Why is it a good idea to visit Yellowstone in the winter?

A remarkable 4.9 million people are expected to visit Yellowstone National Park that year, making it one of the most visited parks in the United States. It has gained widespread acceptance for good cause. Old Faithful, which has erupted every 44 minutes to two hours since the year 2000, is only one of the park’s many geysers. The Yellowstone Caldera, the continent’s biggest supervolcano, is also located inside the park.

Yellowstone’s terrain is vast and breathtaking, with rivers winding through deep valleys and towering mountains providing an otherworldly setting for any adventure. The park’s vast wildness is home to some of the biggest and most well-known megafauna in the nation, including as bears, wolves, and herds of bison and elk, all of which are often sighted by park visitors.

While the summer is when most people visit the park, the snow doesn’t diminish the area’s natural beauty or awe. Between the months of December and March, the park naturally transforms into a peaceful winter paradise, with fewer visitors and more open area to enjoy. It’s possible that visiting Yellowstone in the winter is the park’s best-kept secret. An alternative strategy and some more labor are needed, but the payoff is a memorable vacation.What follows is essential information for anybody planning a winter trip to Yellowstone.

How to Access Yellowstone in the Winter

You can drive all around the park while it’s warm out, but things change dramatically when snow starts falling. The roads are covered with snow, and avalanche risk is high. The road connecting Yellowstone’s North and Northeast Entrances is the only area of the park accessible by automobile all year, and even then, only during daylight hours. Do not drive into the park without first seeing the park’s road condition map.

Skis, snowshoes, snowmobiles, and snow buses are the ideal ways to explore the park in the winter. This means of transportation provides a novel park experience and brings visitors closer to the scenery and wildlife. Oversnow travel often concludes by the middle of March, and roads begin reopening to vehicles by the middle of April.

Skiing and Snowshoeing in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park transforms into a winter wonderland for skiers and snowshoers. There are countless kilometers of route, some of which follow a predetermined path and others of which you will need to blaze. Unplowed roads are accessible to skiers and snowshoers as well.

Mammoth Hot Springs, located not far from the park’s northern entrance, is the usual starting point for skiers and snowshoers. The Bear Den Ski Shop in Mammoth Hot Springs, as well as outfitters outside the park, rent ski and snowshoe equipment. You should check with a park ranger to make sure the trails are open and safe before setting out on an unguided adventure.

Go on a guided tour if you’re a beginner or don’t feel confident in your knowledge of avalanche safety. The guide will take care of everything you need to have a winter adventure in the mountains, including gear, entry into the park, and general safety.

Snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park

Snowmobiling around Yellowstone National Park is one of the coolest (and most enjoyable) things to do in the winter. Since only four non-commercially led groups are permitted each day (and a permit is necessary), most visitors choose for a guided tour.

Fortunately, the park has a plethora of outfitters who are familiar with the terrain and can lead you to untracked powder areas. There are several snowmobile and snow coach outfitters in the region if you don’t feel like braving the conditions on your own.

How to See Old Faithful

The winter eruption of Old Faithful is a spectacular sight. The beauty of this powerful (and on-time) geyser is best appreciated when covered in new snow and devoid of any visitors.

Getting there in the winter, however, requires a reservation with a snowmobile or snow bus company, rather than just driving yourself. There will be less people and the contrast of the fire explosion against the icy landscape will be striking.

Where to Stay in Yellowstone During the Winter

The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge are the only two hotels inside the park that are open throughout the winter, and the latter is only reachable via over-snow transit. Make your reservation as soon as possible as both hotels have a limited number of available rooms. Accommodations in Gardiner, Silver Gate, and Cooke City, Montana, are also an option.

Mammoth Hot Springs, located about 5 miles south of the park’s north entrance, has a year-round tent campsite if you’re willing to rough it. Keep in mind that the campsite is closed until January 1, 2023 due to floods in June, so services will be restricted during that time.

What to Pack

What you wear to Yellowstone National Park in the winter will be quite different from what you wear in the summer. At night and at higher altitudes, temperatures can drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit throughout the winter.

Overheating leads to a cold that may be difficult to shake, so dressing in layers is essential. Don’t forget your long johns, wool sweater, down coat, and windproof and waterproof outerwear (such GoreTex leggings and a GoreTex jacket). Socks made of synthetic materials or wool, gloves or mittens, a thick winter cap, and waterproof gaiters are also recommended.

Bring sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen since the sun will be beaming even if it may become quite cold.