- Most park roads close in winter, so plan your trip around oversnow travel or the drivable Northern Range.
- Book snowcoach or snowmobile tours early if you want to reach Old Faithful and Yellowstone’s interior.
- Winter lodging is limited—reserve Mammoth or Old Faithful Snow Lodge months ahead.
- Pack heavy winter clothing and traction footwear; temperatures regularly drop below 0°F.
- Check road status daily and keep backup plans, as winter weather can quickly change conditions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What Makes Yellowstone in Winter Special?
- When Is Winter in Yellowstone?
- What Weather and Temperatures Can You Expect?
- How Do You Access Yellowstone in Winter?
- Activities available in Winter
- Where To Stay
- What Should You Pack
- Is Yellowstone Safe in Winter?
- How to Stay Safe
- How Long Should You Visit
- FAQs
Yellowstone in winter is a completely different park—quiet, snow-covered, steaming, and wildly uncrowded.
You’ll see frosty pine forests, thermal basins steaming in the frosty air, and bison plowing through deep snow.
But here’s the big thing: visiting Yellowstone National Park in winter takes more planning than any other season.
Most park roads are closed to regular vehicle traffic, services run on limited schedules, and your itinerary depends on whether you’re traveling by car, snowcoach, or snowmobile.
The good news? If you’re willing to embrace the cold and do a fair amount of planning, winter might be the most unforgettable time to experience Yellowstone.
What Makes Yellowstone in Winter Special?
Is it the peace that makes a Yellowstone winter so unforgettable? Or is it the drama?
Snow blankets the landscape in silence, and the iconic geothermal features shroud themselves in a veil of thick, hot steam.
Instead of traffic jams and full parking lots, you’ll hear the crunch of your boots on snow or the distant sound of wolves howling in the Lamar Valley.
Which brings us to winter wildlife. Winter isn’t peak activity for every species, but it’s still one of the best seasons to actually see animals.
Bison and elk stay active, and open valleys like Lamar make spotting wildlife easier.
Some animals, like elk, travel to lower elevations for food and warmth. And right behind them? The wolves.
When Is the Winter in Yellowstone?
“Winter in Yellowstone” can mean two different things: weather or season.
Winter weather can start as early as late October or early November and linger into April or even May in higher elevations.
But the official winter season is when Yellowstone switches over to oversnow travel (snowcoaches and guided snowmobiles) for most of the park’s interior roads.
That official winter access period typically runs from mid-December through mid-March, though exact dates vary by year and road conditions.
Check the current year’s winter schedule here.
Early winter (late November to mid-December) and late winter (mid-March through April) are more of a transition season.
It can still be snowy and cold, but winter access may be limited, and many services aren’t fully running.
Some oversnow options—like snowmobile and snowcoach routes—may not be operating yet, or may be winding down.
That means travel during these shoulder seasons can be outright impossible.
For the full winter Yellowstone experience, plan your trip for late December through February.
What Weather and Temperatures Can You Expect?
Yellowstone in winter is stunning—but it’s also serious winter travel. Expect cold temperatures, snow, and changing conditions from day to day.
Typical winter conditions include:
- Very cold mornings, often below 0°F (especially in January/February)
- Snowy roads and icy walkways
- Wind chill makes it feel even colder
- Bright, sunny days that still stay frigid
This means you need to pack strategically, plan shorter outdoor stops, and keep a close eye on weather forecasts.
One major bonus: winter air is crisp and clean, and visibility can be incredible for photography—especially around sunrise and sunset.
How Do You Access Yellowstone in Winter?
This is the #1 takeaway from this entire guide: you can’t drive the full park in winter like you can in summer.
In winter, Yellowstone’s interior roads are mostly closed to regular vehicles and open only for oversnow travel, such as snowcoach tours and snowmobile tours.
However, the Northern Range is the one area you can typically reach by regular car year-round, via the North Entrance.
Basically, it’s just the area from Gardiner, Montana, to Cooke City, Montana by way of Tower Junction. Check the current road status here.
Alternatively, you can also book a snowcoach/snowmobile experience, or apply for a permit to snowmobile on your own, to reach Old Faithful and the geyser basins.
Bottom line: your transportation makes your winter itinerary. Decide how you want to get around, and plan around that first.
What Activities Are Available in Winter?
Winter is the season of snow-based adventures and wildlife watching, and it’s honestly hard to choose just one highlight.
Here are the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park in winter:
Snowcoach and Snowmobile Tours
If you want to see the famous Yellowstone icons (like Old Faithful) in winter, a snowcoach or snowmobile tour is often the way to do it.
These oversnow trips travel into the park when normal cars can’t—and, hey, they sure are a lot of fun, too!
Snowcoaches are great if you want something warmer and more relaxed, while snowmobile tours are a more adventurous way to explore.
Either way, you’ll pass snowy forests, steaming thermal areas, and plenty of wildlife along the routes.
Wildlife Watching
Wildlife watching is one of the biggest reasons people fall in love with Yellowstone in winter.
Many animals are easier to spot against white snow, and they often travel through valleys and road corridors where the terrain is more manageable.
Your best bet for winter wildlife viewing is the Northern Range, including Lamar Valley.
There, you’ll spy bison, wolves, elk, foxes, coyotes…all sorts of winter critters.
Bring binoculars, go early, and embrace the slow pace—winter wildlife watching is all about patience and scanning.
Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
If you want a quieter, more immersive winter experience, Yellowstone is great for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Instead of viewing the park from pullouts, you get to move through it.
Well-known winter routes include:
- Mammoth Hot Springs,
- the Upper Geyser Basin
- Lone Star Geyser Trail, and
- former summer roads like Blacktail Plateau Drive
...which become designated oversnow routes in winter.
These areas offer a mix of geothermal features, open terrain, and wildlife habitat.
This is also a great option if you’re skipping oversnow motorized tours but still want a true “winter wilderness” vibe.
Where Can You Stay During a Yellowstone Winter Trip?
Winter lodging is much more limited than summer, so booking ahead matters.
Only two in-park lodges are open in winter: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins, and Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
Mammoth is accessible by regular vehicle in winter via the North Entrance, making it the easiest base if you want to drive yourself around the Northern Range.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge is deeper in the park and typically requires oversnow travel (snowcoach or snowmobile) to reach, which makes staying there feel like a full winter expedition.
Outside the park, Gardiner and West Yellowstone are popular winter bases, depending on your itinerary.
What Should You Pack for Yellowstone in Winter?
Packing for Yellowstone in winter is all about staying warm, dry, and comfortable for long periods outdoors.
Here’s what you’ll want:
Winter clothing essentials
- Thermal base layers (top + bottom)
- Fleece or insulated midlayer
- Heavy winter coat or insulated shell
- Waterproof snow pants (highly recommended)
- Warm hat + neck gaiter
- Insulated gloves + backup pair
Footwear
- Waterproof winter boots with traction
- Wool socks (bring extras, wet feet are the worst!)
- Optional: traction spikes for icy walkways
Gear
- Hand warmers
- Sunglasses/snowglasses (snow glare can be gnarly in Yellowstone)
- Binoculars for wildlife
- Refillable water bottle + snacks
Even short walks in winter can feel intense without the right layers.
Advice from personal experience: even if you only think you’ll be outside for a few minutes or hours, dress and prepare as if you’ll be spending all day outside.
You never know what could happen.
Is Yellowstone Safe in Winter?
Yes—Yellowstone can be safe in winter, but only if you respect the conditions.
Winter travel risks include:
- Extreme cold and frostbite risk
- Icy roads and reduced visibility
- Limited services and reduced staffing
- Wildlife near roadways and trails
NPS emphasizes that winter trips require extra planning and that conditions can change quickly.
How to Stay Safe
- Start drives early and avoid rushing
- Keep extra food, water, and warm gear in your vehicle
- Don’t approach wildlife (especially bison near roads)
- Stay on boardwalks near thermal areas
- Check road status and tour conditions daily
Also, cell service can be spotty. Download maps (and your Shaka Guide tour!), keep your plans simple, and let someone know your route and when to expect you back.
How Long Should You Visit Yellowstone in Winter?
The ideal length of a winter trip to Yellowstone depends on what kind of experience you want, but 2–3 days is the sweet spot for most visitors.
That gives you enough time to explore the Northern Range by car—visiting Mammoth Hot Springs and spending unhurried time wildlife watching in Lamar Valley—while also fitting in an oversnow tour to places like Old Faithful.
An extra day gives you flexibility for weather, wildlife conditions, or activities like snowshoeing, which is especially helpful in winter when plans can shift.
Longer trips are great for deeper exploration, but for most people, a few well-paced days are enough to experience what makes Yellowstone in winter so memorable.
FAQs About Yellowstone National Park in Winter
Can you drive a normal car in Yellowstone in winter?
Yes, but only in limited areas. In winter, most Yellowstone roads are closed to regular vehicle traffic, and much of the park is only accessible by snowcoach or snowmobile. The main drivable area is the Northern Range via the North Entrance near Gardiner, Montana.
Does anything else close in Yellowstone during winter?
Yes—many roads, visitor services, and facilities close in winter. Only a small portion of Yellowstone is open to regular cars, and most lodging is closed except for the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins and Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Plan ahead and expect limited dining and services.
Are tours required for snowmobile access in Yellowstone?
Yes, during most of Yellowstone’s winter season, interior roads require approved oversnow travel, which usually means joining a guided snowmobile or snowcoach tour. You can ride without a guide, but only with a non-commercial snowmobile permit, limited to four per day and available through recreation.gov.
Are park passes valid in Yellowstone during winter?
Yes. Park passes are checked in winter. Yellowstone remains open year-round, and entrance fees still apply at open entrance stations. Rangers staff winter access points—especially the North Entrance near Gardiner—and you’ll be asked to show a valid park pass or pay the entrance fee.
Annual passes, including the America the Beautiful pass, are valid year-round as long as they’re active and you have the physical pass with you. If you’re entering the park on a snowcoach or snowmobile tour, the entrance fee is typically collected as part of the tour.
Explore Yellowstone with Shaka Guide
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Ready to explore Yellowstone?
Take Shaka Guide’s Yellowstone National Park Audio Tour for turn-by-turn directions, local stories, and the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Visiting more parks in the region?
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Still planning?
Check out our Yellowstone Itinerary and Know Before You Go guide to prep for your trip.
Have questions?
We’re happy to help — email us at aloha@shakaguide.com.
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