Montana in Spring: A 3-Day Itinerary Based in Paradise Valley & Yellowstone
Spring arrives in stages in Paradise Valley and Yellowstone, which is part of what makes it worth planning around. Park roads open on a schedule, wildlife is on the move with new calves and cubs, and snowmelt fills the Yellowstone River.
This 3-day itinerary uses Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa as a base, around 30 miles from Yellowstone National Park's North Entrance. It works from March through May, with notes on what to expect as the park reopens, and it can be shortened to 2 days.
When Does Yellowstone Open in Spring?
The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner to Cooke City is open year-round, so you can reach Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley in any month. The rest of the park opens in stages once the winter season ends.
In 2026, the first regular-vehicle openings were on April 17, covering the West Entrance to Madison, Madison to Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris and Norris to Canyon Village. The East Entrance to Fishing Bridge and Canyon Village to Bridge Bay followed on May 1, the South Entrance to West Thumb and Tower-Roosevelt to Tower Fall on May 8, and Dunraven Pass on May 22.
Use those dates as a guide. Openings depend on weather, so check the park roads page for the current schedule before you plan each day.
Yellowstone in March, April and May
Each spring month feels different inside the park. In March, the North Entrance road is the main way in, and the oversnow season runs until between March 7 and March 15, 2027, depending on the route. In April, the first regular-vehicle openings begin, and in May more of the park opens, including routes from the East and South Entrances.
If you are planning around a specific part of the park, such as Old Faithful or Dunraven Pass, check the opening date first and build your second day around it.
Spring in Paradise Valley: What to Expect
Spring brings cooler, comfortable daytime temperatures, so layers work best. Waterfalls run high with snowmelt, Yellowstone is less crowded than in summer, and the pools at Chico stay hot year-round. Pack a swimsuit, warm layers and waterproof boots, since trails and parking areas can be wet or muddy. Our spring guide covers more of what the season looks like in the valley.
Day 1: Arrive, Soak and Settle In
Afternoon: Check In and Soak
Choose from the Historic Main Lodge, cabins and other places to stay at Chico, then head to the hot springs. The two open-air pools are supplied by 100% natural geothermal water, with the large pool averaging 96°F and the small pool averaging 103°F. Resort guests can soak from 7am to 11pm.
Where to Stay
Chico has been welcoming guests since the Chico Warm Springs Hotel opened in 1900, and the stay options still reflect that history. The Historic Main Lodge places you at the center of the resort's century-old story, while the cabins and larger accommodations give you more space in the same Paradise Valley setting.
Evening: Dinner in the Historic Dining Room
Dinner is served daily from 5pm to 9pm in the Historic Dining Room, with seasonal, scratch-made menus that draw on local ingredients and produce from Chico's gardens and geothermally heated greenhouses. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Day 2: Yellowstone in Spring
Morning: Drive to the North Entrance
Head north through Paradise Valley to the North Entrance at Gardiner, then follow the year-round road toward Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley. If your trip falls after mid-April, check whether the road from Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris has opened, since it adds more of the park to your day.
Midday: Watch for Wildlife
Spring is a rewarding time for wildlife. Bison and elk graze in Lamar Valley, and Yellowstone's animals have new young, including calves and cubs. Bring binoculars and stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other wildlife.
Evening: Spa Time and a Soak
Back at Chico, book a treatment at the Day Spa and follow it with a soak. Treatments include massage and facials, and you can pair a massage with time in the pools. Check the seasonal specials and call 406-333-4553 to book.
For dinner, keep it casual at the Chico Saloon, where food is served until 9pm and local artists play on weekends and select nights.
A Slower Day 2 at Chico
If the weather turns or you want a quieter day, you can spend day two at the resort instead. Start with a soak, book a treatment at the Day Spa, walk the gardens and settle in at the Chico Saloon for the afternoon.
Day 3: Trails, the River and Livingston
Morning: Hike, Fish, Raft or Ride
Hiking season begins as lower-elevation trails dry out, and early-season trails offer more solitude. The Ranch 635 trails on Chico's property have miles of routes with valley views.
Snowmelt also fills the Yellowstone River, and Chico's spring guide notes that anglers come for rainbow and brown trout. If you would rather enjoy a horseback ride, check the Horse Barn for spring availability.
If you would rather be on the water, guided rafting is another way to see the Yellowstone River in spring. Outfitters based in Gardiner, including Paradise Adventure Company and Yellowstone Raft Company, run whitewater trips and scenic floats. Spring water runs higher and rougher, so a scenic float is the gentler choice for a relaxed morning. Trip dates depend on conditions, so check availability and minimum ages with the outfitter before you book.
Afternoon: Explore Livingston
Livingston is a short drive from Paradise Valley, with boutiques, bookstores, galleries and museums along its downtown streets. For lunch, head to The Fainting Goat Pub on North Main Street, an Irish-themed pub with lunch, dinner, and late-night menus. It’s an easy stop between shops and galleries, so you can eat, then keep walking the downtown blocks.
Evening: A Last Soak
Return to Chico for one more soak before you head home. Have breakfast in the Historic Dining Room the next morning, served Monday to Saturday from 7:30am to 10:30am and on Sundays enjoy a Sunday Brunch, with an elevated buffet menu and a complimentary mimosa for those 21+.
[Explore Things to Do at Chico]
Plan Your Spring Stay at Chico
A spring stay at Chico pairs Yellowstone days with slower ones in Paradise Valley. The geothermal pools, the Historic Dining Room, the Day Spa and the wider setting are in one place, so you can fit the park around your own pace.
See the current offers before you book, and review each offer's inclusions and dates.
Plan Your Spring Stay at Chico Hot Springs
Yellowstone in Spring FAQs
When does Yellowstone open in spring?
The North Entrance road to Cooke City is open all year. In 2026, the first regular-vehicle openings elsewhere in the park were on April 17, with others following through May 22. Dates depend on weather, so check the park roads page for the current schedule.
Is Yellowstone open in March?
Yes, through the North Entrance. The road from Gardiner to Cooke City is open all year, and the 2026-27 oversnow season for snowcoaches and snowmobiles runs until between March 7 and March 15, 2027, depending on the route. Most other park roads open to regular vehicles from mid-April.
Can you drive into Yellowstone from the North Entrance in spring?
Yes. The North Entrance road is the park's year-round route, and it leads to Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction, Lamar Valley and Cooke City.
Are Chico's hot springs open in spring?
Yes. The two open-air pools are open daily, year-round, and resort guests can soak from 7am to 11pm, with access included in their stay.
Is spring a good time to see wildlife in Yellowstone?
Spring is a rewarding time for wildlife. Bison and elk graze in Lamar Valley, and animals have new young, including calves and cubs. Stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other wildlife.
How far is Chico Hot Springs from Yellowstone's North Entrance?
Chico is in Paradise Valley, around 30 miles from the North Entrance at Gardiner.