Explore in Winter

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Yellowstone offers lots of different ways to enjoy winter. Learn more and start planning your next winter adventure right here!

 

Winter in Yellowstone means fewer crowds, frigid temperatures, and steaming geyser basins. Skis, snowshoes, snowcoaches, and snowmobiles become the primary modes of transportation as roads close, rivers and lakes freeze, and winter storms blanket the park with fluffy, white snow.

Restricted vehicle access and limited services make winter visits far different than the summer experience. Every year in early November, most park roads close to regular traffic to prepare for the winter season. The only exception is the road between Mammoth Hot Springs and the northeast entrance, which is open to regular traffic all year (the road is closed east of Cooke City, Montana). Around mid-December, roads open to limited snowmobile and snowcoach travel. This means the only way to visit Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and other popular destinations during winter is by guided snowmobile or snowcoach, or through the non-commercially guided snowmobile access program. Winter travel ends in mid-March, when plowing crews begin clearing a winter’s worth of snow. Roads start re-opening to automobiles in mid-April.

Most stores, restaurants, campgrounds, and lodges are closed during winter. Warming huts at Fishing Bridge, West Thumb, Old Faithful Yurts, Madison, and Indian Creek will be open but not staffed.

Park partners and concessioners may offer a variety of guided trips throughout the park during the winter months. Authorized and permitted businesses also offer guided tours for a variety of activities.

 

2020–2021 Winter Facilities and Services

All opening and closing dates are subject to change based on future conditions and public health guidance. Capacities will be limited per CDC guidance. We will continue to evaluate and adapt to changing COVID-19 guidance and adjust operations as needed.

These are still tentative, and may change as the season approaches. Anything not included in this list is closed during the winter.

 

Warming Huts

Shelter for skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers.

Warming Hut	Staff	Food	Water	Restroom	Hours	First Day	Last Day
Canyon Visitor Education Center Lobby	No	Yes1	Yes	Yes	9 am–3 pm	December 15	March 14*
Fishing Bridge	No	No	No	Yes	24 hours	December 15	March 15*
Indian Creek	No	No	No	Yes	24 hours	December 15	March 1*
Madison	No	Yes1,2	Yes	Yes	24 hours	December 15	March 15
Mammoth Hot Springs3	No	Yes1	No	No	Daylight hours	December 16	March 1*
Old Faithful Yurts	No	No	No	Yes	Daylight hours	December 15	March 15*
West Thumb	No	No	No	Yes	24 hours	December 15	March 15*

* - Dates are tentative and subject to change
¹ - Vending machine snacks available 24 hours a day
² - Light snacks and hot drinks sold during the day
³ - Snowmobile fuel available

 

Canyon

Facility	Hours	First Day	Last Day
Canyon Yurt Camp	7 days a week	December 19	March 6
Canyon Service Station (Credit card fueling for snowmobiles available 24 hours)
Fishing Bridge Service Station (Credit card fueling for snowmobiles available 24 hours)

 

Mammoth Hot Springs to the Northeast Entrance

This is the only part of the park open to wheeled vehicles. The road is open up to Cooke City, Montana, after which the road is closed (no through-traffic to Red Lodge, Montana or Cody, Wyoming). Services are very limited between Mammoth Hot Springs and Cooke City, Montana.

Facility	Hours	First Day	Last Day
Albright Visitor Center	TBD
Mammoth Campground	7 days a week	Year-round
Mammoth Clinic 307-344-7965	8:30 am–5 pm (M–Th) 8:30 am–1 pm (F) Closed weekends & holidays	Year-round
Mammoth General Store	7 days a week1	Year-round
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins
Dining Room	7 days a week	December 15	March 1
Gift Shop	7 days a week	December 15	March 1
Lodging	7 days a week	December 15	March 1
Map Room Barista/Bar	6:30 am–2 pm	December 15	March 1
Ski Shop	7 days a week	December 15	March 1
Mammoth Service Station (credit card fueling available 24 hours)
Post Office	7 days a week	Year-round
Tower-Roosevelt Emergency Phone (Between service station and restrooms)
Tower-Roosevelt Service Station (credit card fueling available 24 hours)

¹ - Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day

 

Old Faithful

Facility	Hours	First Day	Last Day
Old Faithful Snow Lodge
Old Faithful Bear Den Gift Shop	7 days a week	December 15	March 15
Old Faithful Geyser Grill	7 days a week	December 15	March 15
Lodging	CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Cabins	CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center (Restrooms Only Open)	TBD
Old Faithful Service Station (Credit card fueling for snowmobiles available 24 hours)
Grant Service Station (Credit card fueling for snowmobiles available 24 hours)

 

West Yellowstone

Facility	Hours	First Day	Last Day
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center
Chamber of Commerce	8 am–5 pm (Weekdays)	Year-round
NPS Desk	8 am–4 pm (Weekdays)	CLOSED FOR THE SEASON