Yellowstone's Winter Wonderland
Traveling through Yellowstone in winter, you will find a unique wonderland. Imagine steamy landscapes, partially frozen waterfalls, ice cones around geysers, and abundant wildlife working to survive. Along rivers, bald eagles perch in trees - watching and waiting to swoop down on their next meal. In meadows, coyotes pounce face first into the snow for a tasty lunch. Bison swing their heads side to side clearing snow in search of food. Perhaps the best part of a Yellowstone winter visit is the quiet.
By early December, the park's summer roads are normally buried with fallen snow. Just before mid-December, that snow is groomed for over-snow travel. Then, wheeled vehicles are not allowed in and, in fact, would get quite stuck! From mid-December to mid-March, guided tours by snowcoach and snowmobile carry visitors into a vast winter wonderland where, unlike summer, humans are a minority.
Guided Snowcoach Tours
See Yellowstone in winter from heated snowcoaches. They pick you up right at your vacation rental cabin at Faithful Street Inn and carry you into Yellowstone's winter landscape. Knowledgeable, local guides make plenty of stops throughout the day for photographing wildlife, walking around geyser basins, and interpreting the winter landscape. Arrive back to West Yellowstone just in time for dinner.
Guided Snowmobile Tours
Or, tour Yellowstone National Park’s groomed trails by snowmobile with an experienced park guide. Before heading into Yellowstone in winter, suit up in cold weather gear to protect you from the elements. Heated handgrips and foot warmers help keep your fingers warm as you ride through a landscape full of wonder. Along the trail, stop to view wildlife, steaming pools, and gorgeous scenery. Then, grab a hot cup of cocoa or coffee at a warming hut and warm up by a fire. Arrive back to West Yellowstone just in time for dinner.
Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access
Most travel through Yellowstone in winter is guided-only, but a lucky few riders can access the park each day on the Non-commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program. Spend time photographing in one area. Or, park your sled and cross country ski on one of the many park trails.
