Snowmobiling in Yellowstone: Is It Worth It? (Our Honest Take + What to Expect)

yellowstone

Feb 26

Written By Kelly W

Snowmobiling in Yellowstone is an absolute blast. With most of Yellowstone’s interior roads closed to regular vehicles in winter, snowmobiling is one of the few ways to reach places like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

For some, snowmobiling through Yellowstone is a bucket-list experience. It’s a chance to glide through frozen geyser basins, watch Old Faithful erupt without summer crowds, and experience the park at 40+ mph. For others, it might sound cold, expensive, or like more effort than it’s worth.

So is it actually worth booking a snowmobile tour, or are there better ways to experience Yellowstone in winter? Let’s break down what it’s really like to snowmobile in Yellowstone National Park so you can decide whether to book it or skip it.

This guide focuses specifically on whether snowmobiling is the right way for you to experience Yellowstone in winter. For a full breakdown of what’s open, where to stay, and how winter travel works, see our Yellowstone in Winter planning guide.

Table of Contents

What’s it like to snowmobile through Yellowstone?

Before our tour even started, our guide casually said, “It’s not if you see bison, it’s when.” And, he wasn’t wrong.

Bison are everywhere in Yellowstone in winter. During our snowmobile tour, we rode past multiple herds, once with them walking right alongside us on the road. It was one of the coolest Yellowstone experiences we’ve ever had. We’ve seen bison plenty of times from inside a car, but being that close without the barrier of a windshield is a completely different feeling. You’re moving slowly, following your guide, giving the animals plenty of space, but they’re still these massive, wild animals. When one is less than ten feet away, it’s a thrill like no other.

And it wasn’t just bison. At one point, we watched a coyote walk down a snowy hillside and cross the road right in front of us. We took in Artist Point with just our small group of snowmobilers, no crowds, no lines, no one blocking the view. Hayden Valley was empty of cars and people, looking almost unrecognizable compared to summer.

That’s one of the best things about snowmobiling in Yellowstone. Because the roads are closed to regular vehicles, almost all the tracks you see in the snow belong to wildlife. We followed bison tracks right to where they were grazing. We spotted fox, coyote, and even wolf tracks that we never would have noticed from inside a car. In winter, you get a quiet, behind-the-scenes look at how animals actually move through the park. This isn’t available any other time of year.

Overall, snowmobiling is one of the most adventurous, immersive ways to experience Yellowstone in winter. It gives you access to places like Old Faithful, Artist Point, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in a season when the park feels completely different from anything you’ll see in summer.

snowmobiler riding groomed trail lined by pine trees

Highlights of a Yellowstone Snowmobile Tour

Snowmobiling isn’t just about the ride. It’s about where it takes you in a season when most of Yellowstone is completely closed to regular vehicles. In winter, snowmobiles are one of the few ways to reach the park’s interior, which means you get access to some of Yellowstone’s most famous places in a totally different setting.

Most snowmobile tours focus on one of two routes: Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Old Faithful Snowmobile Tour

This is the classic Yellowstone snowmobile experience. You ride from West Yellowstone through frozen geyser basins and wide-open landscapes to Old Faithful itself, where you can watch it erupt surrounded by snow and steam instead of summer crowds. It’s the most popular snowmobile tour in the park for a reason.

If Old Faithful is high on your list, we have a full step-by-step guide to how winter access works in our Old Faithful in Winter post.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Snowmobile Tour

This is the route we personally did, and it was incredible. You ride through a winter wonderland to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, with stops at overlooks that look out over the Lower Falls, colorful canyon walls, and wide, snowy valleys. On our trip, we also visited Artist Point and drove through Hayden Valley, which felt completely different without summer traffic.

What you see on this route depends on weather, visibility, and trail conditions, but when everything lines up, it’s one of the most beautiful ways to experience Yellowstone in winter.

💡 RTL Tip: We personally loved snowmobiling to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and taking a snowcoach to Old Faithful.

Self-guided vs Guided Snowmobile Tours

There are technically two ways to snowmobile in Yellowstone: self-guided or guided. In reality, almost everyone ends up on a guided tour, and for good reason.

Self-guided snowmobiling is allowed, but it comes with a long list of hurdles. You need a permit, which is issued in very limited numbers and often has to be secured well in advance. You also need a non-polluting, park-approved snowmobile. This option really only makes sense for people who already own the right machine and are very experienced winter riders.

Guided snowmobile tours are what most visitors use. They include the snowmobile, all the winter gear, and a guide who knows the routes, conditions, and wildlife patterns. You don’t get to wander off on your own, but in exchange, you get a much safer, easier, and more realistic way to experience Yellowstone in winter.

If this is your first time snowmobiling or your first winter trip to Yellowstone, a guided tour is by far the simplest and least stressful option.

Why you might love snowmobiling in Yellowstone

If you like adventure, speed, or doing things a little differently, a Yellowstone snowmobile tour can be an incredible way to experience the park. We rode to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and saw Artist Point, Yellowstone Canyon, Gibson Falls, Hayden Valley, and even an overlook of the Yellowstone Caldera all in one day.

One of the weirdly fun parts of the experience is that you actually snowmobile through the town of West Yellowstone on your way into the park. You stop at stop signs, wait at red lights, and ride right alongside cars. It feels surreal at first, but in winter, it’s just how things work.

Here’s why snowmobiling is great for a lot of people:

It’s fast and exciting. You cover a lot of ground, and there’s something thrilling about moving through Yellowstone at 40+ mph with nothing but snow, steam, and wide-open valleys around you.
You get access to places you can’t drive to. Snowmobiles let you reach Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and other interior areas when the roads are closed to regular vehicles.
The park feels quiet and uncrowded. Even at famous viewpoints like Artist Point, it was just our small group. No crowds. No lines. No one blocking the view.
The winter scenery is stunning. Snow-covered forests, frozen rivers, and steaming geothermal features make Yellowstone look completely different from how it does in summer.
Wildlife stands out more in the snow. One of the biggest surprises was how much wildlife we saw from the snowmobile, from bison right beside us to coyote, fox, and wolf tracks crisscrossing the snow. Wildlife is easier to spot against the white landscape, and you notice tracks and movement you’d never see in warmer months.

Snowmobiling isn’t for everyone, but if you love adventure and want to see Yellowstone in a way most visitors never do, it can be an unforgettable part of a winter trip.

man and woman in snow suit and helmet in front of snowy Yellowstone welcome sign

Is Snowmobiling in Yellowstone worth it?

The short answer is: it depends on what you want out of your winter trip.

Snowmobiling can be incredible, but it’s also cold, fast, and a bigger commitment than many people realize. Here are a few reasons it might not be the right fit for everyone:

It’s really cold. Even with the heavy-duty snowmobile suits they give you, you’re sitting on an open machine driving through winter air for hours. Gloves, good base layers, and a buff or neck gaiter make a big difference, but you still need to be okay being outside in freezing temperatures for most of the day.
You have to keep up with the group. The snowmobiles are easy to drive, but you don’t go at your own pace. You move with the group, and that can mean driving faster than you’re comfortable with, sometimes close to 40 or 50 mph. Jon had no problem with that. I, on the other hand, don’t have a need for speed and didn’t love trying to keep up on my first time on a snowmobile. Being a passenger worked much better for me, so I could focus on taking photos instead of driving.
It can be expensive. Between the tour, permits, and gear rentals, snowmobiling is one of the pricier ways to see Yellowstone in winter. It can be worth it, but it’s not a small add-on.
You won’t spend much time on foot. Most of your day is spent riding. There are stops at overlooks, usually a short warming hut stop and a longer lunch break, but if you’re dreaming of long walks, slow photography, or wandering boardwalks, a snowcoach trip might be a better fit.
Drivers don’t get many photo breaks. If you’re driving solo, it’s hard to take pictures on the move. If you’re riding with a partner, it’s much easier, since the passenger can take photos while the driver focuses on the trail. Either way, a wrist strap for your phone or camera is a very good idea.

Snowmobiling is amazing for the right person. But if you’re more interested in slow wildlife watching, walking around thermal areas, or staying warm inside a snowcoach, there are other ways to experience Yellowstone in winter that might suit you better.

Popular Snowmobiling Tours

All snowmobile tours that go into Yellowstone National Park currently operate out of West Yellowstone, Montana. If you want to ride inside the park, this is where you’ll start.

These tours are run by authorized park concessionaires, which means they handle all the permits, provide the snowmobiles and gear, and assign guides who know the routes and conditions. You don’t need to figure out any of the logistics on your own. You just show up, get geared up, and head out into the park. We booked our Snowmobile Tour with Yellowstone Vacations.

If you’re staying in West Yellowstone, this makes snowmobiling one of the easiest winter activities to add to your trip.

man in snowmobile suit walking into Yellowstone Vacation tours building

What to wear and what to rent

Unless you snowmobile often, your best move is to rent snowmobile gear when you book your tour. Most operators provide a full suit, helmet, gloves, and boots, which makes a huge difference in how comfortable you’ll be out on the trail.

When we snowmobiled, we were given a full 40-below suit, helmet, gloves, and winter boots. Even with all that, it still felt cold once we were moving. At 40+ mph, the wind chill is real. We were glad we kept our own jackets and warm layers on underneath.

Here’s what really matters for a snowmobile day:

A warm base layer
A winter coat and winter pants underneath your rental suit
Wool socks
A buff or neck gaiter to protect your face
Something to cover your ears
Tinted snow goggles if you have them (much more comfortable than sunglasses with a helmet)

For a complete breakdown of what we actually pack for Yellowstone in winter, including boots, gloves, layers, and little things that make cold days more comfortable, see our full Yellowstone Packing List.

man and woman in winter snowmobile suits and neck gaiters

Snowmobiling safety, in real life

Most of the safety side of snowmobiling in Yellowstone is taken care of for you, especially if you’re on a guided tour. But there are a few things worth knowing before you head out.

Dress like it’s going to be colder than you think. Even with a snowmobile suit, you’re moving fast in open air for hours. Layers, a good buff or neck gaiter, and warm gloves make a huge difference.
Follow your guide and stay on the trail. Your guide knows the groomed routes, wildlife patterns, and current conditions. Staying on marked trails keeps you safe and protects the park.
Expect weather to change. Winter conditions in Yellowstone can shift quickly. Visibility, wind, and temperatures can all change in the middle of a ride, so flexibility is part of the deal. Earlier in the season especially, tours are more likely to be disrupted. Not enough snow or too much ice can lead to cancellations, and you often won’t find out until the day before. It’s frustrating, but it’s also just part of how winter travel in Yellowstone works.
Keep your distance. That goes for both other snowmobiles and wildlife. Bison and elk might look calm, but they’re unpredictable and incredibly strong.
Take it slow if you need to. You don’t get to set the pace, but you can let your guide know if you’re feeling uncomfortable or need a break.

On a guided tour, you don’t need to worry about navigation or emergency gear. That’s all handled for you. Your job is to stay warm, pay attention, and enjoy being out in one of the wildest winter landscapes in the country.

If snowmobiling isn’t your thing

Snowmobiling is just one way to experience Yellowstone in winter, and it’s definitely not the right fit for everyone. If you’re more interested in moving slowly, staying warm, or spending more time on foot, there are some great alternatives.

Snowcoach tours are the most popular option and let you reach places like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in a warm, enclosed vehicle with a guide who explains what you’re seeing along the way.

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are perfect if you want to explore quiet, snow-covered trails at your own pace, especially around Mammoth Hot Springs and the Northern Range.

And if wildlife is your main goal, driving the Northern Range from Gardiner to Cooke City is one of the best and most reliable ways to see bison, elk, wolves, and other animals in winter, all from the comfort of your car.

Best time to go snowmobiling in Yellowstone

Snowmobiling season in Yellowstone typically runs from mid-December through early March, when the park’s interior roads are groomed for over-snow travel. This is when the park really turns into a winter landscape of deep snow, frozen rivers, and steaming geothermal features.

January and February are usually the most reliable months. Snow coverage is better, wildlife is active, and trail conditions tend to be more consistent, though these are also the coldest months. December can be beautiful, but early winter comes with more risk of cancellations if there isn’t enough snow or if icy conditions force road closures. March brings longer days and slightly warmer temperatures, but snowfall becomes less predictable as spring approaches.

Because snowmobile access is limited and only available through authorized guided tours, it’s a good idea to book well in advance, especially for holiday weeks and peak winter months.

Planning a winter Yellowstone trip around snowmobiling? Our All-Seasons Yellowstone Travel Guide shows you how to combine snowmobile tours, wildlife drives, lodging, and seasonal road access into one smooth itinerary.

Can you rent a snowmobile near Yellowstone?

Yes, but it depends on what kind of riding you’re looking for. If you want to snowmobile without going into Yellowstone National Park, Cooke City, Montana is one of the best places in the region to do it. It sits at Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance and offers direct access to hundreds of miles of backcountry terrain in the Gallatin and Custer National Forests.

Local outfitters, including Beartooth Adventures, rent snowmobiles and safety gear and offer guided trips if you’re new to the area. You won’t be able to ride a rented snowmobile into Yellowstone itself, but Cooke City is famous for its wide-open, ungroomed riding and is a destination in its own right for snowmobilers who want a more adventurous experience.

Where to stay for snowmobiling in Yellowstone

If snowmobiling is a big part of your winter Yellowstone plan, West Yellowstone is the best place to stay. All snowmobile tours that go into the park currently depart from town, so staying nearby makes early mornings and tour days much easier.

We also like pairing a stay in West Yellowstone with a few nights near Yellowstone’s North Entrance in Gardiner. That way you can enjoy snowmobiling one part of your trip and then switch to wildlife watching and scenic winter drives along the Northern Range, which is open to regular vehicles all winter.

In West Yellowstone, it’s easiest to stay right in town so you’re close to tour pick-up points, restaurants, and shops. Hotels like the Holiday Inn, Days Inn, and Best Western are all within walking distance of most snowmobile operators, which keeps things simple on cold winter mornings.

wolf in winter with text promotion for Yellowstone Travel Guide

Planning a winter Yellowstone trip?

If snowmobiling is part of your winter plans, these guides will help you put the whole trip together:

And if you want everything in one place, our All-Seasons Yellowstone Travel Guide walks you through exactly how to plan your trip, from where to stay and what’s open to wildlife routes, winter road access, and day-by-day itineraries. It’s the guide we wish we had when we planned our first winter Yellowstone trip.

Learn more about our All-Seasons Yellowstone Travel Guide here.