Visiting Yellowstone in Winter

Dec 20, 2024

Yellowstone in winter has a magical beauty that you won’t ever forget. Despite the harsh winter environment that kept anyone from settling year-round in the park for millennia, there’s now an opportunity to witness this beauty in comfort.

While there might be heavy snow and frigid temperatures in the park, we enjoy a milder winter here on the east side. However, we still have access to our wonderland neighbor from December 15 through March 15.

Entering Yellowstone by Snowmobile

Heading into Yellowstone by snowmobile requires a guide (unless you get a permit through the Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program).

From the East Entrance, we can get in via snowmobiles using Gary Fales Outfitting. They offer day trips to Old Faithful and Canyon and two- and three-day trips where you get to stay overnight in the park and explore other areas in winter. Your tour package includes everything to keep you warm, along with the snowmobile. Bringing a balaclava and little hotties are always a good idea as extra precautions against the cold. You will need to bring a park pass, lunch, and buy gas at the end of the day.

If you stay overnight, pack light, as the snowmobile’s luggage rack is smaller. But with both a backpack and a small overnight bag, it works well even for two people.

Yellowstone Snowmobile Tour Schedule:

  • Drive to the Trail Shop, a historic Yellowstone tour bus stop on the road to Yellowstone, just before you enter the National Forest. There, you’ll meet your guides, who will help you suit up and make sure you have everything you need.
  • Taking your gear, you’ll drive up to Pahaska, receive instructions about your snowmobile, and get ready to head in.
  • From there, you’ll start your snowmobile adventure at the East Gate where everyone can pay or show their entrance pass. Then, you’ll be off to Fishing Bridge to stop at the warming hut.
  • Your next stop depends on your itinerary. If you have booked a trip to Old Faithful, you will head south along Yellowstone Lake to West Thumb Geyser Basin where you can walk around the geyser basin before heading to Old Faithful. If your trip takes you to Canyon and Yellowstone Falls, you travel north from Fishing bridge along the Yellowstone River where there is a chance to see wildlife as well as hot spot activity before arriving at the Canyon and Falls.
  • If you take a day trip, you’ll head back the same route you arrived. If you booked overnight tours, you’ll head to Old Faithful Snow Lodge or West Yellowstone’s Stagecoach Inn.

Entering Yellowstone by Snowcoach

Unfortunately, we don’t have the option to enter Yellowstone via snowcoach from the East Entrance. This transportation method has been tried in the past, but one corner on Sylvan Pass caused issues, making snowmobiles the best option.

However, suppose you prefer or need a snowcoach to experience the magic of Yellowstone in winter. In that case, you can still use Cody as your base camp. Getting a snowcoach means heading up to the North Entrance either on your own or using Cody Shuttle to help as your concierge, who will arrange everything for your winter Western adventure!

You will meet your snowcoach early in the morning in Mammoth. Each coach will hold about 10 passengers. While heated, you will still want to bundle up as you stop to explore some of the sights along the way. Your luggage will travel separately on an over-the-snow luggage vehicle to be picked up when you arrive at Old Faithful Snow Lodge.

In Conclusion

Both ways of exploring Yellowstone in the winter are delightful and have advantages and disadvantages. Having experienced both ways multiple times, I can say that snowmobiles offer a freedom that definitely adds to the entire adventure. But the one constant has been the magical experience of this hidden season in Yellowstone.

Janet Jones
Owner of Cody Journal and SnowMoon Photography

Janet has a rich history in Cody with her grandparents moving here in the late 1930s. Her grandfather started Wyoming Well Service. Janet is a writer, photographer, graphic designer and webmaster. Cody Journal and Cody Calendar blends her skills and talents with her love of the area.

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