by 
This week in Yellowstone National Park, from March 5th to March 11th, 2026, I try to explain this winter’s snowpack, let you know why March is a great time to visit the park, and tell you to walk a closed road to witness the power of nature. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, the snowpack update, a trail to hike, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”
LISTEN TO THIS AS A PODCAST
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-yellowstone-national-park/id1789397931
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/41E5WWldz4s7n6NXh2Lahr
RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/this-week-in-yellowstone-national-park/
Disclaimer: I may miss a few details, so please feel free to reach out with any questions. I also mention park locations casually. If you’re unfamiliar, a quick search can help. This report only covers drivable areas of the park.
Also, this podcast is a passion project. If you enjoy it, I’d love a review or a quick email! To support my work, check out my hiking and wildlife-watching guidebooks, or join me for a guided hiking tour in Yellowstone’s backcountry. For more information, visit outdoor-society.com or contact me directly. Seriously though, come book a trail tour with me.
THIS WEEK’S YELLOWSTONE NEWS
Time Change
If you’re heading to Yellowstone soon, don’t forget about the upcoming time change. On the second Sunday in March, clocks spring forward one hour at 2:00 a.m., which instantly becomes 3:00 a.m. It is a small shift, yet it changes the rhythm of the day in noticeable ways.
Sunrise and sunset will both happen an hour later by the clock. Wildlife that seemed active at 6:30 a.m. will now appear to be moving at 7:30. Evening light will stretch longer, which is great news if you enjoy lingering overlooks, watching bison graze, or catching that last glow on the mountains.
Most phones and devices update automatically, though vehicle clocks and analog watches usually need a manual reset. It is worth double-checking if you have early plans, whether that means a dawn drive or meeting up for a guided outing.
The extra evening daylight is often the biggest perk. March days still feel like winter in Yellowstone, yet that added hour of light hints at spring and gives you a little more time to explore before dark settles in.
EXPERIENCE OF THE WEEK
An Emptier Northern Range During Shoulder Season
March in Yellowstone National Park is shoulder season, that time between winter and spring tourism that many avoid. As over-snow travel winds down and the interior closes for a month to all but park employees, things tend to slow down a bit in Yellowstone. Visitor numbers drop sharply compared with winter numbers, tour guides take a break (not me, though, book a tour!), and amenities in and out of the park can close up for a bit. With snowcoach tours no longer taking place out of Mammoth, visitation drops sharply.
According to visitation records from previous years, March averages around 22,000 to 23,000 visitors in decades past, making it one of the least crowded months of the year. It is also constantly described as the worst month to visit the park by many online, but what do they know?
The emptier conditions are part of what makes Yellowstone in March so great. Most roads into the interior of the park remain covered in snow or inaccessible due to seasonal closures, making the only year-round access in the Northern Range route, which runs through valleys like Lamar Valley, Slough Creek, and Blacktail Plateau. Those who say March is a bad time to visit must not know that these areas are famous for winter wildlife watching continue to be that way in March. The result is a sense of solitude that few visitors experience during the busy summer season.
Because the park is quieter, visitors often describe a deeper connection with the land. Empty pull-outs and overlooks mean that you can stop and watch without the crowds that build in summer. Silence feels heavier on cool mornings when the air hangs still above snowy fields. Long daylight hours returning after winter allow for extended observation windows, from early morning into late afternoon. The slower pace encourages contemplation, whether you are watching bison graze or scanning distant hills for wolves.
For many visitors, an early March trip feels like seeing Yellowstone before most people know it exists. March is how the park used to be in the winter, visitation-wise. The emptier roads, wildlife activity, and longer days create a unique experience that rewards patience and attention. Whether you are traveling for nature observation or simply seeking a quieter moment in one of America’s great wild places, the Northern Range in March offers a rare blend of solitude and activity that feels both peaceful and alive.
TIP OF THE WEEK
What to Expect When Visiting Yellowstone National Park in March
Yellowstone in March is a season of contrasts. Usually, a lot of the country is beginning to welcome spring, yet Yellowstone can still feel very much like winter. Despite the lack of real winter here in Yellowstone this year, snowstorms remain possible in March. Nighttime temperatures often hover around or below freezing, and winter weather patterns persist well into the month.
One thing you can count on is peace and solitude. March is historically the 3rd least-visited month in Yellowstone, making it a great time to experience the big landscapes and wildlife of the northern range, without the busy crowds seen in summer.
Driving and Road Conditions
As you should know, the only road open to personal vehicle travel is the corridor from Gardiner, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City, Montana. This route passes through Lamar Valley and the broader Northern Range, one of the park’s best winter wildlife-viewing areas. Park crews plow this road as often as weather allows, but you should not expect pristine pavement if storms roll in. Patches of snow, ice, or slush are common throughout the month. Driving conditions improve gradually as March progresses, yet snowstorms can still occur, so cautious winter driving is essential.
Oversnow Travel Ending
In March, Yellowstone transitions from full winter access to spring reopening. Guided snowcoach and snowmobile routes are phased out through the early and middle part of the month. For example, the route from Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris closes in early March, followed by other segments through the first half of the month. By around mid-March, almost all oversnow travel routes are shut down for the season.
These dates can vary slightly from year to year depending on snowpack and weather, but they reflect the general timing when winter travel ends, and crews shift to spring plowing.
Wildlife Watching
March may not be the obvious choice for winter wildlife viewing, yet it can be one of the most rewarding. With fewer visitors and lingering snow, many animals concentrate in predictable areas. Yellowstone’s Northern Range, especially Lamar Valley, continues to be one of the best places in the lower 48 states to watch wolves, bison, elk, and other species.
Wolf sightings in March remain strong because packs are still actively hunting and moving across open terrain. Bison herds gather where snowpack is thinner, and elk and pronghorn are often visible near valleys and rivers where forage is accessible.
March also marks the beginning of grizzly bear emergence from torpor. As snow begins to soften and days lengthen, bears may be seen more frequently, especially later in the month. Birds such as sandhill cranes, western meadowlarks, and Rocky Mountain bluebirds also start returning, adding to the sense of seasonal shift.
Hiking, Snowshoeing, and Trails
Expect sloppy snow on most hiking routes in March. Trails are either snow-covered or muddy as snow melts in patches. Many hikers swap boots for snowshoes or cross-country skis to explore the park. Even popular paths like the road to Slough Creek, areas around the Upper Terraces at Mammoth, or sections of Blacktail Plateau become snowshoe routes.
Toward the end of March, some ground may become exposed as snow melts, but this often creates thick mud instead of clear trails. For many visitors, walking on snow-covered closed roads or designated snowshoe paths offers the best access.
Weather in March
The weather in Yellowstone during March is famously unpredictable. One day may bring sun and near-spring warmth, while the next can bring snow and cold winds. Expect cold overall, especially at night, with temperatures near zero Fahrenheit not uncommon. Warm layers, waterproof clothing, and preparation for rapidly shifting conditions are necessary.
A useful rule of thumb is that temperatures and snow cover increase as you travel toward higher elevations, especially near Cooke City. That area typically stays colder and snowier than Mammoth.
Camping and Amenities
Mammoth Hot Springs Campground is usually the only front-country campground open inside Yellowstone in March. Backcountry camping is possible with permits, but many areas remain restricted for safety or wildlife management reasons.
Outside the park, most campgrounds are still closed until spring or early summer. Roads leading to primitive camping areas in the surrounding national forests may still be blocked by snow.
March is a slower time for gateway communities as well. Restaurants, shops, and hotels surrounding the park may have limited hours or closures. Locals often outnumber tourists on quieter weekdays, creating a calm, almost reflective atmosphere before the summer rush.
RANDOM YELLOWSTONE FACT OF THE WEEK
How Does This Winter’s Snowpack Stack Up To the Last Decade?
Winter in Yellowstone often looks calm on the surface. Snow settles into the forests and across the high plateaus, and the landscape feels still. Beneath that quiet, the park’s most important water supply is being built. Snowpack is not simply frozen precipitation. It is stored water, measured as snow water equivalent, or SWE, and it determines how rivers, wildlife, and communities will fare in the months ahead.
SWE tells us how much liquid water is contained within the snow. That number matters far more than depth alone. A deep but dry snowpack can hold less water than a denser, more compact one. Across the Yellowstone River Basin, early March 2026 data show SWE at approximately 90% percent of the 1991 to 2020 median. That puts this winter just under average at this point in the season. While not ideal, the upper-level snowpack is much better than most assume.
To understand how that compares, it helps to look at the last few years. In early March 2025, the basin measured about 96 percent of the median SWE. In 2024, the figure was slightly lower at roughly 80% percent of the median. 2023 was 106% of normal, 2022 was around 82% of normal, 2021 was around 98% of normal, and 2020 was 105% of normal. 2019, 2018, and 2017 were all way above normal, and 2016 was about 90% of normal at the start of March.
This year’s snowpack reflects heavy December storms and solid accumulation at higher elevation SNOTEL sites. Many upper elevation monitoring stations entered January with snow water totals already near or above the median. Continued winter storms helped maintain that margin. High basins act as natural storage areas, preserving SWE into spring if temperatures remain cool. The issue, and the dialogue most hear about the snowpack this year, revolves around the lack of snow at the lower elevations. Since SNOTEL sites are all at upper elevations, they only tell part of the snow story.
Montana’s statewide data adds important context. As of March 1, 2026, most major river basins across Montana ranged between 66 and 101 percent of the median SWE. The Upper Yellowstone basin in Montana has tracked closer to normal for much of the winter, while other basins, particularly at mid and lower elevations, have fallen behind. Some lower elevation sites reported SWE deficits of one to five inches compared with median values in February. I am sure those numbers did not improve by the start of March.
Warm and dry conditions during January and February slowed accumulation across much of the state. Higher elevations remain in better shape, yet mid-elevation snowpack is notably below normal in several basins. Thankfully, the Yellowstone region has not yet reached peak snowpack, which typically occurs in late March or early April. Late winter storms could still narrow existing deficits or strengthen surpluses.
These differences in SWE matter on the ground. A basin sitting at 110 percent of the median in early February generally points toward healthy spring runoff, assuming gradual melt conditions. By contrast, basins hovering near 65 to 75 percent of median may face tighter water supplies if late winter storms fail to materialize.
Snowpack shapes everything that follows. Strong SWE supports steady spring flows, groundwater recharge, and sustained soil moisture in meadows and riparian areas. Lower SWE can compress runoff into a shorter window, stressing ecosystems and water users alike.
This winter’s numbers suggest a relatively healthy start for the Yellowstone basin, especially compared with 2024 and 2025. Montana’s broader landscape remains mixed, with higher elevations carrying more promise than lower ones. The final outcome will depend on what the remainder of the snow season delivers. Right now, in early March, the data already tells a story of a healthy snowpack in the upper elevations and not great news down below. What that means and whether it will change is anyone’s guess. Only time will tell.
WEATHER FOR THE COMING WEEK
As always, this is the best forecast for the week at the time of recording. The forecast can change numerous times in a week, but this should be within the ballpark of what you’ll experience when visiting the park.
I am too lazy to type it all out, so you’ll have to listen to the podcast to get the weather forecast, or just contact me.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-yellowstone-national-park/id1789397931
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/41E5WWldz4s7n6NXh2Lahr
RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/this-week-in-yellowstone-national-park/
ROADS CONDITIONS
The only road open is the road between Gardiner, Montana, and Cooke City, Montana. Please be aware that this road can close at any time due to inclement weather.
For up-to-date information, call (307) 344-2117 for recorded information, or sign up to receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting “82190” to 888-777.
CAMPING INFO
There is only one campground open in the park right now, and that is the Mammoth Campground, which is open year-round.
WILDLIFE WATCHING UPDATE
You have to listen to the podcast to get this information. Sorry.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-yellowstone-national-park/id1789397931
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/41E5WWldz4s7n6NXh2Lahr
RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/this-week-in-yellowstone-national-park/
TRAIL ALERTS AND UPDATES
There are no official trail alerts this week. That being said, we are days away from bears coming out of their dens for the spring. While a grizzly was sighted a few weeks ago, it vanished as fast as it was spotted. That won’t be the case soon. Carry bear spray. Have it readily accessible and not in a backpack. Know how to use it.
TREK OF THE WEEK
The Road To The Washout
With the snowpack not ideal for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing unless you get out toward Cooke City, I am once again recommending a hike instead of a sloppy snow slog.
Walking the closed road from Mammoth Hot Springs toward the 2022 washout is a unique way to explore an often overlooked side of Yellowstone’s landscape and history. In June 2022, unprecedented rainfall after heavy snow and rapid flooding damaged multiple sections of the park’s North Entrance Road, washing out portions of the paved highway between Mammoth and Gardiner, Montana, along the Gardner River. The flood event was exceptionally severe, prompting widespread infrastructure damage, road closures, and a major recovery effort by the National Park Service.
While crews and contractors worked to stabilize and rebuild access, much of the original paved road through the canyon remained permanently altered by the force of the water. That makes the closed section near Mammoth an interesting place to visit on foot. The site where the washout occurred is a rare chance to see firsthand how dynamic and powerful Yellowstone’s waterways can be, and today, many visitors walk the old alignment as a pedestrian route that traces the Gardner River downstream toward the dramatic rupture in the pavement.
To do this walk, I like to park in Mammoth near the visitor center, post office, or another public area and begin following theshort and steep trail from Mammoth down to the Campground. Near the campground, there will be some signs or informal barriers designed to stop vehicles, but they are not there to stop pedestrians, so you can continue on the paved surface as it gradually descends toward the river. Along the way, you cross old pavement and roadside sections that once carried visitors into the park.
As you walk, you are likely to see wildlife such as elk, deer, bison, and pronghorn grazing near the riverbanks or among stands of cottonwood. Raptors, including hawks and eagles, patrol the skies, and smaller birds like ducks, magpies, or the first bluebirds flit along the vegetation. The route traces the Gardner River for much of the distance, offering sweeping views of the canyon walls and abundant opportunities to enjoy riverside scenery away from traffic.
Eventually, the pavement ends at the washout itself, a wide, jagged break where water surged through in 2022 with enough force to erode massive sections of roadbed and reshape the landscape. This endpoint is both a striking visual and a physical reminder of the region’s hydrologic power. Hikers should pause here, take in the scale of the damage, and reflect on the natural processes that continue to shape this land. It is quite stunning to see how the road and the hillside just vanished.
The walk to and from the washout, from Mammoth, is roughly six miles round trip with about 600 feet of elevation change, following a gradual downhill and then uphill return. Comfortable walking shoes are sufficient, and the route does not typically require specialized equipment, though layers, water, and snacks are recommended.
Walking the closed road toward the washout combines accessible exploration, wildlife watching, riverside scenery, and a tangible piece of Yellowstone’s recent history, all within a setting that feels quietly wild and largely free of vehicles. It’s a little-known way to see a side of the park that visitors seldom experience from a car. Plus, with the new road getting started in the next year or two, your time to enjoy this section is brief, making this a rare experience.
NEXT WEEK
In the next episode, I’ll return with all of the information you need to have a good week in the park, including wildlife, weather, and trail updates.
Until then, book a tour with me, pick up a guidebook of mine, and happy trails!
