Yellowstone is known for its winter of short days, deep snow and cold temperatures. Nevertheless, it is a winter wonderland with plenty of winter scenery, wildlife, and beautiful views to make it worth the trek.
Road Closures
The only road that remains open to wheeled traffic by park visitors during the winter is the road from the North Entrance at Gardiner to the Northeast Entrance on the way to Cooke City. Visitors can also enter the park via guided snowmobile and snowcoach tours offered by park vendors at other entrances. The park also permits four unguided groups of snowmobilers to enter the park daily, one from each oversnow entrance. For additional information, check out the park’s Non-commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program. Permits are awarded through a lottery system and unclaimed or canceled permits are made available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Lodging and Accommodations
There are two lodges open in Yellowstone National Park during winter. From mid-December until early March, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel are open for visitors. They are both temporarily closed before and after the winter season
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins is the only park hotel accessible by car during the winter. It was built in 1883 and has 141 rooms. It is inside the northwest corner of the park near the town of Gardiner, Montana.
The Snow Lodge and Cabins sits in the Upper Geyser Basin and is accessible only via snowcoach. It provides access to geysers such as Old Faithful and the surrounding area by snowshoes, skis or snowcoach.
The only campground at Yellowstone that is open year round is the Mammoth Hot Springs Campground. There are 85 sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis (no reservations accepted) for both tents and RVs. It is located five miles south of Gardiner, Montana and the park’s North Entrance.
Outside the park, there is lodging available near the North and West Entrances in Gardiner and West Yellowstone. The South and East Entrances have accommodations available approximately 50 miles from the entrances.
Winter Wildlife
Winter is one of the best times to see a wolf in Yellowstone because they are easier to spot against the snow than in the summer. They are found in the Lamar Valley and the Northern Range. If you have your heart set on seeing your first wolf, consider one of the tours offered for this purpose.
Other winter wildlife seen in the park include bison, elk, bighorn sheep and trumpeter swans.