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Are you planning a trip to Yellowstone this summer and trying to pack? This list will help as I share with you the 10 items that most people forget to pack before visiting Yellowstone in summer.
Firstly I’ll clarify that this list applies for visits from May to September which is basically when all the main roads are open (or start to open) which is from May to September.
If you are planning to visit Yellowstone in winter, you will need a much more specific type of gear and to organise your trip in a very different way as self driving isn’t an option.
But if you are visiting between May and September, this is for you!
1. Guide Along App
This is by far the best app I’ve ever gotten while travelling. Guide Along is basically an audio driving tour app. You can get it here, you simply choose your park and then download it on your phone.
Once you enter your car, make sure your phone is connected to your speakers and it will start playing as you drive past specific points. It’s all geolocalised with the GPS so you don’t have to do anything.
I thought it was absolutely brilliant as the guide gives a lot of information and it helps understanding what you see and how everything works. He also gives you a lot of travelling tips which made our road trip a lot easier.
It’s definitely the best money I spent on that trip and really can’t recommend it enough.
See the Yellowstone tour here.
2. Hiking boots
There are loads of hiking trails in Yellowstone and if you want to do a hike, you will need hiking shoes or boots as the terrain can be a bit rough.
Regardless, even if you want to stick to the main bits and only do the boardwalks, I would still recommend good walking shoes as you’ll walk a fair bit and it will be more comfortable for your feet.
3. Sunblock
This is something I wasn’t expecting as I visited early in the season but the sun is strong! I also think that the reflection on the stones doesn’t help.
Whichever way, sunblock was more than necessary so I would recommend getting some before entering the park so you don’t end up spending a fortune for it.
4. Hat
Again, I wasn’t expecting the sun to be so strong but it really is and since it’s a mountainous area, you definitely can feel it on your head.
I would highly recommend taking a cap or a hat because you’ll appreciate it during the day.
Otherwise you’ll end up doing like me and running to the first store you find and get a merch cap!
5. A fleece or jumper
So, I know I just said that it was hot and the sun was strong and while it’s true, it can also be cold and windy in certain areas (Mount Washburn for example).
Also, it gets a lot colder in the evening so you will appreciate having a nice fleece or jumper.
6. Bear Spray
This one is a must-have when you explore Wyoming or Montana. Now, I know that if you stick to the main tourist bits, the chances of ending up facing a bear are slim but still.
There can be bears anywhere and the anxiety you get from the fear of ending up face to face with a bear is simply not worth not having the bear spray.
If you are going hiking, then you must have bear spray. Most of the hiking trails are empty and therefore quiet so the chances of encounters are a lot higher.
You can easily get it from any outdoor shop before coming to Yellowstone (remember you can’t fly with it though). If you don’t have any, ask the rangers in any of the visitor centers as they often have spare ones from visitors who left.
7. Reusable Water Bottle
Again, it can be quite hot during the day and you should keep yourself hydrated to the maximum. Remember this is a mountainous region and while it’s not the Himalayas, you can still get some altitude sickness and drinking water really helps.
One of the rangers also recommended Gatorade and I must admit, it helped a lot.
8. Binoculars
If there is one thing you’ll regret not having in Yellowstone, it’s a pair of binoculars. Seeing the wildlife is definitely one of the highlights of your trip and while it’s easy to spot bison, the rarer animals such as wolves or bears would require you to have binoculars.
It’s such a game changer and even a cheap pair will do.
9. Rain Jacket / Windbreaker
While it’s usually nice weather at this time of the year, you never know what you are going to get. Also, in certain areas such as Mount Washburn, it can be quite cold and windy so I find that a jacket is handy.
10. Bug Spray
There are quite a lot of bugs and mosquitoes in Yellowstone and if you are camping, it truly is an issue so make sure to get some bug spray. It will come handy at sunset and even sometimes during the day.
I hope this article was helpful and that you now feel more prepared to pack for your trip to Yellowstone in summer.
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