Take the snowcoach if you'd like a heated ride with someone else doing the driving. Go by snowmobile if you want to drive and don't mind a day in the cold. Either way, you'll leave from West Yellowstone, and you'll want to book ahead.
How winter access works
Most of Yellowstone's roads close to regular cars in early November. Once the snow builds up, usually by mid-December, the interior roads open to "oversnow" travel only, meaning snowcoaches and snowmobiles, until about mid-March.1,2 You can book a snowcoach or snowmobile tour to Old Faithful or the canyon, and there's also a permit if you want to lead your own snowmobile group.1
The park expects to open the snowcoach and snowmobile routes on December 15, 2026. They start closing March 7, 2027, and the last ones close March 15. Canyon trips wrap up before some Old Faithful trips, so ask about the dates for the tour you want. Snow can change the plan.2
Snowcoach vs. snowmobile
You'll also need to decide what you want to see. Most day tours from West Yellowstone go to either Old Faithful and the geyser basins nearby, or the canyon and the waterfalls. Both take most of the day.
| Snowcoach | Guided snowmobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Who drives | A professional driver | You drive, following a guide |
| Comfort | Heated cab, out of the wind | Cold and exposed; dress in layers or rent a suit |
| Best for | Anyone who'd rather ride in a heated cab with someone else driving | People who'd enjoy driving a sled and don't mind a full day in the cold |
| License | Not needed | Drivers need to be at least 16 and have a valid driver's license1 |
| The day | A full day riding, with stops to get out and look around3 | A full day outside, following the guide and stopping along the way3 |
If some of you want the coach and others want sleds, ask the outfitter whether you can take both tours to Old Faithful on the same day. Work out where and when you'll meet before you book. Prices change every season, so check with the outfitters in West Yellowstone.
Leading your own snowmobile group
If you'd rather lead your own group, you'll need a permit from the park. On Recreation.gov, look for the Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program.1,4
- Each day, one group can start from each of the park's four snowmobile entrances.
- Up to five snowmobiles per group. Trips can last up to three days.
- The permit costs $40 a day for your whole group. There's also a $6 fee to apply or book, and you don't get that part back. Park entrance fees and sled rentals are extra.6
- The August 2026 lottery is over. You can still check Recreation.gov for unclaimed or canceled permits. If your dates are full, check again later.
- The person who gets the permit and leads the trip has to be at least 18. Every driver has to be at least 16 with a valid driver's license, and has to pass the park's free online snowmobile course, leader included.
- Every sled has to be on the park's approved list (they call it "New BAT"). Ask the rental shop for an approved sled. If you're bringing your own, check the exact model and year against the list, and whether there's a mileage limit.
A few park rules
- Tracked side-by-sides aren't allowed in the park in winter.1
- If you have a permit to lead your own group, the park won't refund it or move it because of bad weather or a road closure. On a guided tour, check that company's cancellation policy.1
- Stay at least 100 yards from bears, wolves and cougars, and 25 yards from everything else, including bison and elk.5
- Cell service in the park is spotty. Download maps before you leave town.
- Ask whether lunch comes with your tour. You may need to bring your own or order it ahead, especially on a canyon trip.
Bringing your own sleds
You can bring your own sled into Yellowstone if it's on the park's approved list and you have a permit to lead your own group.1 For most people, a guided tour is the easy answer. You can also ride your own sleds around Island Park. From the cabin, you can ride from the garage down to the groomed trails along Highway 20. You can drive to the cabin in winter, too. We recommend 4WD, but you don't need sleds to get here. We don't provide sleds.
The one road you can drive
You can still drive into Yellowstone in winter from Gardiner, Montana. The road goes through Mammoth and Tower Junction to Cooke City, weather permitting.2 It takes you through the Lamar Valley, where you can look for wildlife along the way.3 You'll need to come back out through Gardiner, because you can't keep going east past Cooke City by car in winter.2 It's a long drive around from Island Park, so it works best as an overnight trip.
Quick answers
Can you drive a car into Yellowstone in winter?
You can drive the northern road from Gardiner to Cooke City, as long as the weather allows it. The roads to Old Faithful and the canyon close to cars in winter.2
Can I take my own snowmobile into Yellowstone?
Yes, if it's on the park's approved list and you have a permit to lead your own group. Check the list and Recreation.gov before you make plans. Otherwise, book a guided tour.1
When does winter season start and end?
Expected December 15, 2026 through March 15, 2027. Some routes close earlier in March, so check the dates for your tour.1,2
Is a snowcoach OK for little kids?
Usually, yes. A heated coach is the easier choice with little kids. Ask about age limits and car seats before you book, and make sure everyone is up for a full day. You'll still want warm clothes for the stops outside.
- Snowmobiling, Yellowstone National Park (NPS): winter access, unguided program rules, BAT, license and age requirements
- Park Roads, Yellowstone National Park (NPS): winter closures, oversnow window, year-round North road
- Yellowstone in Winter (2026-27), YourNPGuide: tour capacity, snowcoach vs. snowmobile day, Lamar Valley
- 2026-2027 snowmobile permit lottery news release (NPS): lottery dates, cost, group size
- Safety, Yellowstone National Park (NPS): wildlife distances
- Snowmobile access permit, Recreation.gov: permit cost and availability
