Good time of year to see it, you should see plenty of animals

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[zpooch]

The last week before closing is always the best time up there. You aren't stuck behind tour buses full of Asians and traffic jams for every squirrel somebody spots next to the road. You'll enjoy late fall up there.

 

[JimP]

Even in October accommodations for sleeping are going to be tough to come by if you plan on staying in a hotel/motel room.

 

[mustang8]

Check out campgrounds just outside of the entrances. Inside the park may be busy but I bet you can reserve a small cabin or room outside the park. That's what we ended up doing, but we are also going in 2 weeks when it is going to be very busy so I hear.

 

[wy-tex]

Lodging in Jackson is affordable if you ask the right places for their hunters rate. Jackson would be as fun town to stay in and drive up into the park. Lots of wildlife visible along the National Elk Refuge.
Cody would be another choice. Neat town on the east side of the park.

 

[Againstthewind]

Lodging in Jackson is affordable if you ask the right places for their hunters rate. Jackson would be as fun town to stay in and drive up into the park. Lots of wildlife visible along the National Elk Refuge.
Cody would be another choice. Neat town on the east side of the park.

yeah, agree with the above. From Billings you might look into taking the Beartooth HWY to Cooke City. Maybe not a road for a rented rv or something, but its pretty scenic. It is a pretty good time of year to go.

 

[ivorytip]

Yellowstone is the best in October. Lots of game moving around and no tour busses!!

 

[Kalalau]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I'm hoping we get good weather so we can use the Beartooth highway. Already looking forward to this trip.

 

[dan maule]

I came through Yellowstone last week of October about ten years ago and bear tooth was closed. We had to take chief Joseph hyway from the NE entrance to Cody. Agree with everyone that late fall is the best time to visit Yellowstone

 

[RJW]

depending on the Oct I would plan on beartooth being closed, washburn being closed, craig pass being closed. and depending on how you were going from YNP to unit 22 the bighorns could be closed, so check road conditions http://www.wyoroad.info/511/511Announcement.html

But even still it's easy to get around and it will be a great time to see the park and surrounding areas! congrats on your hunt and enjoy the state

 

[Kalalau]

depending on the Oct I would plan on beartooth being closed, washburn being closed, craig pass being closed. and depending on how you were going from YNP to unit 22 the bighorns could be closed, so check road conditions http://www.wyoroad.info/511/511Announcement.html

But even still it's easy to get around and it will be a great time to see the park and surrounding areas! congrats on your hunt and enjoy the state

I was thinking about driving from Billings, staying a night in Livingston, then either Cooke City or Gardiner the second night. We planned to spend our last night in Cody on our way out of the park before heading to Buffalo for our hunt.

 

[Kalalau]

Are there any public rifle ranges in Cody area?

 

[87TT]

Just got back from the park. Beartooth and some of the other roads are closed for the year. Might want to call first.

 

[cking13]

Lodging in Jackson is affordable if you ask the right places for their hunters rate. Jackson would be as fun town to stay in and drive up into the park. Lots of wildlife visible along the National Elk Refuge.
Cody would be another choice. Neat town on the east side of the park.

I shouldve asked for a hunter discount when I was there. $200 for the cheap hotel didnt sound too good to me. Yellowstone is a pretty amazing place though. I came in through the south entrance and drove the park and left through the east entrance and hit Cody. Had elk bugling in my face while i was there. First time ive ever heard that in person. Cant wait to hear that again.

 

[Kalalau]

Yellowstone was awesome!!!! We saw everything except Bears and Wolves. We were lucky to get out of Yellowstone when we did. The east entrance closed later that evening. Stayed in the Big Bear Motel in Cody. Accommodations were good except the A/C in room 43 wasn't caulked when installed and the strong winds that night blew right through that space. Towels and duct tape fixed the problem. We ate at Irma and all the Halloween decorations were up. Visited the Museum of the West early the next morning. We needed to leave by 11:00 pm to be in Buffalo by 3:00pm. We needed to sight in a rifle there. We saw what we could in the Museums and arrived in Buffalo by 3:15 pm. After a box of shells the rifle was sighted in. The winds blew 40-50 MPH while hunting the next 2 days but the hunting was still spectacular. It reminded me of hunting Muflon Sheep back home. Lots of glassing and stalking! First day 2 Pronghorn Antelope were harvested. Day 2 was great with 3 pronghorn antelope harvested and all remaining tags filled. I want to thank all who helped by responding to my post and that helped make our trip so memorable.

 

[ScottR]

Thanks for sharing your pics! The smiles from the hunt say it all!

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Always a good hunting trip when you can throw in some sightseeing.

 

[BrettKoenecke]

Well done, thanks for the report.