Yellowstone in Winter: What You Need to Know Before You Go
Thinking about a visit to Yellowstone National Park in the winter? Prepare for small crowds (but lots of wolf watchers!) and magical views of America’s first national park under a blanket of white, sparkling snow.
Visiting Yellowstone in the winter is a magical time of year, and you’ll be visiting a true winter wonderland. In fact, ‘wonderland’ was the name given to Yellowstone before it was a national park and is still a nickname used today!
During our winter trip to Yellowstone, we snowmobiled next to a herd of bison. We had front-row viewing access to an Old Faithful eruption. We spent an hour observing a red fox hunting, eating, and napping right off the road. We saw wolves and a hibernating bear—and we soaked in warm hot springs at the base of a mountain after a day of happily exploring in below-freezing temperatures.
Visiting Yellowstone is one of the grandest ways to enjoy the winter season (and the winter season is one of the grandest ways to see Yellowstone 😉). And as just about everyone told us, once you see Yellowstone through snow-capped mountains and frost-covered bison, you won’t want to see it any other way.
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The Cliffs Notes
We recommend booking your Yellowstone winter trip for February. Spend 3 nights in West Yellowstone or at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and 3 or 4 nights in Gardiner, MT, near Yellowstone’s North Entrance. If you have an early flight, spend the night before your flight in Bozeman, MT.
Here’s our suggested itinerary:
Day 1: Flight to Bozeman, Rent a car, Drive to West Yellowstone
Day 2: Snowmobile Tour to Yellowstone Canyon
Day 3: Snowcoach Tour to Old Faithful
Day 4: Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, Drive to Gardiner
Day 5: Drive from Gardiner through Yellowstone’s North Entrance to Cooke City
Day 6: Snowshoe Tour & Wildlife Watching along Yellowstone’s Northern Range
Day 7: Wildlife Watching in Lamar Valley, Flight home (Option A)
Day 8: Flight home (Option B)
Want to add a ski vacation to your trip? Add a few days for skiing near Bozeman and consider Big Sky or Bridger Bowl.
Why Visit Yellowstone in Winter?
Here are 5 reasons we love visiting Yellowstone in winter.
It’s A Winter Wonderland: During winter months, Yellowstone transforms into a serene, snow-covered paradise. It’s a truly magical time of year and unlike any other season.
There Are Fewer People: November is generally the least busy month to visit Yellowstone National Park, then December follows shortly behind, then March, then January, and February. Visiting Yellowstone in the winter is an excellent time of year to enjoy smaller crowds, allowing for more intimate and peaceful exploration.
Unique Wildlife Viewing: Winter is a prime time to witness Yellowstone's wildlife, including bison, wolves, and foxes, which become more visible against the landscape’s white backdrop. February, in particular, is arguably the best month of the year to see wolves in Yellowstone.
Exclusive Adventures: Since interior park roads are closed to private vehicles, visitors are encouraged to explore by snowmobile or snowcoach. These are fun, adventurous, and unique ways to experience Yellowstone's beauty!
The Trails Are Quiet: Explore Yellowstone on snowshoes or cross-country skis, immersing yourself in the park's backcountry and feeling like you have the park all to yourself.
Best Month to Visit Yellowstone in Winter
There’s not a bad month to visit Yellowstone National Park, and that’s true in the winter, too. We’ve been in January, February, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November. (Plus, we’ll spend this December in Yellowstone as we renovate our Yellowstone Christmas Cabin!)
Yellowstone’s winter season runs from December 15th to March 15th. During this time, the North Entrance near Gardiner, MT, is open, and Yellowstone’s interior becomes accessible by over-snow travel, such as snowmobile or snowcoach.
While each winter month is special, we recommend planning your visit for February. You’ll still enjoy smaller crowds and Yellowstone’s picturesque winter wonderland, but temperatures are slightly rising in February (so are the length of days!), and precipitation tends to be the lowest of the three winter months. Plus, February is arguably the best month of the year to see wolves in Yellowstone.
How to Get to Yellowstone in Winter
The easiest way to get to Yellowstone in winter is to fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), then rent a car to drive to the park. It takes about 1.5-2 hours to drive from Bozeman Airport to either Yellowstone’s West or North Entrance.
If you’re staying in both West Yellowstone (the town at Yellowstone’s West Entrance) and Gardiner (the town at Yellowstone’s North Entrance), expect to drive from Bozeman to West, then back to Bozeman, and around to Gardiner. This is because the road between West and North Yellowstone—inside the park—is closed to private vehicles in the winter.
While it’s a long drive that you’re technically 'doubling up’, it’s worth seeing both areas of Yellowstone in the winter. Plus, the drives from Bozeman to West and Bozeman to North are different and grand in their own ways.
If you’re flying into Bozeman Airport and don’t want to rent a vehicle, you can book transportation from Bozeman to West Yellowstone. Click here for more information.
If you’re coming from a nearby state and want to drive to Yellowstone in the winter, remember that you can only enter Yellowstone in your personal vehicle from the North entrance. If you’re staying in West Yellowstone, you’ll still need to book a tour or transportation into the park.
Note: A winter trip is generally the most expensive time of year to visit Yellowstone. This is because certain parts of the park are only accessible via commercial tour, and you’ll have to plan for things like winter gear and limited lodging. For this reason, and because winter weather in the area can impact travel plans, you may want to consider travel insurance for your trip. We were recently featured on Forbes talking about travel insurance—You can check it out here, plus get some great information about whether or not it’s right for you.
Where to Stay in Yellowstone in the Winter
You have four main options for where to stay to visit Yellowstone in the winter: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Gardiner, MT, and West Yellowstone, MT.
1. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel:
Location: Located in the northern part of the park, near the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces.
Why Stay Here: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is one of two lodges open within Yellowstone during winter. It offers accommodations with easy access to the Northern Range, a prime area for winter wildlife watching, and the Mammoth Hot Springs themselves. The hotel also serves as a base for snowcoach and cross-country skiing tours.
2. Old Faithful Snow Lodge:
Location: Situated near the famous Old Faithful Geyser in the park's interior.
Why Stay Here: Accessible only by snowcoach or snowmobile in winter, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge offers a unique and remote winter experience. Guests can explore the nearby geysers and hot springs and enjoy the beauty of the snow-covered geothermal features. The lodge provides a cozy, rustic atmosphere, perfect for a winter retreat.
3. Gardiner, Montana:
Location: Just outside Yellowstone’s North Entrance.
Why Stay Here: Gardiner sits at Yellowstone’s North Entrance, the only entrance for self-driving in winter. This means you can only drive your vehicle into the park from this entrance. From Gardiner, you’ll have convenient access to Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley, which are some of the best spots for winter wildlife watching. Go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, or take a snow coach into the park’s interior for more sightseeing. Gardiner offers a variety of accommodations, from hotels to vacation rentals, and is a convenient place to stay when visiting Yellowstone in the winter. We might be biased—we live here part-time—but Gardiner, MT, is our favorite home base for visiting Yellowstone National Park. Gardiner is a great choice for wildlife watchers and those looking to snowshoe or cross-country ski.
4. West Yellowstone, Montana:
Location: Located near the park’s West Entrance.
Why Stay Here: West Yellowstone is a hub for winter activities, with numerous lodging options and easy access to snowmobile and snowcoach tours into Yellowstone. The town also has the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, a great spot to learn about local wildlife and view grizzly bears and wolves (among other wildlife) from a safe and close distance. West Yellowstone is a great choice if you’re looking to experience the park’s geothermal features and join guided tours.
How to Book the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel in Winter
Booking a winter stay at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is a great option for those wanting easy access to Yellowstone in winter without the need for over-snow travel. Reservations can be made through Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Xanterra) via their website or by phone, and booking early is recommended, as availability is limited. The hotel is open mid-December to early March and is the only in-park lodging accessible by personal vehicle in winter.
Staying at Mammoth puts you close to Lamar Valley for prime wildlife watching and offers direct access to groomed cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Guests can also book snowcoach tours to places like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Dining is available at the Mammoth Hotel Dining Room, though hours and menu options are more limited than in summer.
Why Wildlife Enthusiasts Will Love Gardiner, MT
Gardiner, Montana, is the perfect winter base for wildlife watchers and those interested in snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, thanks to its year-round access to Yellowstone’s northern range, one of the best areas for spotting wolves, bison, elk, pronghorn antelope, and other wildlife in winter.
Unlike most park entrances, the North Entrance remains open to personal vehicles, allowing easy access to Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Blacktail Plateau, all prime wildlife habitats. For outdoor enthusiasts, Parks’ Fly Shop rents snowshoes and cross-country skis, making it easy to explore the trails around Mammoth, Tower, and beyond.
After a day in the snow, warm up with a meal at Wonderland Cafe or The Corral Burgers—or head to the nearby Yellowstone Hot Springs for some R&R. With fewer crowds, stunning winter scenery, and prime wildlife viewing, Gardiner offers a convenient and flexible Yellowstone winter experience.
Yellowstone’s North Entrance
How to Book the Old Faithful Snow Lodge in Winter
To book a winter vacation at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, reservations can be made through Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Xanterra), the official park concessionaire, on their website or by calling their reservations line.
Bookings typically open in spring or summer for the following winter season, and since the lodge is one of two winter accommodations inside the park, it fills up quickly. The lodge operates from mid-December to early March, accessible only by over-snow transportation like snowcoach or guided snowmobile tours, which must also be reserved separately. (Be sure to factor this cost of transportation into your hotel budget. You can read more about planning for winter transportation here.) There is no personal vehicle access to Old Faithful in winter.
Note: Don’t want to rent a vehicle during your stay? While this is not our recommendation (we highly recommend driving Yellowstone’s Northern Range), you can book transportation from Bozeman Airport to Old Faithful and even a snowcoach from Old Faithful to Mammoth Lodge to get to both areas of the park.
Why Snowmobilers Should Stay in West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone is the town outside the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. It’s one of the most popular places to stay while visiting Yellowstone, partly because of its access to the geyser basins and partly because it’s an accessible drive from many surrounding states.
However, in the winter, the west entrance of Yellowstone is not open to private vehicles. This means you’ll need to: (1) Win a snowmobile permit to enter and tour on your own, (2) Join a guided snowmobile tour, (3) Take a guided snowcoach tour into the park, or (4) Book a ski shuttle into the park for cross country skiing.
Since West Yellowstone is the only current location to book a snowmobile tour into the park, it’s a great lodging choice for those hoping to explore on snowmobile. We recommend choosing a hotel in the town center—hotels like the Holiday Inn, Days Inn, or Best Western are all conveniently located within walking distance of restaurants and tour pick-up points.
West Yellowstone Entrance
Best Things To Do in Yellowstone in Winter
Yellowstone in winter is a winter wonderland with winter activities, adventure, and beauty at every turn. Imagine zipping through the snowy landscape on a snowmobile, with bison casually strolling by, or hopping on a cozy snowcoach to catch the breathtaking sight of Old Faithful erupting in the snow.
Or, if you're up for a bit of exploration, grab some snowshoes and wander through the peaceful trails, where you might spot some of Yellowstone's amazing wildlife going about their day. Whether you're marveling at the beauty of the Mammoth Hot Springs or enjoying the pristine of winter photography, Yellowstone in winter is full of unforgettable experiences that will leave you feeling inspired and refreshed.
Here are some of the best things to do in Yellowstone in winter!
Snowmobile Tours
Snowmobiling in Yellowstone is a fun way to experience the park’s winter beauty, offering a chance to see geysers, waterfalls, and wildlife in an adventurous setting. Since most park roads are closed to regular vehicles in winter, snowmobiles provide access to places like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
As of writing, the only snowmobile tours within Yellowstone operate out of West Yellowstone, MT. These tours are led by authorized concessionaires who provide the necessary permits, equipment, and expert guidance, making it easy to enjoy the park’s winter landscapes while staying safe and following conservation guidelines.
Once you decide to snowmobile into Yellowstone’s interior, then you’ll want to choose which part of the park you’d like to explore. The two main areas to visit are Yellowstone Canyon and Old Faithful.
Old Faithful Snowmobile Tour – Snowmobile through Yellowstone’s geyser basins to the world-famous Old Faithful geyser, where you can watch its powerful eruptions against a backdrop of icy trees and steaming thermal features. This is the most popular tour.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Snowmobile Tour – Ride through a winter wonderland to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, stopping at breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the towering Lower Falls and colorful canyon walls. From here, you may see iconic Yellowstone locations, such as Artist Point and Hayden Valley. (Note: What exactly you see will depend on the weather, visibility, and your guide.)
Our mode of transportation for the day! We covered about 100 miles on snowmobile through Yellowstone Canyon.
Snowcoach Tours
Snowcoach tours offer a comfortable and scenic way to explore Yellowstone’s winter landscapes, providing access to areas that are otherwise unreachable by personal vehicles. These heated, over-snow vehicles operate from mid-December to early March, traveling along snow-covered park roads to destinations like Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin, and Mammoth Hot Springs.
Snowcoach tours are ideal for those who want to experience Yellowstone’s winter beauty without the exposure to extreme cold that comes with snowmobiling. Along the way, knowledgeable guides share fascinating insights about the park’s geothermal features, wildlife, and winter ecology, enhancing the experience. With large windows and elevated seating, snowcoaches offer excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities, often allowing guests to see bison, elk, coyotes, and sometimes even wolves in the snowy landscape.
We booked our snowcoach tour with Yellowstone Vacation Tours. Ask for Gypsy!
Wolf and Grizzly Discovery Center
The Wolf and Grizzly Discovery Center in West Yellowstone provides an opportunity to safely view grizzly bears, wolves, otters, and other animals up close. Plus, you’re able to ask questions, hear from wildlife guides, and learn more about the habits of these animals, which the center tries to keep as wild as possible.
The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is a year-round wildlife sanctuary that provides a lifelong home for animals that cannot survive in the wild due to injury, human habituation, or other circumstances. The center also plays an important role in bear safety education, allowing visitors to observe firsthand how bears respond to different types of bear-proof food containers, which are tested on-site to ensure they can withstand a bear’s curiosity and strength.
Open every day of the year, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is not only a fun and educational stop for wildlife enthusiasts but also a vital resource for wildlife conservation and education in the Yellowstone region.
If you want to guarantee you see bears and wolves during your trip to Yellowstone… Or you want to view these animals from a distance closer than you can typically do safely in the park, spend a morning or afternoon at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone.
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, West Yellowstone
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, West Yellowstone
Drive Yellowstone’s Northern Range
The north entrance to Yellowstone is the only entrance open year-round. This means you can drive your vehicle through Yellowstone National Park from this entrance only during winter.
We highly recommend spending some of your trip in Gardiner so you can drive into the park and explore at your own pace. You’ll also see and photograph the Roosevelt Arch on your way into the park.
Roosevelt Arch
Driving Yellowstone’s Northern Range is one of the very first things we recommend you do after arriving in Gardiner. This 55-mile drive from the north entrance in Gardiner to the northeast entrance in Cooke City is magnificent!
Take in the views from the Gardiner River Bridge (particularly when driving back toward Gardiner) and the Icebox Canyon (between Lamar Valley and the Northeast Entrance). These are two of my favorite views when driving through Yellowstone in the winter.
After you arrive in Cooke City (passing through Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance), grab a hot chocolate at Cooke City Coffee before turning around. (There are also public restrooms at the Visitor Center in Cooke City.)
Then, prepare for the views to get even better! Driving from Cooke City to Gardiner through the Icebox Canyon, you’ll see snow-dusted trees and grand snow-capped mountains, some of which seemingly just appear out of the sky.
We spent our first full day in Gardiner driving through North Yellowstone, watching for wildlife, and taking in the incredible views. We hopped out of the car to walk the open trails at the Mammoth Hot Springs and ate lunch in a pull-off overlooking Lamar Valley.
Then, at the end of the day, when the sun was going down, we enjoyed our drive back toward the town of Gardiner, looking so cozy and inviting while lit up in warm lights at the base of misty, snowy mountains. Driving through North Yellowstone is hands-down one of the best, most breathtaking things to do in Yellowstone National Park in the winter!
Views at the Northeast Entrance in the winter.
Driving through North Yellowstone.
Walk the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Another one of the best things to do in Yellowstone during the winter is tour the Mammoth Hot Springs. You can drive your own car to the parking lot and then enjoy a quiet boardwalk stroll through the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces.
It’s truly magical to have these trails and hot spring viewing sites to yourself. That’s a huge bonus to visiting Yellowstone in the winter, but it comes with a small tradeoff: Some trails will be closed when you’re visiting. This is one of the biggest things (alongside the weather) to remember about making a trip to Yellowstone in the winter. Some roads, trails, campgrounds, entrances, restaurants, etc., will be closed.
That’s part of the fun (or maybe, the adventure?) of visiting during this quieter time of the year though, so don’t fret when you stumble upon a closure notice. Listen to park rangers and abide by all signs to keep you and wildlife safe. And enjoy what is open and the front-row viewing access you’re provided!
We spent almost 40 minutes exploring the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces with no one else in sight. And the views really are incredible during the winter - the cold temperatures allow the steam on the hot springs to be even more pronounced, and when it’s cold enough, the steam from a hot spring will freeze along the boardwalk, creating a picture-perfect frost-lined winter wonderland.
Mammoth Hot Springs terraces overlooking Mammoth Village.
Mammoth Hot Springs boardwalk.
Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in Yellowstone are peaceful and immersive ways to experience the park’s stunning landscapes, with miles of groomed and ungroomed trails winding through snow-covered forests, open meadows, and geothermal areas.
Since most park roads are closed to regular vehicle traffic, many visitors access skiing and snowshoeing trails near Mammoth Hot Springs and the Northern Range, where personal vehicles are allowed year-round. Trails in this area, such as the Blacktail Plateau Ski Trail and the Barronette Ski Trail in Lamar Valley, provide excellent opportunities for solitude and wildlife viewing, with a chance to see bison, elk, and even wolves against a backdrop of pristine snow.
For those looking to explore deeper into the park, guided snowcoach tours and ski shuttles depart from Mammoth Hot Springs and West Yellowstone, providing transportation to trailheads in Yellowstone’s interior, including the Old Faithful area.
The Old Faithful region offers some of the park's most scenic and unique skiing and snowshoeing routes, with well-marked trails winding past steaming geysers and boiling hot springs. Popular trails include the Lone Star Geyser Trail, a relatively easy route following an old service road to a backcountry geyser that erupts every few hours, and the Biscuit Basin Trail, which takes skiers through a winter wonderland of geothermal features before connecting to the longer Fairy Falls route.
Around Mammoth Hot Springs, the Upper Terrace Loop is a great choice for a shorter excursion, offering views of the steaming travertine terraces against the snow. Snowshoeing and skiing conditions can change rapidly, so visitors should be prepared with proper winter gear, check current trail reports, and carry bear spray, as some wildlife, including bison and wolves, remain active in the park throughout the winter. Whether gliding through a silent forest or standing in the middle of a snowy valley with geyser steam rising in the distance, exploring Yellowstone on skis or snowshoes is an unforgettable way to experience the park in its quietest and most magical season.
You can hire a guide or rent/bring snowshoes to take a guided or self-guided snowshoe through the park.
Feeling like we had the park to ourselves during our snowshoe hike. Our guide pointed out wolf tracks along the way!
Wildlife Viewing along Yellowstone’s Northern Range
Wildlife watching in Yellowstone during winter is a truly special experience, offering a chance to see animals against a backdrop of snow-covered landscapes. With fewer visitors in the park, wildlife is more active and visible, especially in the Northern Range, which remains accessible by personal vehicle year-round.
Lamar Valley, often called the "Serengeti of North America," is one of the best places to spot wolves, which were reintroduced to the park in the 1990s. Winter is the best time of year to observe wolf packs, as they are more active during the day and easier to see against the snow. In addition to wolves, large herds of bison can often be found moving through deep snow, their thick winter coats covered in frost. Elk, coyotes, red foxes, and bald eagles are also commonly seen in the open valleys, while otters can sometimes be spotted playing along the edges of rivers and thermal areas.
Beyond the Northern Range, visitors can also see wildlife in places like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone by taking a snowcoach tour or snowmobile tour. These over-snow vehicles allow access to the park’s interior, where bison travel in single-file lines through deep snow, and trumpeter swans float in the steaming waters of the Firehole and Madison Rivers.
The Mammoth Hot Springs area is another excellent location for winter wildlife viewing, with elk frequently seen around the terraces and thermal features keeping some areas snow-free. No matter where you go, wildlife watching in Yellowstone during winter requires patience, warm clothing, and binoculars or a spotting scope to fully appreciate the experience. Roadside pullouts provide safe places to observe animals from a distance, and visitors should always follow park guidelines by giving wildlife plenty of space, as winter can be a difficult time for animals conserving energy. For those willing to brave the cold, Yellowstone’s winter landscape offers some of the most rewarding and unforgettable wildlife encounters anywhere in the world.
Bison resting in snow along the road.
Watching a red fox sleep, hunt, and eat near Petrified Tree.
Guided Winter Tours: Yellowstone Canyon vs. Old Faithful
In the winter, Yellowstone Canyon and Old Faithful are the two main areas to explore in Yellowstone’s interior.
The Old Faithful tour is the most popular one from West Yellowstone, as most people want to see an Old Faithful eruption. You’ll also explore geyer basins, waterfalls, and stop for wildlife along the way. The Canyon tour is less popular but just as gorgeous and takes you to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. While exactly what you’ll see depends on your guide and weather conditions, you may see Hayden Valley, Artist Point, and other viewpoints near Yellowstone Canyon.
Our Canyon guide mentioned that we’d see a few hundred people in the park throughout the day, but only a quarter of those people were going to the Canyon. So, the Canyon Tour is the one to do if you want to minimize crowds. That said, you’re always with your tour group, so don’t expect to have Yellowstone 100% to yourself unless you’re able to snag a self-guided snowmobile permit.
How to Pick: Snowmobile vs. Snowcoach in Yellowstone
If you’re looking for an adventure, love snowmobiling (or ATV-ing or go-carting), or want a unique way to explore a national park, consider a snowmobile tour. We took our snowmobile tour of Yellowstone Canyon and were able to see Artist’s Point, Yellowstone Canyon, Gibson Falls, Hayden Valley, and an overlook of the Yellowstone Caldera.
You also snowmobile through the town of West Yellowstone (stopping at stop signs, red lights, etc., alongside cars). We were actually on a tour with someone from Germany, who asked us to take a video (I was a passenger while Jon was driving, so I could easily take photos and videos) because friends from home wouldn’t believe she was snowmobiling through town. This is common in West Yellowstone in the winter; You’ll see snowmobilers everywhere!
While the snowmobile tour is an adventure, you spend most of your time on the snowmobile. There are quick stops at overlooks, a ~15-minute stop at a warming hut where you can purchase a hot beverage, and a ~40-minute stop for lunch at Canyon Lodge. If this is what you’re looking for, perfect! But if you’re hoping for more time on foot to walk around or lots of time for photography, consider the snowcoach instead.
Heads up for my fellow slow-mos: During the snowmobile tour, you’re going FAST - like 30-45 mph (on average, sometimes as fast as 50 mph), and you have to go with the speed of the group. This was no problem for Jon even though he’s never snowmobiled before (he has gone go-carting and ATV-ing), but I definitely don’t have a need for speed and didn’t love keeping up with the speed of the group, especially never having been on a snowmobile before. Just something to keep in mind as you consider which tour is best for you. (I did love being a photographing passenger, so Jon driving while I captured the experience worked out great for us!)
The snow coach tour, on the other hand, is much less adventurous but offers more time outside the coach. Plus, because you’re going slower than you do on the snowmobile (and you’re not behind the wheel), you'll feel like you can see more while driving.
If you have to pick one, we recommend a snowcoach tour to Old Faithful, but if you have time and budget for both, we recommend a snowmobile tour to Yellowstone Canyon and a snowcoach tour to Old Faithful.
What to Pack / Wear to Visit Yellowstone in the Winter
While you do want to pack warm for your trip, you don’t necessarily need a lot of luggage. We packed in two carryons and two backpacks for one week in Yellowstone’s winter wonderland. My backpack was exclusively a camera bag, and Jon’s backpack was almost exclusively a camera and wildlife-viewing bag. (He had a go-pro, tripod, binoculars, and scope attachment in his bag, along with other miscellaneous items like wallets and keys.) All of our attire was in the two carryons.
Here’s what we recommend packing for your winter trip to Yellowstone National Park. I’ll share what we’re glad we packed and a few items we wish we’d packed (and why).
Thermal baselayers (long sleeve top and bottoms)
Thick wool socks
Snow Pants/Waterproof Pants (especially if you plan on cross-country skiing or snowshoeing)
Sweat Pants
Light but warm jacket
Heavier snow jacket
Buff
Gloves*
Ear muffs/hats
Good winter boots*
One pair of pajamas
One post-exploration outfit (either one to relax in at home or one for dinners out if you plan on doing so—we typically ate right after our excursions in our winter gear, so we only brought one pair of shorts and a t-shirt for evening relaxation)
Silicone rings, if applicable (This one is because you’ll take your gloves on and off regularly for photos as you hop in and out of the car. Since you’re traveling during winter, your hands will likely be cold, and your fingers will likely shrink. You don’t want to lose your jewelry, so opt for a cheaper silicone band for your trip instead.)
Nail clippers/nail file (Nails can break more easily in colder temperatures, especially if you’re not used to it. We highlight recommend nail clippers for your winter trip.)
Camera gear/scopes (If you’re interested in seeing wildlife, you can also rent cameras and scopes in Gardiner.)
Show shoes/cross-country skis (If you’re driving or you have your own gear, you may wish to bring it vs. renting. Otherwise, you can hire a guide who will bring all of the necessary gear, or you can rent show shoes in town.)
Sunglasses (Tinted snow goggles if you’re snowmobiling.)
Toiletries
*Invest in good boots, socks, and gloves if you want to watch for wildlife. You’ll spend a lot of time out of the car, not moving. (If you’re doing mostly drives or tours, you’ll hop in and out of the warm car/bus, so you’re probably fine with whatever winter boots and gloves you have in your closet.)
What to Wear Snowmobiling
Unless you snowmobile often, your best bet is to rent snowmobile gear at the time of your booking. (When you sign up for the tour, also book rental gear.)
We booked with Yellowstone Vacation Tours, who, upon arrival and check-in, got us set up with a 40-below suit, helmet, gloves, and good winter boots. You might be tempted to remove a jacket or opt out of snow pants with a suit like this, but don’t! You’ll be driving up to 40mph, which makes the temperature feel much colder.
Remember, you’re snowmobiling, not exploring on foot. You won’t work up as much internal heat as you would with cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Wear your thermal underwear, snow or sweat pants, winter jacket, wool socks, and buff, then rent gloves, boots, and a snowmobile suit. Then, you’ll be comfortable to enjoy your day outside in the snow!
What to Wear on a Snowcoach Tour
For your snow coach tour, dress warmly so you can take advantage of all the time you’re offered outside the coach. You want to walk the trails, take pictures, and soak up Yellowstone in all of its winter glory.
Yes, you will spend a lot of time inside the coach, but while the coach won’t be cold, it won’t be hot either. We were comfortable wearing our winter attire inside and outside of the coach. We just took gloves and hats on/off accordingly.
So, even though you’re taking a snow coach tour, dress for the winter weather to get off the coach and stay warm while you explore! This includes wearing winter boots, gloves, hats, wool socks, long johns, snow or sweat pants, and a winter jacket. You may also want to bring extra chargers if you take lots of photos, especially since the cold weather can cause batteries to drain more quickly.
Note: Just like with the snowmobile tour, you can opt for a boxed lunch, pack your own, or run to the Exxon gas station by Otter Pub to grab sandwiches before you go.
For snowshoeing, we wore a thermal baselayer, wool socks, waterproof snow pants, two jackets, buff, earmuffs/hoodie, and winter boots. We were comfortable (and even got warm) because we were moving. Our guide provided the snowshoes and poles.
For wildlife watching in North Yellowstone, we were also comfortable skipping the snow/waterproof pants and opting for sweatpants over base layers.
Here’s how we dressed for our snowcoach tour: we both have on thermal baselayers, two jackets (me- lightweight and heavy, Jon- hoodie and jacket), sweatpants (mine-water resistance, Jon’s- standard), winter boots, gloves, sunglasses, and buffs. We were comfortable! This is also how we dressed for the majority of our days driving through the north part of the park with quick stops at overlooks.
All bundled up and ready to snowmobile in Yellowstone. Looking into the heart of the Yellowstone Caldera, with the Teton Range visible in the distance.
Is Winter the Best Time to Visit Yellowstone?
On our first Yellowstone winter visit, we asked almost everyone we met (including all of our tour guides) when their favorite time of year was in Yellowstone. Everyone we talked to said pretty much the same thing: You’re in for a special treat visiting Yellowstone in the winter.
It’s one of the most magical times of the year to be in the park. Once you see Yellowstone under a blanket of snow, you won’t want to see it any other way. Picture winter wonderland views with the smallest crowds of the year, sometimes feeling like you have Yellowstone National Park all to yourself.
That said, there’s no bad day—or bad time—to be in the park. The best time to visit Yellowstone depends on what you want to do and see. If your heart is set on a winter wonderland, everyone is right… Yellowstone under a blanket of snow is absolutely magical.
But here’s what I’d add if you’re thinking about planning a winter trip.
Is it worth it to put a Yellowstone winter on your bucket list? 100%. No question. But would I plan my first trip to Yellowstone in the winter? Probably not. Roads are closed, campgrounds are closed, and if you want to see as much of Yellowstone as possible, you’ll need a large budget to book things like snowmobile tours, snow coach tours, and snowshoe trips.
Travel Tips for Visiting Yellowstone in Winter
Visiting Yellowstone in winter is an unforgettable experience, but it requires careful planning and preparation for extreme conditions. The park’s interior is only accessible by guided snowmobile and snowcoach tours, while the northern section, including Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley, remains open to personal vehicles. Because of limited access and reduced services, it’s essential to book accommodations and tours well in advance.
Lodging inside the park is only available at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Old Faithful Snow Lodge, while the gateway towns of Gardiner and West Yellowstone offer additional options. Snowcoach and snowmobile tours to popular sites like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone fill up quickly, so reservations should be made as early as possible. Those planning to ski or snowshoe can also arrange for ski shuttles to trailheads within the park.
Winter in Yellowstone brings subzero temperatures, heavy snowfall, and unpredictable weather, so packing properly is key. Dressing in warm, moisture-wicking layers, wearing insulated waterproof boots, and bringing a hat, gloves, and a neck gaiter or face mask will help keep you comfortable. Sunglasses or ski goggles are also useful, as the sun reflecting off the snow can be intense.
Visitors should carry snacks, water, and emergency supplies since services inside the park are limited, and cell service is unreliable in many areas. Wildlife watching is excellent in winter, but it requires patience and the right equipment, such as binoculars or a spotting scope for distant animals. Those exploring on foot should be aware of deep snow and icy trails and carry bear spray, as wildlife, including bison and wolves, remain active year-round. Whether traveling by snowcoach, snowmobile, skis, or car, checking road conditions and weather forecasts before heading out is essential for a safe and enjoyable Yellowstone winter adventure.
What to Expect Visiting Yellowstone in Winter
We found out one thing for sure during our winter trip to Yellowstone after talking to just about every wildlife watcher we could find (about a dozen): The best opportunity for viewing wildlife year-round is found in the north part of Yellowstone National Park.
If you want to see wildlife, go north.
During our winter trip, we saw a hibernating bear. (Well, we’re told we saw a hibernating bear because we were looking into a known hibernation den, but the bear was tucked in so well, we couldn’t actually make out what we were looking at, ha!)
We also saw the three canids of Yellowstone National Park: wolf, red fox, and coyote. (We also saw wolf, red fox, and coyote tracks! And heard both a coyote and a wolf howl. So cool!)
We saw 7 of the 8 hooved animals in Yellowstone National Park: white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, elk, pronghorn antelope (right near the North Entrance!), moose, bighorn sheep, and bison. (We saw three moose in total - from two different parts of the North park - and saw quite a few bighorn sheep on the very, very top of a mountain ridge at the Footbridge pull-off.) We did not see a mountain goat this trip, but I guess that just gives us something to look for when we head back later this year, right?
We saw both golden and bald eagles. And we rode next to bison on snowmobiles, watched bison graze while Old Faithful erupted, and saw bison, elk, pronghorn antelope, and coyotes cross the street in front of us (the latter of which crossed in front of us both while on snowmobiles and driving through the north part of the park).
Yellowstone National Park is one of the most amazing places in the United States to look for wildlife, and we absolutely loved this part of our trip!
Visiting in the winter, we had an easier time spotting wildlife (i.e. wolves that may camouflage otherwise), and we had better access to overlooks and pull-offs. Because winter in Yellowstone is one of the least crowded times of the year, you’ll have an easier time getting off the road and parking in a safe spot to look and watch for minutes (or hours) at a time.
Plus, you’ll probably get to meet official ‘Wolf Watchers’ and hear incredible stories from their years of tracking wildlife in Yellowstone.
In fact, that was one of our favorite things about visiting Yellowstone in the winter. We got to meet so many different people with incredible stories about what led them to visit Yellowstone during a season not many others do.
We met wildlife biologists a year out of college who were now working seasonal jobs with different parks, researching and doing fieldwork on various wildlife. We met a retired couple who recently spent three months on a road trip to and through Alaska. We met many wolf watchers who come to the park daily, monthly, and yearly to look for wolves. (We even met the very first Wolf Watcher in the park, Rick McIntyre, who has written many books on Yellowstone and is considered a leading expert on Yellowstone wolves.)
And so many of these wolf watchers were helpful, friendly, and willing to chat with us about their experiences in the park. They are a large reason we got to see wolves on our first winter trip to Yellowstone. (This is a HUGE deal because seeing wolves in the wild was on Jonathan’s bucket list!!! Want to read about our experience and learn more about wildlife watching in Yellowstone National Park? Soon you’ll be able to click here for a post by Jonathan on wildlife in Yellowstone.)
Visiting Yellowstone in the Winter is out of the norm — it’s quite the trip with planning, logistics, and unpredictable weather — so we met many people with interesting stories and backgrounds that led them here.
Here as in… to sometimes as low as -47 degree weather… where they’d then stand in the snow for hours on end… just waiting for a glimpse of a wolf or red fox in the snow.
We say 6 to 7 days is the perfect amount of time to visit Yellowstone in the winter and do everything thoroughly. However, if wildlife watching is high on your priority list, consider adding a few days to your trip to maximize your chances of seeing wolves and other animals. It’s truly a numbers game. Some wolf watchers saw 20 wolves the day before we arrived, then nothing for 2 days, then we saw a pack of 5 on our last day in town. The more days you have available to drive the park in search of wildlife, the better.
Learn more about wildlife watching in Yellowstone National Park here.
Keep Planning your Yellowstone Vacation
Plan the ultimate Yellowstone vacation with our All-Seasons Yellowstone Travel Guide! With insider tips, detailed maps, and tailored itineraries for each season, ensure you don’t miss out on the best things to do and see in Yellowstone year-round.
Crafted from personal experience over 9 years and 10 trips (& counting), our All-Seasons Yellowstone Travel Guide is packed with expert advice for experiencing the best—and less-traveled—parts of Yellowstone National Park. Take the overwhelm out of planning a vacation to one of America’s largest national parks and make the most of your visit with our comprehensive, easy-to-use travel guide.
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