Yellowstone Fall of 2025

Yellowstone – Fall 2025

My daughter Lauren and I set out on a 7-day National Park road trip to Yellowstone, Glacier, and the Grand Tetons. It was a last-minute plan, so we stayed outside the parks—most lodging was 20–30 minutes from the entrances. In park stays usually need to be book well in advance and ran $450–$750 a night.

I flew into Salt Lake City early (6:30 a.m.), and we made the 4-hour drive to Yellowstone, giving us plenty of time to explore on Day 1. Yellowstone truly feels like four parks in one—Geyser Country, Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and Lamar Valley. We managed to see three of the four areas in just two days.

Fall (we went the third week of September) was an incredible time to visit—cool weather, fewer crowds, and changing leaves. For ideal timing, I’d suggest the second week of September, kids are in school but before seasonal closures begin.

Lodging

We stayed in a glamping tent at Starlight Lodge, about 20 minutes from West Yellowstone. Comfortable beds, but no heat, A/C, or TV—just lamps and phone chargers. Shared restrooms (with showers) were a short walk away. The friendly staff offered free coffee and water, and each night guests gathered for s’mores by the fire pit—a cozy touch. https://starlightretreat.com/ 

Favorite Eats – West Yellowstone

• Wild West Pizzeria – 8/10 🍕 Great pizza and fun vibe. wildwestpizza.com

• Bear Country Bakery – 7/10 ☕️ Decent coffee, amazing pastries. bear-country-bakery.restaurants-world.com

• Yellowstone Beer Co. – 9/10 🍺 Loved the food, beer, and atmosphere. yellowstonebeercompany.com

• Buffalo Bar – 10/10 🌟 A must-do! Excellent food, fun crowd, and to-go cocktails. Book ahead or try the back patio. thebuffalobar.com

• Espresso West – 8/10 🚚 Cute coffee truck for quick morning fuel. espressowestwy.com

Top Trip Tips

• Plan your visit around must-see spots, not pre-made itineraries.

• Lamar Valley is best at dawn or dusk for wildlife—though we did spot a grizzly midday and the Bison were plentiful.

• Old Faithful is a must for most—check eruption times and explore nearby trails and the visitor center.

• Grand Prismatic Spring can be fogged over by steam; try the Fairy Falls Overlook Trail for a better view.

• Don’t miss the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone—its waterfalls and colorful canyon walls are breathtaking.

• Animals seen Grizzly Bear, Bison, and Elk 

• Great Sunset Spot on the way out of the park is Madison River Area. 

• Be patient on the two-lane park roads, and expect limited cell service.