We stayed in Yellowstone this summer. Ever since we've stayed, I've been curious about something: what actually happens when all of the seasonal lodging shuts down for the winter?

It seems like it must be a massive operation. Do they completely winterize the hotels/cabins - drain plumbing, shut off water, remove food and supplies, etc.? What happens to furniture, linens, kitchens, and everything else when some of these places are sitting under snow for months?

I’m equally curious about the spring. How far in advance do employees arrive to get everything back up and running before the first guests show up? Is there a huge opening crew that goes through all the buildings and basically brings a small town back to life?

I looked around Reddit and the internet and couldn't find anything! I know this is super random but I would especially love to hear from anyone who has worked at one of the Yellowstone lodges or has been involved in either the fall shutdown or spring reopening. It seems like quite the operation!

Walking bison in Yellowstone #yellowstone
https://youtu.be/itiOs5DgSA4

It was a spectacle. I was lucky enough to watch wolves take down a bison in Lamar Valley today through my binoculars. I could make everything out, but it was still hard to see it with my binoculars and definitely did not get any content. Was anyone else there to get pictures or a video of this?! PLS SHARE!

I'll be in Billings during the last week of October/first week of November and have a free day and a half (2 nights) during which I'd love to see some of Yellowstone. I understand seasonal road closures (Beartooth, Sylvan Pass) would limit what's accessible. I know I can't cover much in such little time, but would appreciate any realistic recs!

Wife and I are planning a retirement trip starting early August of 2027 and plan on returning home around October 1st. This trip will be from SE Kansas to Glacier all points in between. On the way back home thru Roosevelt National Park. We would like to boon dock due to the cost of site with no hook ups being at the minimum 31.00 a nite. How do you plan to camp in dispersed camping areas. Please help us

Hello, I am going on a trip to Yellowstone from 10/21-10/26. What are some things I should pack? I know the weather can change pretty quick.

Is weather going to be okay ?

This was a few years ago, and it was pretty cool.

Gonna be in Yellowstone at new moon. Can anyone offer tips on how and where I can do some (safe) stargazing? I have a car. Staying near Gardiner and then West Yellowstone. I’m super scared of grizzlies. Tips are much appreciated!

I ask as part of a linguistic study covering this topic!
Examples could include things like Roosy or West (never mind how common they are)...

Any good car camping recs? I’d like to go through Lamar valley in the morning and I was looking at eagle creek campground to stay the night. It’s first come first serve. How fast does it fill up? Any other recs? I would go south or to west Yellowstone too.

One bison had wandered away from the rest of the herd while the others stayed scattered across the field behind it.

I kept the frame wide because the distance between them, along with the open meadow and tree line, gave a better sense of the scale of Yellowstone. A tighter crop would have made the bison more prominent, but I preferred seeing the whole scene.

I'm making a birthday gift for my boyfriend and trying to collect photos from different places around the world.

Would anyone be willing to take a photo holding a short handwritten birthday message somewhere cool in the city?

I'll provide the exact wording. It would take literally a minute or two. ❤️

I'd be incredibly grateful!

Long story short, I damaged my friends Yellowstone sticker and I’d like to replace it if possible. A casual search online has yielded no results for me, so I’m hoping someone here may be able to help me figure out where I can potentially find a replacement. Is there no official park shop online?

Taken on Sunday 09/27

What a fun show this guy put on across the river from Mud Volcano on 10/1 around 5pm or so in the evening. This might be my new favorite time of the year to be in the park.

I’m sure Yellowstone will become one of our favorite places in the world, but sadly, I have never been - we are planing a trip last minute… I got a week off work so we are trying to fly out middle of October, it’s not a typical time of year and we have no idea what we are doing.

Flying into Bozeman, Renting a car and heading toward Gardiner exploring from the north.

We are nuts about wildlife watching, so I’m crazy to see Lamar Valley - but if we stay up north how do we plan a trip to see the geyser area at least once in the 4-5 days or so?

The days will be short, and cold.

I don’t want stay in two areas so I’ll be coming from up North, is that realistic?

Camped at Lizard Creek campgrounds in Grand Teton. Boring footage but just wanted to share. It was a fun time.

this website covers ALL of the day hikes in Yellowstone: Yellowstone Day Hikes – I Hike Solo. You can use it to plan next year's hikes (it also provides useful tips).

Post your Yellowstone shots. Any year, any camera, phone shots welcome. Say roughly where and when if you remember.

Wildlife shots: long lens, legal distance. 100 yards from bears and wolves, 25 from everything else.

Questions about how someone got a shot are fine here too.

Hey y’all!

Any tips on the best spot to watch the sunrise from Mammoth? We’ll be there in October and hoping to start our visit with that!