When we think of Yellowstone we typically see the beautiful geysers, scenery, wildlife, and unique geology. However, visiting the park during winter is a completely different and unique experience. Yellowstone National Park closes roads to car traffic during these months, and the only way to explore the park is through a guided snowcoach or snowmobile tour. We LOVED our experience with Yellowstone Vacations. Our experienced guides taught us so much about the wildlife, geology and history of the region while showcasing the highlights of Yellowstone National Park.

Best Airport To Use 

We recommend flying into Bozeman International Airport when visiting Yellowstone National Park. Bozeman is located about 2 hours from the West Yellowstone entrance to Yellowstone National Park!

Where To Stay 

We stayed at the Explorer Cabins, located in West Yellowstone. These cabins were right in downtown West Yellowstone and conveniently located minutes from the park’s entrance. The Explorer Cabins in the snow truly felt like a magical winter escape and we can’t recommend them enough.

How to Experience Yellowstone in Winter

Day 1 – Snowcoach Tour to Old Faithful

For day 1 of our adventures, we took a guided snowcoach tour of the park with Yellowstone Vacations. Our snowcoach picked us up at 8am from the Gray Wolf Inn & Suites, a quick walk from our cabin, and we were off! Within minutes, we were greeted by the snow-dusted pine trees and bison herds of Yellowstone National Park. Our tour guide, Gypsy, took us to multiple iconic stops. As we arrived at each, we were given plenty of time to exit the coach and explore!

In between stops, we had our eyes glued out the window and our ears locked in to the interpretive teachings from our guide. It was also nice to have a nice place to warm-up from the cold. We had such a fun experience; it was both relaxed and exciting. An amazing way to be welcomed to Yellowstone National Park!

Where To Eat in West Yellowstone 

We ended our first day with a satisfying and delicious dinner at The Branch Restaurant & Bar. We highly recommend the bison stroganoff for a hearty meal that is unique to this region.

Day 2 – Snowmobiling Tour to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Day 2 was time for more fast-paced adventure! This was our first time snowmobiling, so don’t worry if you’re a beginner! We met up at the Yellowstone Vacations headquarters in West Yellowstone first thing in the morning to get fitted for all of our snow gear. Snowsuits, boots, gloves, and helmets are all provided! Cruising through the winter wonderland of snow covered roads, trees, and mountains was epic! We were able to cover a lot of ground during the day and see so many amazing sights, especially the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This experience was hands down our favorite tour we’ve ever done in all our years of traveling.

If you’re on the fence about visiting Yellowstone National Park during the winter, we’re here to tell you it’s a must-do experience. It’s absolutely a bucket list adventure that you will never forget. Yellowstone Vacations went above and beyond as a guide service and exceeded our expectations. There are so many pros to visiting this park during the winter, from the roaming wildlife, smaller crowds, and the dramatic scenery. Between the relaxed feel of a snowcoach, to the fast adventure of a snowmobile, you can find a tour that fits everyone in your group! Take this as your sign to book a trip here during the winter asap!