Jackson in July

July weather, activities, events & insider tips

July Weather in Jackson

32°C (90°F) High Temp

23°C (73°F) Low Temp

89 mm (3.5 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is July Right for You?

Advantages

Peak wildflower season in Yellowstone with lupines, Indian paintbrush, and bear grass creating spectacular meadow displays from valley floor to 2,400m (8,000ft) elevation
Wildlife viewing at its absolute best - bears are highly active foraging before berry season, elk calves are visible in meadows, and bison congregate in Lamar and Hayden valleys during cooler morning hours
All high-elevation trails and mountain passes are fully accessible after snow melt, including Avalanche Peak and Mount Washburn with 360-degree views of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Extended daylight hours with sunrise at 5:45am and sunset at 9:15pm provide 15+ hours for outdoor activities and photography

Considerations

Peak tourist season means parking lots fill by 8am at Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic, and popular trails like Artist Point have 45-60 minute waits for photo spots
Afternoon thunderstorms occur 60% of days between 2-5pm with lightning danger above treeline - outdoor activities must be planned for morning hours
Accommodation rates are 300-400% higher than shoulder season, with basic park lodges starting at $400-500/night and gateway town hotels at $250-350/night

Best Activities in July

Lamar Valley Wildlife Safari Tours

July is peak wildlife season when bears forage actively before berry season, wolf packs move with pups, and bison herds are most concentrated. Morning temperatures of 23°C (73°F) keep animals active until 10am before they seek shade. Rangers report 90% success rate for bear sightings in July compared to 40% in other months.

Booking Tip: Book guided wildlife tours 4-6 weeks ahead as July fills completely. Morning tours (6-11am) offer best animal activity and avoid afternoon crowds. Tours typically cost $150-250 per person for full-day experiences with transportation from gateway towns. Look for naturalist guides with spotting scopes.

Grand Prismatic Spring Photography Tours

July's intense UV index of 8 and dry conditions create the most busy thermophile bacterial mats around hot springs, producing brilliant orange, yellow, and green rings. Morning light between 7-9am provides best color saturation before afternoon crowds arrive. Elevated viewing platform offers Instagram-worthy shots impossible to get solo.

Booking Tip: Photography workshops book 8-10 weeks ahead for July. Early morning sessions (6:30-10am) avoid both crowds and afternoon thunderstorms. Expect to pay $200-350 for guided photography tours with professional instruction and prime positioning access.

Mount Washburn Summit Hikes

High elevation trails are fully snow-free by July, offering 360-degree views across the Yellowstone caldera. Wildflower displays peak at alpine elevations with rare species like alpine forget-me-nots. Clear weather occurs 70% of mornings before afternoon thunderstorms roll in at 2pm. Bighorn sheep frequent the summit area in July.

Booking Tip: Start hikes before 7am to complete the 9.6km (6-mile) roundtrip before afternoon lightning danger. Guided hiking groups cost $100-180 per person and provide safety expertise for high-altitude conditions. Self-guided hikers should carry lightning detection apps and turn back at first thunder.

Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Expeditions

July water temperatures of 15-18°C (59-64°F) create perfect conditions for cutthroat trout feeding. Afternoon thunderstorms trigger insect hatches, making evening fishing (6-9pm) exceptionally productive. Lower river sections remain fishable even during peak snowmelt, unlike unpredictable spring conditions.

Booking Tip: Book guided fishing 2-3 weeks ahead for prime July dates. Full-day guided trips cost $400-600 for 1-2 people including equipment and licenses. Morning trips (6am-2pm) avoid afternoon storms, while evening trips (3-9pm) offer better fishing after thunderstorms trigger hatches.

Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace Tours

Summer's dry conditions and high mineral concentration create the most dramatic terracing formations as spring flow concentrates. July heat enhances the steaming effect for dramatic photography. Elk congregate in the area during hot afternoons, seeking cooler microclimates around thermal features.

Booking Tip: Self-guided visits work well here, but geological tours cost $75-125 per person and provide fascinating thermal science education. Visit early morning (7-9am) or late evening (7-9pm) for best lighting and elk activity. Boardwalks are fully accessible and safe for all ages.

Hayden Valley Bison Watching Tours

July concentrates massive bison herds in Hayden Valley as they move to summer grazing areas. Calves born in spring are large enough for easy viewing but still playful and photogenic. Morning mist rising from the Yellowstone River creates mystical photography conditions before 8am temperature rises.

Booking Tip: Join ranger-led programs (free but arrive 30 minutes early for parking) or book private wildlife tours for $180-280 per person with professional guides who know herd movement patterns. Bring high-power binoculars or spotting scopes - animals maintain safe distances of 90m+ (100+ yards).

July Events & Festivals

July 1-4

Cody Stampede Rodeo

Professional rodeo competition in nearby Cody, Wyoming featuring bronc riding, bull riding, and barrel racing. Evening events complement Yellowstone day trips perfectly, offering authentic Western culture experience after park activities.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layered clothing system from 23°C (73°F) morning lows to 32°C (90°F) afternoon highs - pack base layers, insulating mid-layer, and waterproof outer shell

Lightning-detecting weather app and portable weather radio - afternoon thunderstorms create dangerous conditions above treeline from 2-5pm

SPF 50+ sunscreen and wide-brimmed hat - UV index of 8 at elevation causes severe burns within 15 minutes of unprotected exposure

Waterproof hiking boots rated for 16km+ (10+ miles) - trails can be muddy after thunderstorms and rocky at high elevations

Bear spray (purchase locally in gateway towns for $45-55) - required for backcountry hiking and recommended for all trail activities

High-quality rain jacket and pants - afternoon storms dump 25-50mm (1-2 inches) of rain in 30-45 minutes

Insulated water bottles holding 3+ liters - dehydration occurs rapidly at elevation with 70% humidity and intense UV exposure

Headlamp with extra batteries - early morning wildlife viewing starts before sunrise at 5:45am

Binoculars (8x42 minimum) - wildlife viewing distances require magnification for safety and photo opportunities

Cash for park entry and concessions - some locations have limited card payment options, daily passes cost $35

Insider Knowledge

Download the NPS Yellowstone app before arrival - it works offline and provides real-time road closures, animal sighting reports, and thermal feature updates that change daily

Purchase America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) if visiting any other national park within 12 months - pays for itself versus individual park entries

Park in overflow lots at major attractions and walk 800m-1.6km (0.5-1 mile) rather than circling for 45+ minutes looking for closer spots during peak hours

Bring US dollars in small bills - most park concessions and gateway town businesses prefer cash, and ATMs charge $3-5 fees with limited availability

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating afternoon thunderstorm danger - lightning kills 1-2 people annually in Greater Yellowstone, always descend from high elevations by 1pm

Approaching wildlife too closely - bison injure 1-2 visitors every July, maintain minimum 23m (25 yards) from bison and 90m (100 yards) from bears and wolves

Not making restaurant reservations in gateway towns - popular establishments book solid 2-4 weeks ahead during July peak season