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Steaming hot springs and geysers. Cozy lodges with roaring fireplaces. Thick blankets of snow on rolling mountains. While most people tend to think of Yellowstone National Park in its green, summertime beauty, Yellowstone is a fantastic — and entirely different — place to visit in the winter.

Temperatures plummet, snow accumulates by the foot, and wildlife flock to the valleys and thermal basins to escape the worst of winter. Old Faithful may be arguably even more magical erupting through the snow, and wolves travel across the white tundra— Yellowstone is just as alive as in the summer!

Sure, it’s tough to get around, but that’s half the fun isn’t it? Conditions require extra preparation and grit, but there are snowmobiles, snowcoaches, and plenty of adventure to be had in this pristine winter wonderland.

Visiting Yellowstone in winter is one of the quietest, most beautiful, and most peaceful ways to experience the world’s first national Park. So let’s dive in and discover the best things to do in Yellowstone in the winter!

Psst: Looking for more National Parks to explore? We LOVE exploring National Parks so have a lot of posts you can check out to plan your next trip. Get them all here or here are some of our favorites.

Psst: If you’re planning to visit multiple parks this year, we recommend picking up an America is Beautiful National Parks Pass. The pass is valid at over 2,000 National Parks and 10% of the sale proceeds are donated to the National Park Foundation, helping to keep our parks beautiful! The average cost of admission to a National Park is $35, which means that the pass quickly pays for itself after just a few visits. AND you are supporting the National Park Foundation. Win/win! You can pick up a pass online at REI or in person at any National Park.

Hey, need a handy dandy checklist to help you pack? We’ve got a printable cold weather packing list that includes EVERYTHING you’ll need for your trip. Sign up in the box below and we’ll deliver it right to your inbox. Just call us the fairy godmother of packing lists!

Things to Know about Yellowstone in Winter

Yellowstone is a huge park, covering 2.2 million acres and spanning across northwestern Wyoming into Montana and Idaho. So there’s a lot to know while planning your trip! And even if you’ve been in the summer, Yellowstone is a whole different beast in the winter. Below, we’ve rounded up some winter-specific tips to help you plan.

You can’t just drive in

Well, for the most part. Beginning in October, most of Yellowstone’s roads close for the season. By the time there’s a healthy blanket of snow covering the park in mid-December, most of Yellowstone’s roads are groomed for snowcoach and snowmobile travel. 

Three of Yellowstone’s five entrance stations require over-snow travel to get into the park. Another is completely inaccessible from outside the park. Yellowstone receives so much snow that plows simply can’t keep up.

The only road that does get plowed is the stretch from the North Entrance to the Northeast Entrance (from Gardiner to Cooke City). 

Which means in order to explore the rest of Yellowstone, you’ve got to travel over the snow — by snowmobile, snowcoach, snowshoe, or ski.

Roads can close at any time

Just because a road is scheduled to be open doesn’t mean it will be. For example, the road between Cooke City and Gardiner is supposed to be open all year, but sudden storms, sketchy conditions, and whiteouts can close the road on a dime.

Even the biggest snow plows and most experienced drivers are no match for Yellowstone’s unpredictable weather. Check the park’s website before planning any trips over plowed park roads, and check road closures when driving outside of the park, too. 

Depending on where you’re staying and traveling, you can check Montana’s or Wyoming’s transportation websites for up-to-date conditions. 

Yellowstone is a high-elevation park

Elevations range from around 5,000 feet to more than 11,000 feet in Yellowstone National Park (though you won’t be traveling up to those highest peaks in the winter, unless you’re like, a professional mountaineer). 

If you’re coming from sea level (or close to it), you might feel the impacts of elevation, especially when you’re skiing, snowshoeing, or walking around. The dry mountain air can add to the effect.

The best ways to combat a possible negative reaction with altitude are to stay hydrated and save high-energy activities for later in your trip, after you’ve had a chance to acclimate.

It’s really cold and snowy

As mentioned above (and will be mentioned again), Yellowstone National Park is cold in the winter. Typically, winter days range from 0-20℉. The average snowfall in the park is about 150 inches, but the higher elevations can get twice that.

This isn’t the oops-I-forgot-my-mittens, I-don’t-actually-need-to-zip-my-jacket cold — it’s really freakin’ cold. Here’s a fun fact: The lowest recorded temperature in Yellowstone was on February 9, 1933, near the West Entrance — the thermometer read -66 degrees Fahrenheit. 

But don’t let that deter you! It sure gets cold and snowy, but it’s usually not that cold. Simply put, winter in Yellowstone is everything winter should be. If you pack and dress well, you should be plenty comfortable.

Cell service is spotty, so take precautions

Not only may cell service be spotty, but the cold might zap your phone battery (you’ll definitely want to keep it buried as deep in your layers as possible). That’s Yellowstone in winter for ya! 

Knowing this, prepare ahead of time as much as possible. If you are driving yourself into the park, print directions ahead of time. Come through, Google Maps!

The same goes for knowing where and when to meet any tours or guides, making reservations for dining, and knowing details like hotel check-in times. Basically, don’t expect to be able to look up any information you need on the fly. It never hurts to have all this info in a Google Doc that you can access offline (which is, incidentally, one of our go-to travel planning tips)!

If you’re traveling on a tour, like a snowcoach or snowmobile day trip, your guides will know the park like the back of their hand, so you can sit back and leave the navigation to the pros.

However, if you decide to go for an independent adventure (via snowshoe, cross-country ski, or car), take extra precautions. If you’re headed on any trails, let someone know where you’re going: leave a plan with your hotel, leave a note on your windshield, or, if nothing else, let a trusted friend or family member know which trail you’re heading for and that you’ll let them know when you’re back at your hotel.

It may seem extreme, but Yellowstone is extreme, and it’s not hard to get lost on unfamiliar, snowy trails.

When is Winter in Yellowstone?

December, January, and February are all excellent months for winter travel in Yellowstone. While snow can fall any month of the year and winter can creep in as early as October, the true winter travel season in Yellowstone doesn’t start until mid-December. 

In order to operate the snowcoaches and snowmobiles that make park travel possible, a thick layer of snow is necessary, which means that the park can’t open to oversnow traffic until lots of snow has fallen. 

In mid-March, the park closes roads to over-snow travel so they can start the long and difficult process of plowing the roads for summer traffic.

Visiting Yellowstone anytime between mid-December and mid-March pretty much guarantees you’ll get the full winter experience. 

A holiday trip in late December is a fantastic time to visit the park, though travel may be pricier. If you’re willing to splurge, you can count on it being festive, snowy, and beautiful.

How to get to Yellowstone in the Winter

Traveling to and around Yellowstone in the winter is no joke, especially if you’re doing so in the middle of a mountain blizzard. Depending on where you’re traveling from, you might drive right to a park entrance or fly to a nearby town.

Yellowstone National Park has five entrances, but only four of them are directly accessible in the winter. Entering the park through three of these entrances requires snowmobile or snowcoach travel. Only the North Entrance, near Gardiner, Montana, is open to wheeled vehicles year-round. 

The closest airports to Yellowstone National Park are in Bozeman, Montana, and Jackson, Wyoming. (Psst: check out our guides to Jackson Hole in the winter and this awesome 10-day Montana road trip itinerary, too!)

From the North

If you’re staying near the North Entrance or Gardiner, Montana, fly into Bozeman Yellowstone Airport (BZN). From there you can rent a car and drive to the North Entrance, or catch a shuttle to the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel in Yellowstone.

From the South

If you’re staying in Jackson or near the south entrance of Yellowstone, you’ll want to fly into the Jackson Hole Airport (JAC).

Visiting Yellowstone from Jackson means you’ll also get to see Grand Teton National Park, which sits between the town of Jackson and Yellowstone National Park. It adds some time to your journey, but this breathtaking mountain range is worth your time.

Once in Jackson, you can rent a car for exploring the area, but you won’t be able to drive into Yellowstone. For your Yellowstone excursion (be it a day trip or a multi-day trip), you’ll need to make reservations with a snowcoach or snowmobile guide to get into the park (more on that below!).

From the East or West

You can also enter the park through the east or west entrance stations, though both require a guided over-snow vehicle shuttle.

West Yellowstone, Montana, outside the park’s west entrance, has plenty to see and do, though the airport (WYS) doesn’t currently operate in the winter.

Cody, Wyoming, outside the park’s east entrance, is about 50 miles from the park. While it’s truly an authentic Wild West town with tons of attractions, museums, and outdoor activities, it’s not the most convenient location for park access, especially in the winter. Flights are limited, with just a couple each day in the winter.

Things to Do In Yellowstone in Winter

You might have the impression that with all of the road closures, freezing temperatures, and difficulty getting around, there isn’t much to do in Yellowstone in the winter. Well, that is definitely not the case. 

Many of Yellowstone’s main attractions — wildlife, geysers, and hot springs — are very much part of the winter experience. Plus, with all of the snow and ice, the scenery (and opportunities for snowshoeing and skiing) add to the magic.

Here are our favorite things to do in Yellowstone in the winter: 

Snowshoe or Cross-Country Ski in a Winter Wonderland

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are the two ways to get around Yellowstone in the winter by foot. If you’re not piloting a snowmobile or nestled warm and snug in the back of a snowcoach, skis and snowshoes are your only hope of getting anywhere when there are five feet of snow on the ground.

You can also sign up for completely guided excursions via ski or snowshoe, which are a great idea for beginners.

Oh, and don’t worry if you don’t have your own gear — rentals (and lessons) are available at both Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful!

You can ski or snowshoe basically anywhere you want in the park, but there are some precautions to keep in mind:

• First, if you’re inexperienced at skiing, snowshoeing, or just… winter in general, you should stay on groomed trails. The park service grooms lots of trails near Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Canyon Village, Lamar Valley, Tower, and West Yellowstone. There are miles of groomed trails that make skiing or snowshoeing a lot easier and safer!
• If you ski or snowshoe off trail, you’ll have the difficult task of setting the trail in the fluffy, deep snow. Unlike skiing on a pre-set, packed, groomed trail, you’ll likely be sinking into the snow a little more as it compresses underneath you. It can be a really fun and adventurous way to enjoy the winter landscape, but it’s a lot more exhausting than skiing or snowshoeing on a groomed trail. 
• If you’re exploring thermal areas, always stay on the groomed trails. In a thermal basin, you never know how solid the ground is or when a geyser might spew. In general, it’s a good idea to stick to the groomed trails if you are at all worried about getting lost. In a blizzard, your tracks will fill in a flash, and retracing your steps can quickly become impossible.
• Depending on where you’re staying in the park, getting to the trailheads can be half the excitement. The park concessionaire offers skier shuttles to some of the more popular areas that you can take independently — shuttles service Mammoth area trails and Old Faithful area trails, and if you have a car, you can access Tower area trails on your own. 

Snowmobile Through the Park

Snowmobiling isn’t just a practical way to get around in cold, snowy destinations— and one of the only ways to get around Yellowstone in the winter — it’s also a ton of fun.

Imagine piloting your own big-kid sled past forests, hot springs, and herds of bison, all with an actual steering system. (Remember trying to “steer” a sled as a kid, but actually just having to bail before hitting a tree? Steering a snowmobile is much easier.)

But you might be wondering what snowmobiles are doing in Yellowstone National Park. It is a national park after all, and snowmobiles are usually loud, noisy, generally un-peaceful machines – do they disturb the wildlife or harm the environment?

Snowmobiles were first allowed in the park in the 1960s in a bid to increase winter visitation, and at the time, there wasn’t much oversight or thought to their impact on the climate or wildlife. But when park purists and environmentalists began speaking up about concerns over noise and air pollution, the National Park Service had to come up with a compromise.

Today, the Park Service limits the number of snowmobilers in the park on any given day. Any snowmobile coming into the park needs to have a “BAT” (Best Available Technology) rating, meaning they adhere to strict noise, emission, and environmental standards. 

There are two ways to snowmobile into Yellowstone National Park — either with an authorized concessionaire, or through the Non-commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program (N-CGSAP for… short?). The former is what the majority of people do, especially those without snowmobile experience and extensive knowledge of the area. It’s also what we recommend to you! 

There are several experienced outfitters to choose from, all licensed to operate within Yellowstone. The biggest factor in choosing a guide is the location/park entrance where they’re based. You’ll want to choose a tour operator with trips departing near where you’re staying.

Here are a few options from the different entrances:

South Entrance (near Jackson, Wyoming)

• Scenic Safaris: Based in Jackson, Wyoming, Scenic Safaris offers all kinds of trips in both winter and summer. They guide two snowmobile trips into Yellowstone – one to Old Faithful and one to the Canyon area. 
• Old Faithful Snowmobile Tours: This family-run business has been guiding snowmobile trips from Jackson Hole since 1987. You’ll start the day driving with your guide from Jackson to the southern entrance of Yellowstone, where you’ll hop on snowmobiles and see highlights around Old Faithful. 

West Entrance (near West Yellowstone, Montana)

• Backcountry Adventures: This company is a great option for those staying in West Yellowstone. Friendly, experienced guides lead daily trips to Old Faithful and Canyon Village. The owner, a second generation Montanan, is also a former West Yellowstone’s mayor!
• Yellowstone Vacations: Also located in West Yellowstone, this highly-rated outfit runs custom and daily snowmobile tours to Old Faithful. Daily tours depart West Yellowstone at 8:00 AM and return around 5:00 PM, so gear up for a full day of fun!

East Entrance (near Cody, Wyoming)

• Gary Fales Outfitting: This outfit in Cody, Wyoming, offers day trips and overnights. A day trip gives you the chance to see either Old Faithful or the Canyon area, and you’ll see gorgeous scenery on either trip. The overnight trips are either one or two nights and showcase both the park’s upper and lower loops.

See the Sights on a Snowcoach Ride

Riding a snowcoach is definitely the comfiest, coziest way to get around Yellowstone in the winter. So what’s a snowcoach, you ask? 

Picture a large van propped up on either tracks (like a snowmobile) or giant, low-pressure tires. A snowcoach is designed to drive over the thick layers of snow that accumulate on Yellowstone roads.

They’re fun to ride in, and great for wildlife watching. You don’t have to worry about the wind whipping your hair or snowflakes stinging your eyes. 

Snowcoaches are a pretty amazing way to travel over snow-covered roads, but they can’t go nearly as fast as a regular car or bus. Snowcoach travel is slow and scenic! 

There are lots of options for snowcoach operators and tours, all of which are authorized concessionaires of Yellowstone National Park. You can take a tour for the day from one of Yellowstone’s gateway towns, or you can take a snowcoach shuttle to lodging or attractions within the park. There are also daily snowcoach shuttles that run between Mammoth and Old Faithful.

While there aren’t any snowcoach tours or shuttles available from the east entrance, you can find them at the south, west, and north entrances. Here are the operators based at each entrance: 

South

• Scenic Safaris: This company offers tons of tours year-round, including a shuttle and day trips to Yellowstone, including tours from Jackson to Old Faithful, with some other fantastic stops along the way.
• Teton Science Schools: The only non-profit wildlife tour operator in town, Teton Science Schools offers expert-led trips with a heavy focus on wildlife. These tours are definitely some of the most educational excursions you’ll find, with knowledgeable naturalists leading the way.

West

• Yellowstone Expeditions: Based in West Yellowstone, Yellowstone Expeditions is a family-owned business offering tours, private charters, shuttles, and skier and snowshoer drop-offs. Daily tours go to either Old Faithful or the Canyon area. 
• Yellowstone Vacations: In addition to snowmobile tours, Yellowstone Vacations offers snowcoach tours from their West Yellowstone Location. Departing daily to Old Faithful and Canyon, both tours offer chances to see wildlife and a variety of thermal features.
• Backcountry Adventures: This family-run company out of West Yellowstone offers snowcoach tours in addition to snowmobile tours. Choose either Old Faithful or Canyon as your destination, or customize a trip to your liking. 

North

• Yellowstone Vacations: This operator, based in West Yellowstone, Montana, also runs tours out of Gardiner, Montana. If you’re staying near the park’s north entrance, you can hop on one of these tours (to Canyon or Old Faithful) instead. 

Go Wolf Watching in Lamar Valley

Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley is considered by many to be the best place in the world to see wolves in the wild, and winter is undoubtedly the best time of year to see them. 

Wolves disappeared (ahem… were hunted, trapped, and killed) from Yellowstone in the 1920s. Considered by many to be a troublesome and dangerous predator, especially in the ranching communities that surround Yellowstone National Park, a government-sponsored “wolf extermination program” led to the near extinction of wolves in the lower 48 states. 

But without wolves, other mammal populations (mainly elk) exploded, leading to overgrazing and other unexpected ecological impacts that changed natural dynamics with Yellowstone National Park.

In 1994, a plan crafted by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the Rocky Mountain states was put into actio