Weather in Wyoming in June
June in Wyoming is glorious but unpredictable. Yellowstone's elevation (mostly 7,000-8,000 feet) keeps temperatures moderate at 35-70°F, with warm sunny afternoons and genuinely cold mornings. Grand Teton runs similar temps with clearer skies. Jackson Hole in the valley is the warmest at 40-75°F.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common, especially in the mountains. They roll in fast around 2-3pm, dump rain or hail for 30-60 minutes, then clear out. Snow is still possible at higher elevations through mid-June. Some roads and passes don't open until late June depending on snowpack.
June days are long — sunrise before 6am, sunset after 9pm. That's 15+ hours of daylight for hiking, wildlife watching, and not wanting to go inside.
- •Yellowstone's highest roads (Dunraven Pass, Beartooth Highway) may not open until mid-June. Check the NPS road status page before planning your route.
- •June mosquitoes in Yellowstone are legendary. Bring DEET or picaridin-based repellent. The meadows near Hayden Valley are worst at dusk.
What to Pack
Layers, layers, layers. A morning at 38°F becomes an afternoon at 72°F becomes an evening thunderstorm at 50°F — all in one day. Bring a warm fleece, a waterproof shell, hiking boots with ankle support, and bear spray (required in both parks, available at park stores for $10-12). Sunscreen for high altitude UV. Binoculars for wildlife — you'll use them more than your phone camera.
Yellowstone: Baby Animals and Big Herds
June is peak wildlife month in Yellowstone. Bison calves (nicknamed 'red dogs' for their orange fur) are everywhere — born in April and May, by June they're wobbling alongside the herds in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley. Elk calves, pronghorn fawns, and bear cubs are also out. Wolves are active and visible with pups at den sites. This is the single best month for wildlife photography in the Lower 48.
Lamar Valley — often called the Serengeti of North America — is the go-to for dawn and dusk wildlife viewing. Park at pulloffs along the road and glass the valley with binoculars. Grizzly bears, wolves, bison, elk, and coyotes are all regulars. Dawn (5-7am) and dusk (7-9pm) are peak activity times.
- •Bring binoculars or a spotting scope. Most good wildlife sightings are at distance. A 300mm+ lens is minimum for useful photos.
- •Join a ranger-led program for free. Yellowstone rangers run wildlife watching walks, campfire talks, and guided hikes throughout June. Check the park newspaper on arrival.
- •Traffic jams caused by bison on the road are called 'bison jams.' They can last 30 minutes to 2 hours. Build buffer time into every drive.
Wildlife Safety
Yellowstone animals are wild and will hurt you if you get too close. Stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, 25 yards from bison and elk. Every year, tourists get gored by bison because they walked up for a selfie. The bison weigh 2,000 pounds and can run 35mph. You cannot outrun them. You cannot outcute them for Instagram.
Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Keep it on your hip, not in your backpack. If a bison's tail goes up, back away immediately — that's the pre-charge signal.
Best Wildlife Viewing Spots
Lamar Valley is the crown jewel — the wide open valley makes spotting animals from the road straightforward. Hayden Valley between Canyon Village and Fishing Bridge is the second-best option with bison herds and occasional grizzlies. The Pelican Valley area has large bear populations but requires backcountry hiking. Mount Washburn trailhead area is good for bighorn sheep.
Yellowstone's Geothermal Hits
Yellowstone sits on a supervolcano (relax, it's not erupting anytime soon) that powers 10,000+ geothermal features — more than anywhere else on Earth. The geysers, hot springs, and mud pots are the visual backbone of the park, and June's warm weather makes walking the boardwalks comfortable instead of freezing.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Park entry (7-day) | $35/vehicle |
| Old Faithful Inn | $180-450/night |
| Lake Yellowstone Hotel | $200-400/night |
| Canyon Lodge cabin | $150-300/night |
| Campgrounds | $20-32/night |
Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin
Old Faithful erupts every 60-110 minutes (check the visitor center for the next predicted time) and shoots 130-180 feet of boiling water into the air. It's impressive every single time. The Upper Geyser Basin surrounding it has the highest concentration of geysers in the world — Morning Glory Pool, Castle Geyser, and Grand Geyser are all within a 3-mile boardwalk loop.
The Old Faithful Inn is a national landmark and worth walking through even if you're not staying there. The lobby is a massive log structure built in 1903-1904 with a 65-foot stone fireplace. Rooms start at $180/night but book 6+ months ahead.
Grand Prismatic Spring
The largest hot spring in the US and the third largest in the world. The rings of orange, yellow, and green surrounding the deep blue center are caused by heat-loving bacteria — each color band represents a different temperature zone. The Fairy Falls Trail overlook (1.6 miles round trip, easy) gives you the aerial view that makes every Yellowstone poster.
The boardwalk at ground level is also worth doing, but steam often obscures the colors. The overlook trail is the money shot.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Terraced limestone formations that look like another planet. The travertine terraces change constantly as mineral deposits shift water flow. Some terraces are bone-dry and white, others are flowing with water and stained orange. The Upper and Lower Terrace boardwalks take 1-2 hours combined. Free elk herds wander the Mammoth Village lawn.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton sits immediately south of Yellowstone and delivers something Yellowstone doesn't: dramatic, in-your-face mountain scenery. The Teton Range rises 7,000 feet from the valley floor without any foothills in between — it's one of the most abrupt mountain fronts on the planet. June is when the snow recedes enough to hike the mid-elevation trails while the peaks still have snow caps for photos.
- •The Yellowstone-Grand Teton combo pass is $70 for both parks (7 days). Buy it at the first park entrance you hit.
- •String Lake is the warmest swimming spot in the park. By late June, the shallow lake warms enough for a quick dip with mountain views. Bring a towel.
- •Moose are most active at dawn and dusk near willow thickets. Schwabacher Landing and Oxbow Bend are the best spots.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Park entry (7-day) | $35/vehicle |
| Jenny Lake boat shuttle | $18 round trip |
| Snake River float trip | $80-95/person |
| Jackson Lake Lodge | $250-450/night |
| Colter Bay cabins | $90-200/night |
Jenny Lake
The centerpiece of the park. Take the shuttle boat across ($18 round trip, runs every 15 minutes) and hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point — a 2.4-mile round trip from the west shore with 400 feet of gain. The view of Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point with the Teton Range behind you is the park's signature shot.
For a bigger day, continue past Inspiration Point to Cascade Canyon — a glacier-carved valley with wildflower meadows, moose sightings, and cascading creeks. The full out-and-back to the canyon fork is 9.6 miles.
Mormon Row and Schwabacher Landing
Mormon Row Historic District has the most photographed barn in America — the T.A. Moulton Barn, with the Teton Range as backdrop. Sunrise here in June is a religious experience for photographers. Arrive by 5:30am or you'll be fighting for tripod space.
Schwabacher Landing is a beaver-pond area with mirror-perfect reflections of the Tetons at dawn. Moose frequent the willows along the Snake River here. It's a short walk from the parking area and one of the most rewarding low-effort viewpoints in any national park.
Snake River Float
A scenic float trip down the Snake River is the most relaxing way to see the Tetons. Guided trips run 10-13 miles over 3-4 hours, passing through cottonwood groves with bald eagle nests, beaver lodges, and occasional moose on the banks. Barker-Ewing, Solitude, and Grand Teton Lodge Company all run trips for $80-95 per adult.
Jackson Hole: Mountain Town Done Right
Jackson is the gateway town to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton, and it's become a destination in its own right. The town square with its elk-antler arches, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar with saddle barstools, and a dining scene that punches way above a town of 10,000 people. June is the transition from ski season to summer — prices dip briefly before July's peak tourist push.
- •Jackson is expensive. Everything costs 30-50% more than comparable mountain towns. Budget accordingly or stay in Driggs, Idaho (45 min away) for half the price.
- •The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is a tourist trap but also genuinely fun. Sit on a saddle, order a Wyoming Whiskey, and lean into it.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Jackson Hole Aerial Tram | $45 round trip |
| Guided fly fishing | $450-550/day |
| Horseback riding | $80-120/2hr |
| Jackson hotels | $180-400/night |
| Jackson Airbnb/cabin | $150-350/night |
Where to Eat
Persephone Bakery for morning pastries and coffee — the line is worth it. Snake River Brewing for lunch — their Zonker Stout won Gold at the Great American Beer Festival and the wood-fired pizza is excellent. Bin22 for wine and small plates in a converted gas station. For a splurge, The Handle Bar at the Four Seasons does elk sliders and cocktails with Teton views.
Budget move: the Jackson Hole Farmers Market runs Saturdays 8am-noon from mid-June through October in Town Square. Local vendors, prepared foods, and live music.
Summer Activities
The Jackson Hole Aerial Tram runs in summer ($45 round trip) to the 10,450-foot summit of Rendezvous Mountain. The views span the Tetons, the Snake River valley, and into Idaho. The Granite Canyon Trail descends from the top through wildflower meadows — arrange a shuttle or hitchhike back to the base (it's Wyoming, people stop).
Mountain biking, fly fishing on the Snake River ($450-550/day guided), and horseback riding through Bridger-Teton National Forest ($80-120 for 2 hours) round out the activity list.
Devils Tower and the Wind River Range
Wyoming has more than Yellowstone and the Tetons — though most visitors never make it past those two. Devils Tower in the northeast and the Wind River Range in the west are world-class destinations that stay uncrowded even in peak summer.
- •Devils Tower is a 5-hour drive from Yellowstone. It works as a stop on a road trip but not as a day trip from the parks.
- •The Wind River Range has no services. Pack everything you need including water filtration, bear canisters (grizzlies are present), and a detailed topo map. Cell service is nonexistent.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Devils Tower entry | $20/vehicle |
| Devils Tower camping | $16-30/night |
| Guided tower climb | $300-500/person |
| Wind River trailhead | Free |
Devils Tower National Monument
America's first national monument (designated 1906) is a 867-foot igneous rock tower rising straight out of the prairie. It looks like nothing else on Earth. The Tower Trail (1.3 miles, easy) loops the base with interpretive signs explaining the geology and the site's significance to Northern Plains tribes.
Rock climbers come from around the world for the parallel crack systems on the tower's columns. Guided climbs run $300-500/person with local outfitters. June is prime climbing season. The monument asks climbers to voluntarily avoid the tower during the month of June out of respect for Native American ceremonies — check current guidance.
Entry is $20 per vehicle. The campground inside the monument ($16-30/night) is one of the most atmospheric in the NPS system — prairie dogs pop up everywhere and the tower glows orange at sunset.
Wind River Range
The Winds are Wyoming's best-kept secret: a 100-mile granite range with glaciers, alpine lakes, and peaks over 13,000 feet. Cirque of the Towers is one of the most stunning backcountry destinations in North America — a semicircle of granite spires surrounding Lonesome Lake. Getting there requires a 9-mile hike from the Big Sandy trailhead.
June is the cusp of backpacking season in the Winds. Lower elevation trails are usually clear by mid-June, but high passes may hold snow into early July. Check conditions with the Shoshone National Forest ranger station. No permits required for day hiking; backcountry camping is free but leave-no-trace.
Budget Breakdown
A realistic 7-day Wyoming trip covering Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Jackson Hole. Prices per person, mid-range accommodation, and at least one Snake River float trip.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Flights (to JAC or BZN) | $200-500 |
| Hotels/cabins (7 nights) | $900-2,800 |
| Rental car (7 days) | $300-550 |
| Food (7 days) | $350-700 |
| Activities + park fees | $150-400 |
| Gas | $80-140 |
| Total | $1,980-5,090 |
Sample 7-Day Itinerary
This route covers Yellowstone and Grand Teton with Jackson Hole as your base for the southern portion. A car is absolutely essential.
Day 1: Arrive Jackson Hole
Fly into JAC (Jackson Hole Airport — the only commercial airport inside a national park). Settle into your hotel, walk the town square, saddle up at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Dinner at Snake River Brewing. Early to bed — tomorrow starts at dawn.
Days 2-3: Grand Teton National Park
Day 2: Sunrise at Mormon Row (be there by 5:30am). Schwabacher Landing for moose spotting. Jenny Lake boat shuttle and hike to Inspiration Point. Afternoon float trip on the Snake River. Day 3: Hike Cascade Canyon or Lake Solitude trail. Lunch at Signal Mountain Lodge. Drive the Teton Park Road for pulloff views.
Days 4-5: Yellowstone South and Central
Day 4: Drive north into Yellowstone. Old Faithful (time your arrival with the eruption schedule), Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk, Grand Prismatic Spring overlook via Fairy Falls Trail. Overnight at Old Faithful Inn or Canyon Lodge. Day 5: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone — Artist Point and Uncle Tom's Trail. Hayden Valley for bison and grizzly spotting. Mud Volcano area.
Day 6: Yellowstone North — Lamar Valley
Dawn wildlife drive through Lamar Valley — wolves, bison herds, pronghorn, and grizzlies are all possible. Mammoth Hot Springs terraces mid-morning. Lunch at Mammoth Hotel dining room. Tower Fall in the afternoon. Return south via Dunraven Pass (if open) for Mount Washburn views.
Day 7: Jackson Hole and Departure
Morning ride on the Aerial Tram to Rendezvous Peak summit. Brunch at Persephone Bakery. Last-minute shopping in Jackson. Afternoon flight from JAC, or drive to Bozeman (BZN) for more flight options.
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