Let’s cut to the chase: America’s national parks are the closest thing we’ve got to real-life magic portals. One minute, you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, stress-eating gas station nachos, and the next, you’re standing in a valley where geysers erupt like nature’s middle finger to monotony. Yellowstone, the OG national park is the crown jewel of this escapism.
But here’s the kicker: When you go matters way more than how you go. Show up in July? You’ll be elbow-deep in selfie sticks and sunscreen fumes. Roll in during November? You might have the park’s steaming hot springs all to yourself, along with a side of frostbite. Let’s break down the best, worst, and “are you serious?” seasons for Yellowstone so you can dodge the chaos and hear yourself think out there.