Visiting Yellowstone in Winter
Yes! You can (and should) visit Yellowstone in winter - IT"S OPEN!!
The West entrance to Yellowstone National Park will open for over-the-snow visitors as of Wednesday, December 19, 2007 and is scheduled to remain open through Sunday, March 10, 2008.
It's as magical and magnificent as ever. Although there are some changes in exactly how folks can visit, it's an experience not to be missed whether for the first time or the fiftieth.
Snowcoach seats are available for every sized group, up to 400 commercially guided four-stroke snowmobiles CAN enter Yellowstone every day from the West entrance and, as always, muscle powered activities are welcomed.
STAY INFORMED: Winter Use Plan and EIS
Yellowtone and Grand Teton Natinal Parks:
For more Winter Use Information information click
here: or call 307-244-2019
Yellowstone Park's West Entrance Winter Season Dates
Scheduled closing for the summer season is November 4,
2007
Scheduled opening for over-the-snow traffic is December 19, 2007
Scheduled closing for over-the-snow traffic is March 10, 2008
Scheduled opening for vehicle travel is April 18, 2008
**Park Entrance Fees**
As always, all visitors pay an entrance fee to Yellowstone and there are several options:
$10.00 per person visiting by snowcoach for one day and
$20 for multiple days up to 7 days or a $20 family pass (spouses and
children under 21 residing in the same household) good for 7 days; unless
you already possess an Annual, National Parks Pass.
$15.00 per snowmobile for a single day or $20.00 per snowmobile for
up to seven consecutive days unless you already possess an Annual National
Parks Pass.
For complete details on all Park Entrance Pass' contact Yellowstone National Park at (307) 344-2107 or click here for Yellowstone's Web site.
**This fee is typically seperate from your snowmobile rental fee.
To visit by snowshoes or cross-country skis
There are two options. You can travel with one of our fine snowcoach tour operators who provide skier and snowshoe "drop" (this means they drop you for a portion of the tour and re-connect with you later in the tour).
You can go"backcountry." Check with the National Park service for details by going to their web site at nps.gov/yell or call 307-344-2107
To visit by snowcoach
Snowcoaches are over-the-snow vehicles that accommodate approximately 10-20 passengers. Simply make your reservations with any one of our fine Snowcoach Operators Click Here.
To visit by snowmobile
Yellowstone National Park has announced the winter use plan for the winter seasons of 2004 through 2007. This plan allows 4-stroke snowmobiles, commercially guided and in limited numbers (400 from the West Entrance). Click here for Yellowstone Snowmobile Operators.
As of this Moment...
Yellowstone Park
The West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is closed
to wheeled vehicle travel and will reopen to over-the-snow travel on
December 19, 2007. Meaning you can travel by snowmobile, snow coach,
cross country ski or snow shoe into Yellowstone. With the exception
of the road from Gardner Montana to Cooke City which is open year round;
a one way in and one way out to Cooke City. Yellowstone's west entrance
will remain open until March 10, 2008, for over the snow travel. It
will then close to prepare to open for wheeled vehicle travel on April
18, 2008.
Yes! You can (and should) use the recreational opportunities
that the Gallatin and Targhee National Forest Lands have to offer
Cross-country ski, Snowmobile or
Snowshoe activities are all available
Outside of Yellowstone on trails.
West Yellowstone connects with more than 400 miles of snowmobile trails in the Gallatin and Targhee National Forests. And has world class cross-country skiing primarily on renown Rendezvous Trail System at 40K Guided snowshoe tours are available from both the Park Service and the National Forest Service.
The following describes ways to visit Yellowstone in the winter from West Yellowstone. Recreating in the Forest Service lands outside of Yellowstone remains unchanged with the exception of out of state registrations.
Refer to this website for lodging, winter tours, restaurants, attractions, shopping and more.
Out of State Snowmobilers Required
to Register Sleds for Forest Service Trail Riding
Montana, Idaho and Wyoming each require non-resident snowmobiles to be registered. These are annual registrations.
To enjoy great riding from West Yellowstone, both Montana and Idaho registrations are a good idea. Wyoming is far less needed because trails into that state are fairly limited.
Montana non-resident registrations are $25.00 per snowmobile and can be purchased in advance at fwp.mt.gov (available in season only)
Idaho non-resident registration is $32.50 per snowmobile. They can be purchased in advanced by calling: 800-247-6332
Both registrations are available for "in person"
purchase at locations in West Yellowstone including the Visitors Center
at 30 Yellowstone Avenue.
West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce
406-646-7701
