Yellowstone in Winter: The Open Road, Snowcoaches and Gateway Towns
In winter, Yellowstone's only road open to cars runs from Gardiner to Cooke City. How snowcoach and snowmobile trips work and how to reach both gateways.
In winter, the only Yellowstone road open to regular cars is the northern route from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley to the Northeast Entrance and Cooke City. Every other park road closes to wheeled vehicles in early November, and from about mid-December to mid-March they are groomed for snowcoaches and snowmobiles only. To see Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in winter, you book an oversnow trip, most often from West Yellowstone or from Mammoth.
Which Yellowstone road stays open in winter?
The Gardiner to Cooke City road, roughly 50 miles (80 km), is plowed all year. It passes Mammoth Hot Springs, Blacktail Plateau, Tower Junction and the Lamar Valley, which is one of the best places in the park to look for wolves, bison and elk in winter. The road can close for a few hours or longer during storms and drifting snow, so check conditions the morning you drive.
Cooke City sits at the end of the open road. The Beartooth Highway beyond it closes for the winter, so in practice Cooke City is a dead end for cars, and the only plowed way in and out is back through the park.
The rest of the park follows a seasonal pattern:
- Early November: interior roads close to cars so crews can prepare them for snow travel.
- Mid-December: groomed roads open to commercially guided snowcoaches and snowmobiles.
- Early to mid-March: oversnow travel ends section by section, and spring plowing begins.
- Spring: roads reopen to cars in stages through April and May.
Exact dates change each year and some road sections close earlier than others, so confirm the current season on the National Park Service Yellowstone site before you plan. For a wider look at parks that stay drivable in the cold months, see our guide to national parks in winter and which roads stay open.
How do snowcoach trips work?
A snowcoach is a van or small bus fitted with tracks or very large low-pressure tires, run by a park-authorized tour company. You do not drive yourself. Day tours usually leave West Yellowstone or Mammoth in the morning and return in the afternoon, with stops at geyser basins, waterfalls and wildlife viewing areas.
- Common routes go from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful, from Mammoth to Old Faithful, and to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
- Coaches are heated, and guides explain the geology and wildlife along the way.
- Some trips drop overnight guests at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, the main place to stay in the park’s interior in winter.
- Book weeks or months ahead for holiday periods and February weekends, which fill first.
Snowcoaches suit families, photographers carrying gear and anyone who would rather stay warm between stops.
How do snowmobile trips work?
Snowmobiles in Yellowstone are tightly managed. Most riders join a guided group with a commercial outfitter, which supplies the machines, helmets, cold-weather suits and boots. Groups travel in a line behind the guide at set speed limits and must stay on groomed roads.
The park also runs a small permit program that lets non-commercial groups ride with a trained group leader. Permits are limited and awarded by lottery, so most visitors use an outfitter. Machines must meet the park’s standards for noise and emissions, which rental fleets in the gateway towns are set up to meet.
A full-day snowmobile ride can cover 60 to 100 miles (95 to 160 km) round trip. Air temperatures and wind chill on a moving sled are much colder than standing still, so dress in layers and use the outfitter’s gear.
How do you get to Gardiner in winter?
Gardiner is the easiest winter gateway to reach by car. Most visitors fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, take I-90 east to Livingston, then follow US-89 south through the Paradise Valley to Gardiner. The drive is about 80 miles (130 km) and usually takes around 1.5 hours in good conditions. US-89 is a main highway and is plowed, but snow, ice and wind can slow it down.
From Gardiner you can drive yourself into the park on the open northern road, or join a snowcoach or snowmobile tour from Mammoth to the interior.
How do you get to West Yellowstone in winter?
West Yellowstone is the busiest base for snowmobile and snowcoach tours. You can drive there, but you cannot drive from it into the park in winter: the West Entrance road is open to oversnow vehicles only.
- From Bozeman, US-191 runs south through the Gallatin Canyon, about 90 miles (145 km). The canyon is narrow and winding and is often icy.
- From Idaho Falls, US-20 runs north and east for about 110 miles (175 km), crossing Targhee Pass.
- The small airport at West Yellowstone does not have commercial flights in winter, so plan on driving from Bozeman or Idaho Falls.
Check the National Weather Service forecast and state road reports before driving either route. A vehicle with all-wheel or four-wheel drive and good winter tires is the safer choice. To estimate fuel for the drive between gateways and airports, our road trip gas cost calculator works out the cost from distance and mileage.
What should you pack for a winter trip to Yellowstone?
Daytime highs in much of the park are often between 0 and 20°F (about -18 to -7°C), and nights regularly drop below zero. Pack for the cold even if you plan to stay in a coach:
- Insulated boots, wool or synthetic socks and a spare pair
- Base layers, a fleece or down mid-layer and a windproof outer shell
- Warm hat, neck gaiter, mittens or insulated gloves and sunglasses for snow glare
- Extra phone and camera batteries, since cold drains them quickly
- A winter car kit for the drive: blanket, shovel, water, snacks and a full tank
Stay on boardwalks in thermal areas, where thin crust can hide scalding water, and give bison and other animals plenty of room, especially when they use plowed roads to save energy.
Quick answers
Can you drive to Old Faithful in winter?
No. The road to Old Faithful is closed to cars in winter. You reach it by guided snowcoach or snowmobile, or by booking a stay at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, which includes oversnow transport.
Is Yellowstone open in winter?
Yes. The park stays open all year, but in winter only the northern road between Gardiner and Cooke City is open to private vehicles.
Which is better in winter, Gardiner or West Yellowstone?
Gardiner is better if you want to drive yourself and watch wildlife in the Lamar Valley. West Yellowstone is better for snowmobiling and the shortest oversnow trips to the geyser basins.
Can you visit Yellowstone from the south in winter?
The South Entrance road is closed to cars in winter. Some outfitters run oversnow trips from that side, but most visitors start from the north or west.
