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Posted by Granite Head (128.135.130.142) on 06:12:59 05/13/2008
In Reply to: Visit and Crowds posted by Dolores
I think the PATTERN of visitation is the same as it always has been, and at the end of September-early October you will nearly have the park to yourself. Remember that most of the accommodations and other services are closed, so that automatically limits the number of people to those who stay in the gateway communities. I think you'll find it's as peaceful as it ever has been then. And of course, kids are back in school, not much by way of families with kids or college students around!
If you don't like crowds in winter, stay away from the wolf-watching pullouts in Lamar Valley. And now, of course, there are limits on the number of snow mobiles that can come into the park each day, and sno-mos must travel in guided groups, so that contains on the activity on the roads. The Upper Geyser Basin/Old Faithful area is busy, of course, but not like it is in the summer when people can come and go freely. The Mammoth hotel is open in winter, as I'm sure you know, but the cabins are closed and I believe the campground is too, or at least, there aren't a whole lotta tent campers, so that considerably reduces the number of people around.
I hope that reas sures you. I would never miss an opportunity to go to Yellowstone because of crowds. I've been in July, about the most crowded month, and the only places that were really bad were the main attractions, Canyon, the geyser basins, etc. A few hundred yards away from the road on any trail (except the super popular ones like Fairy Falls) and you have the place nearly to yourself.
Have a great time, and post a trip report for us when you get back :-)
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