It appears the crowds were not bad this time of year?
The crowds were not too bad really, but lodging in the park was not as available as it was in mid-August. Tour buses were filling every room now (late Sept).
For late September, things were starting to shut down. Tour buses filled every room at the Old Faithful Inn, and all the other lodging was filled also. So we stayed at Madison campground, but checked in by early afternoon. The O.F. Inn closes in about 10 days, the gas station at O.F. closes in 2 weeks, the Madison campground is open until mid October. There is lodging, fuel, food at West Yellowstone year around, it is 15 miles west of Madison campground and only 30 miles from Old Faithful. If there is not an early heavy snowfall the Park roads stay open thru the first week of November, but there is no loding, fuel, etc. By then the empty roads are all yours!!
