Yellowstone National Park Opens for the Winter Season on December 15!

The winter season in Yellowstone National Park begins tomorrow, Sunday, December 15. If you haven’t visited Yellowstone in the winter, put it on your bucket list! Dressed in its winter whites with fewer visitors and very few vehicles, the Park takes on a magical feel. The sheer vastness becomes more apparent, and the thermal features more pronounced.

Most Park roads are closed to vehicles and can be accessed through guided snowcoach or snowmobile tours, snowshoes, or cross-country skis. If you plan to stay in West Yellowstone, plenty of these options exist. Also, check out the Kids ‘N’ Snow weekends in West Yellowstone, where kids and their parents can experience winter activities such as cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and ice fishing, all within a safe environment. You’ll want to check out the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, where you can learn about bears, wolves, river otters, birds of prey, and ground squirrels.



If you plan to explore Yellowstone’s North and Northeast sides, you’ll want to stay in Gardiner, Silver Gate, or Cooke City. The road between these quaint mountain towns is the only road in Yellowstone that stays open to vehicles throughout the winter. It’s also a great area for wildlife watching – you’ll find bison, elk, and, if you’re lucky, the elusive wolves, who are much easier to spot with their coats against the snowy backdrop.

Gardiner is a great base if you’re planning on wildlife watching, photography, or Nordic skiing tours. It’s also just up the road from Yellowstone Hot Springs, a lovely place to relax after a day of exploring!

A stay in Cooke City or Silver Gate is especially unique. In the winter, the town is tucked up at the end of the road. It generally receives a lot of snow that can last late into the spring and is a favorite for backcountry skiers, snowmobilers, and ice climbers.

Of course, there’s the option to stay within the Park, as both Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel stay open with on-site dining and ice skating rinks with free skate rentals!

Wherever you plan to stay, Yellowstone National Park has a few points to remember to make your stay as smooth as possible.

Top Things to Know about Visiting Yellowstone in Winter

 

Most Park Roads are Closed to Automobiles

• The only roads open year-round are between the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, and the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana (via Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction, and Lamar Valley). Anticipate possible road closures due to quickly changing weather and dangerous driving conditions. Check the road status map before you arrive. Drive cautiously and give plenty of space to snow plows. Do not stop, stand, or walk in the road. Use a turnout if you need to stop for any reason.  

Want to See Old Faithful?

• Park partners, concessioners, and authorized businesses offer a variety of guided tours throughout the Park during the winter months.  

Services are Limited

• Most facilities are closed during winter. Check winter operating dates to see which visitor centers, stores, restaurants, lodges, and warming huts are open.

Camping and Lodging

• Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel are open during winter. Make reservations as far in advance as possible. Lodging is also available in nearby communities. The Mammoth Campground offers limited first-come, first-served camping.

Prepare for Winter Conditions

• Winter temperatures range from zero to 20°F (-20°C to -5°C) throughout the day. Sub-zero temperatures are common, especially at night and at higher elevations. Check current weather conditions, pack proper clothing and equipment, and review winter safety tips.

Do Not Approach or Feed Wildlife

• Animals have the right of way. Expect to encounter bison and other wildlife on park roads. Slow down or pull over until they pass or move off the road. Stay 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves and 25 yards (23 m) from all other wildlife. The safest way to view wildlife is through a telephoto lens, a spotting scope, or a pair of binoculars. Store food properly, and be aware that in some areas, ravens have learned to unzip backpacks to obtain their contents.

Stay on Boardwalks

• People have been severely injured or killed by breaking through thin ground in thermal basins or falling into hot springs. Exercise caution and wear traction aids over footwear when navigating snowy or icy boardwalks.

Enhance Your Experience

• Download the free National Park Service App (and offline content) before you arrive.

Connectivity is Limited

• You will likely not receive calls or texts, even in the few areas with cell reception. Free public Wi-Fi is available at the Albright Visitor Center in Mammoth Hot Springs.