Yellowstone Winter Activities
Winter is a time when you can find solitude in Yellowstone National Park with only a handful of people instead of a thousand at Old Faithful Geyser. For cold weather fun, try these activities.
Most lodges inside both parks close for winter. Only Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Snow Lodge stay open in winter.
- Snowcoach Tours: Snowcoaches outfitted with special wheels, tracks, or skis take visitors into Yellowstone National Park’s interior in winter. They depart from Mammoth, West Yellowstone, and Flagg Ranch for day trips to Old Faithful and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Snowcoaches also convey riders from Mammoth or Flagg Ranch to Snow Lodge at Old Faithful for overnighting.
- Snowmobiling: Snowmobile day tours go from West Yellowstone, Mammoth, and Flagg Ranch into Yellowstone’s interior to Old Faithful and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
- Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding: Four downhill skiing and snowboarding areas are the big places to go in winter. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort flank opposite sides of the Teton Mountains, while the smaller Snow King Mountain borders the town of Jackson. Northeast of Yellowstone, Big Sky Resort offers a home base for skiing and exploring Yellowstone.
- Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing: Roads and trails in both national parks turn into cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. Rendezvous Trails in West Yellowstone Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky and Grand Targhee in Teton Valley groom trails for skate and classic skiing.
- Wildlife Watching: Sure, some animals migrate, but many are still out and about in the parks and wintering in areas adjacent to the parks. See bison, elk, wolves, coyote, moose, and raptors. Many animals winter in the Paradise Valley north of Gardiner and Yellowstone, while others go for lower elevations around West Yellowstone. The National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole is home to thousands of elk in winter, plus other wildlife.
- Sleigh Rides: You can bundle up and travel in old fashion style in sleigh rides. Find them in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Big Sky, Montana in winter.
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- Flexible itineraries: Adventure-packed ideas ranging from one day in each national park to a week-long road trip covering both
- The best hikes in Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Detailed descriptions, mileage and elevation gains, and backpacking options
- Experience the outdoors: Marvel at the steam-spewing Old Faithful geyser or take a horseback ride to panoramic lakeside views. Hike through alpine forests to rushing waterfalls and catch a glimpse of wild bison, elk, wolves, or bears. Bask in the colorful radiance of Grand Prismatic Spring or stroll the boardwalks along Mammoth Hot Springs. Climb to Inspiration Point for breathtaking views of Jackson Hole and Jenny Lake, explore the quirky nearby towns, or discover the best spots to hit the slopes during the winter season
- How to get there: Up-to-date information on gateway towns, park entrances, park fees, and tours
- Where to stay: Campgrounds, resorts, and more both inside and outside the park
- Planning tips: When to go, what to pack, safety information, and how to avoid the crowds, with full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
- Expertise and know-how: Explore both national parks with outdoors expert and former park guide Becky Lomax
- Helpful background on the indigenous cultures, landscape, plants and animals, and history of the region
Visiting more of North America's national parks? Try Moon Glacier National Park or Moon USA National Parks.
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