What to Bring on a Summer Trip to West Yellowstone

From soaring mountain peaks to meandering rivers, Yellowstone has hundreds of places to immerse yourself in nature. While this wealth of natural attractions makes planning your trip to Yellowstone easy, it might make deciding what to pack harder. Luckily, by planning ahead and following this Yellowstone packing list for summer, you can ensure you have everything you need for a vacation that's just as spectacular as the scenery surrounding you.

Yellowstone Clothing Packing List

Yellowstone's elevation causes sunny days in the 70's and cooler nights that can go below freezing, even in the summer. By packing layers, you can stay comfortable throughout the day and night. Some specific items to bring include:

• Insulating underwear: Choose an option that can wick away moisture to keep you cool in the midday heat and warm during the colder nights.
• Mid-weight jacket: Jackets such as light fleeces or wool pullovers can add extra warmth or serve as your primary outerwear as the mornings warm up.
• Heavy jacket: While it may seem silly to pack your winter coat for a summer trip, temperatures can still drop quite low, especially in May, June, September and October. 
• Windproof clothing: The winds in Yellowstone can get strong, especially at higher elevations, so it is important to bring a pair of wind pants and a jacket.
• Hats: Pack a hat with a brim to keep out the sun during the day and a beanie to keep warm at night.
• Gloves: Packing a pair of gloves can help keep your hands warm as you move around the campsite at night, and you can bring a pair of mittens for sleeping.
• Socks: Wet socks can quickly become uncomfortable, so you will want to pack multiple pairs made of wool, which wicks moisture and prevents blisters.
• Footwear: The shoes you bring will depend on your activities, but you will want all pairs of shoes to have a good tread to provide stability and comfort.
• Sunglasses: Keep your eyes safe from harsh UV rays by packing a pair of sunglasses. 
• Raincoat: Rain showers and thunderstorms can randomly occur — especially when visiting Yellowstone in July, which is peak thunderstorm season. Having a raincoat on hand can help you stay dry. 

Equipment for Visiting Yellowstone in the Summer

Once you have all your clothing set, you will also need to pack the right equipment. Some essential items include:

• A backpack
• Water bottle
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Camera
• Binoculars

Book Your Summer Vacation to Yellowstone!

One of the best ways to make the most of your trip to Yellowstone is to book a stay at a campground nearby. Just minutes away from the park, Yellowstone Park / Mountainside KOA Journey is the perfect place to stay while taking in all of Yellowstone's natural splendor. The campground offers multiple ways to camp, and some sites are pet-friendly, so your furry friend can join in on the camping action. Make the most of your summer vacation to Yellowstone by booking a stay at Yellowstone Park / Mountainside KOA Journey today!