Best time to visit Montana

July to September. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

July to September

Sources point to July to September for warm weather and open roads, with September called out for thinner crowds. December to March is the ski window.

“If you have your heart set on sunny, blue skies and warm weather, visit between July and September.” moonlightbasin.com
“July to September, meanwhile, is the best time for warm-weather activities and sunny skies.” travelandleisure.com
“From June through September, the weather is at its most reliable” starrynightlodging.com

5 of the 10 travel guides we read name these months.

Montana month by month

Average high and low in Billings, and days with rain

January36°F / 18°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…January is the coldest month, with an average low of 12 F.December and January are the snowiest months, and temperatures rarely pass 30 F in many areas.January and February are peak powder season at the ski resorts.
February39°F / 20°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…February is the least crowded winter month, between the Christmas rush and March skiers.A late-winter visit in February or March means more comfortable slope temperatures.Yellowstone winter wildlife watch
March49°F / 27°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…One Big Sky local picks March as the single best ski month, with more daylight and warmer afternoons.Spring break in mid-March is a peak for ski tourism.March still gets a lot of snow.
April57°F / 35°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Ski days can run well into April, with the season ending mid-to-late April.One source calls April the best month for Yellowstone, with mild weather and smaller crowds.Yellowstone snow often lasts through April, and park roads begin opening mid-April.
May67°F / 44°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…May can be muddy and unpredictable.Yellowstone is less crowded in May and June, which one hotel manager calls the secret season.Most Yellowstone park amenities open in May.
June77°F / 52°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…June weather averages 70 to 80 F, before summer tourism is in full swing.Early June is suggested for avoiding crowds.Going-to-the-Sun Road usually opens late June or early July (June 22 in 2026).
Best timeJuly87°F / 59°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…July is the busiest month in Yellowstone, with August close behind.Humidity rises to about 45 percent in July.July festivals include Under the Big Sky in Whitefish and the Flathead Cherry Festival in Polson.Bison rut in Lamar Valley
Best timeAugust86°F / 58°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…August festivals include the Sweet Pea Festival in Bozeman and the Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek.Regular wildfires often make the air hazy and hide mountain views.July and August welcome almost half of Yellowstone's annual visitors.Yellowstone Rod Run
Best timeSeptember74°F / 49°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…September is less crowded than July and August, and can be especially nice.Bozeman highs are in the low 70s, with fall color by mid-month.Yellowstone sees about half the visitors of July in September.
October59°F / 37°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…September through October suits photographers, with aspens, larches and the elk rut.Late October is the more likely time for snow in Yellowstone.Going-to-the-Sun Road stays open until around the third Monday in October.
November46°F / 27°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…Yellowstone seasonal services and many park roads close by the first days of November.November is very cold, with average temperatures of 42 to 50 F, and snowfall is high.November gets substantial snow, about 6.4 inches.
December36°F / 19°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…December is the snowiest month, with 9.6 inches expected.The ski season typically runs from early December through early April.December is a good month for winter sports and coincides with Christmas vacation.

Weather: Billings averages (1961 to 1990 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Bozeman from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

What's on in Montana

Festivals and seasons through the year

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

December to March and July to SeptemberWinter skiing and summer sun are the two high seasons.

Quietest

April to June and October to NovemberShoulder seasons with fewer crowds, though some businesses close.

Watch for

Spring and fallSome outfitters, hotels and tour operators close, so check opening dates.
July and AugustHeat above 100 F and wildfire haze.
WinterTricky roads and many non-tourist businesses closed.
Before late JuneGlacier's full Going-to-the-Sun Road is usually not open yet.
Any seasonWeather can change fast, so pack layers.

Questions people ask

What is the cheapest time to go to Montana?: Spring and fall shoulder seasons usually bring smaller crowds and lower rates, and February is the quietest high-season month.

More about Montana

Best Places to Visit in Montana19 places

Best time to visit Montana

July to September

Montana month by month

Every date to Bozeman from your city

What's on in Montana

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Montana

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit Montana

July to September

Montana month by month

Every date to Bozeman from your city

What's on in Montana

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Montana

Best time to visit other places