Yellowstone jacket advice!

I would be more concerned about sun protection than warmth in Yellowstone in August. You probably need a fleece in the evening and early morning, though, I guess. I'd be inclined to bring the lighter one. I say bring the rain jacket, as well (I never leave home without one). I assume you can wear the fleece under the rain jacket in case of extreme conditions.

Yes, I could wear the fleece under the rain jacket. And no worries, sunscreen is at the top of my list!

Mid- August is the height of summer, so even in places that see snow (like Jackson WY) and are "ski" areas, I'd think a simple three layer approach would work fine. A base layer (for me, short sleeve t-shirt), a mid layer (usually a lightweight long-sleeve cover), and a rain/wind proof shell. With temps from the 50s to the 80s, I'd be hard-pressed to go with anything heavier than that trio.

Looking back on a past trip when we were there in June, I am wearing exactly that combination, and in most photos, down to just the base layer or base + mid-layer (with jacket around my waist or slung over a backpack). And in the photos, we were crossing snow on the Jenny Lake trail in the Tetons, which should be melted by mid-August when you're there.

We did Yellowstone in the Summer about 3 years ago. We didn't need heavy jackets, it wasn't cold.

Are you camping? If so then you might need something like a nano puff in the early morning otherwise a fleece should be sufficient. During August it’s typically warm in that area….shorts, t-shirts, wide brimmed hat, sun screen and insect repellant. And as recommended, raincoat for afternoon thunderstorms.

It’s an average elevation of 7,000 feet, bring layers but snow clothes would be overkill. Have a great time, it’s a fascinating area with all the wildlife and geothermal area but be careful, stay on the boardwalks and oh and aah the wildlife from a distance!

Definitely not camping. And yes, my rain jacket comes everywhere with me.

Your Rain jacket.
Down Vest
Patagonia Nano Puff or similiar
Windbreaker
your Columbia Fleece jacket

We are in the mountains alot--we were just in Yellowstone in June. We live at elevation in Utah. Began the trip in shorts, next day it's freezing and I am wearing my Patagonia and Columbia down and fleece stuff. Anything can happen at Yellowstone or in the Tetons. Have a great trip.

If you don't like to be cold, and you have the room, I would make sure you have enough layers, just in case.

This past weekend we spent 2 days watching softball in 90 degree weather. Monday we watched another two games with slightly cooler temps, and yesterday we watched two baseball games where I had on a long sleeve shirt, a zippered hoodie, and another pullover hoodie over that. For the second game I added a blanket on my legs.

This was in Fargo and northern Minnesota, but I've experienced similar temperature swings in other northern states, and I've learned to be prepared.

I agree with the folks who vote gor the lighter weight jacket and your waterproof layer.

Do watch the forecast and adjust as needed. Go to weather.gov and put in Old Faithful Visitor and Education Center for a good forecast for the park interior.

I recommend bug dope too. Mosquitoes are s possibility as well as deer flies.

Once it is dark and the temps go down you are unlikely to be outside for any extended period of time. Thus heavy ," keep warm", clothing is not really needed. ( unless you plan to do a lot of star gazing)