Even if you have visited Yellowstone National Park in the summer months, we highly recommend visiting in the winter months to experience the area covered in snow without the crowds. Get ready to feel like you have the entire park to yourself. Between the middle of December and the middle of March, the only way to see most of the park is by snowmobile or snow coach. The only road into the park that is maintained for passenger cars is between Gardiner, Montana and Cooke City, Montana. A trip to Yellowstone during the winter months requires planning and a professional guide to view the major sites and to reach the winter hotels and facilities open during the offseason.
Getting There
The nearest airports to Yellowstone National Park are Bozeman, Montana; Jackson, Wyoming; and Cody, Wyoming. From these locations, plan to enter the park from one of the following entrances:
- East Entrance Gate in East Yellowstone, Wyoming: Located 50 miles west of Cody, Wyoming
- North Entrance Gate in Gardner, Montana: Located 85 miles from Bozeman, Montana
- South Entrance Gate: Located 50 miles north of Jackson, Wyoming
- West Entrance Gate: Located 90 miles south of Bozeman, Montana
Each of the airports have rental car and taxi services for transportation to Yellowstone National Park. At each of the park gates, you can organize a snow coach or snowmobile tour to continue your adventure into the park.
Tour Options
There are many tour options available, especially if you book in advance. Most visitors choose a day tour to the Old Faithful or Grand Canyon of Yellowstone areas.
- Snow coach tours cover 50-100 miles round-trip depending upon where you enter the park. There will be plenty of stops along the way to view wildlife and other sites along the way.
- Snowmobiling is another popular option to consider while visiting Yellowstone in the winter months. Choose from one-day or multi-day itineraries for this extremely unique national park experience.
Lodging Options
During the summer months there are over 2,000 rooms available in Yellowstone National Park. The winter season is more limited, but you have two great options for in-park lodging:
- Old Faithful Snow Lodge – located very close to Old Faithful Geyser and the Geyser Hill area
- Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel – located near the North entrance near Gardner, Montana
Activities in the Park
Most of the visitor’s centers and park facilities are closed during the winter months; however, there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy during your visit. Equipment can be rented at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel or near the park entrances.
Here are a few options during your stay in Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding areas:
- Cross Country Skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Fat Tire Biking
- Dog Sledding
- Ice Fishing
