Community Forums

gotahavit · 07-26-2021, 05:59 PM

How late in the fall is to late to travel west to the mountains and national parks. Wondering about road closers and parks. I was thinking September would be chancing it for snow.

Hurricane-TX · 07-26-2021, 06:24 PM

When do campgrounds close in the area you want to visit?

amosnandy · 07-26-2021, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotahavit

How late in the fall is to late to travel west to the mountains and national parks. Wondering about road closers and parks. I was thinking September would be chancing it for snow.

Earliest I ever hit snow east of western Montana was the first week in October. And Only once. Until you get west of Yellowstone, you may get a few snow squalls, but not much to worry about.

I did sit through 14 inches of snow in Spokane Washington one time in early October.

Busskipper · 07-26-2021, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotahavit

How late in the fall is to late to travel west to the mountains and national parks. Wondering about road closers and parks. I was thinking September would be chancing it for snow.

Last fall we spent in the Mountains of Colorado and the Black hills - Most of September and all of October - IMHO that is the best time of the Year!

Aspen turn - If you are really lucky you might just see some Snow - BUT - it usually melts before Lunch.

If you search and are lucky - say Independence Pass and Cottonwood Pass might bless you with a little Snow.

November better chance but still melts pretty quickly, except at the Highest elevations - Use a good Snow Cam to see what is going on - https://www.aspensnowmass.com/our-mo.../mountain-cams

If I were you I'd just go then you will see wha I mean.

Best of Luck,

DandyDon · 07-26-2021, 09:14 PM

We spend September through late October in northeast Montana, about 15 miles south of the Canadian Border. Not in the mountains but we've had snow as early as mid September, but that's very rare. Mid to late October can be cold and windy or balmy and beautiful. A bit of a crapshoot, but usually it's fine.

twogypsies · 07-26-2021, 11:36 PM

We've been to Yellowstone the end of September. Nice weather but then, you know how weather can change. Take your chances.

bigchick · 07-27-2021, 08:02 AM

we love to travel 'the west' in sept or early oct. we like to book a week outside of durango at the end of sept when the aspens are in color. so far no weather problems. the higher elevations might be different.