3 Ways to Explore Yellowstone in the Winter

Yellowstone National Park is a remarkable place to visit any time of year. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people flock to the 2.2 million acre national park, which reaches across the states of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, to experience amazing landscapes, incredible wildlife, and some of the United States’ most unusual terrain. 

While most tourists prefer to come during the summer season, there are special benefits to visiting in wintertime, including fewer crowds, different recreation opportunities, and the chance to see the park’s pristine beauty under a blanket of ice and snow. Here are three wonderful ways to explore Yellowstone if you’re visiting in the winter months. 

Cross-Country Skiing / Snowshoeing

Visiting Yellowstone becomes a more authentic, 3D experience when you’re not just viewing it from the sidelines. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are a fun and low impact way to get into the picture and take in the park’s amazing scenery from 360 degrees. A huge perk of adventuring on foot through Yellowstone is the time factor. You can choose to fill an hour or two gap during your day or spend your whole week-long trip on a cross-country skiing journey. Yellowstone offers miles of room to explore, and trails that will appeal to beginners and advanced recreationists alike. If you’re new to these activities, guided excursions are a great choice. Check out Yellowstone Expeditions or Yellowstone Guidelines for a few options. If you decide to head out on your own, be sure to plan ahead, follow trail etiquette, and check the weather and snow conditions before beginning your trek.

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling through Yellowstone is an exhilarating, one-of-a-kind experience. There’s nothing quite like gliding over a blanket of white as you take in the Park’s wild and wonderful features, and get up close and personal (but not too close) with wildlife. If you’re new to snowmobiling, it’s actually easier to sign up for a guided tour through the park: follow this link for a complete list of authorized snowmobile and snowcoach companies. But unguided access is also available, if you plan ahead and get a little bit lucky. Access is limited and permits are awarded by lottery during the month of August. Click here for more information. 

Snowcoach Tours

Snowcoaches are large, tank-like vehicles that can easily tackle the snowy terrain of Yellowstone in winter, giving tourists the feeling of an adventurous, off-roading experience as they sit safely in a warm and comfortable environment. Sounds fabulous, right? Snowcoaches provide tours to some of the most remote and beautiful areas of Yellowstone during the winter, which only a handful of people get to experience. They are also perfect for people with disabilities or limitations that may prevent them from accessing traditional ways of getting into the park. If you want to try a snowcoach adventure, booking a guided excursion is the way to go. Check out the US Parks’ Yellowstone Adventures or Yellowstone Vacations to get started. 

If you’ve never considered visiting Yellowstone in winter, we hope we’ve opened your mind to the possibilities. These are just a few exciting and unique ways to explore the park in winter, and create memories to last a lifetime. To start planning your Yellowstone getaway in winter or summer, check out our extensive guide at VisitBozeman.com.

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