Overview
Immerse yourself in the wildness of Yellowstone’s landscape by utilizing the ancient technology of snowshoes. This tour provides an unmatchable backcountry experience of magnificent winter ecology.
Though winter can seem like the least likely time to go for a walk in the woods, it is really one of the most rewarding. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem comes alive as wildlife moves from summer to winter ranges. Snow illuminates the landscape in a way you may never have noticed. Wildlife tracks appear frozen in time, and plants and rivers allow for our reflection on resilience and longevity. On this private full-day snowshoe trek, you will explore the environment in an in-depth, hands-on way. Your expert naturalist guide will interpret what you find and what you see, and you may be surprised with the story that arises.
Our full day snowshoe trip is planned and organized by our naturalist guides according to guest abilities and interests. We provide well-maintained snowshoes and poles for every guest, fitted to your height and weight for ultimate comfort. Our guides carry essential medical supplies, tools, maps and bear spray to ensure outdoor safety. Guests will also enjoy healthy and hearty snacks, a full picnic lunch, as well as the ultimate decadence of a steaming hot cocoa or coffee on the trail. This trip allows for you to take a break from the norm and literally step out into the deep stuff. Whether you have been snowshoeing your whole life, or never at all, it will undoubtedly be an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Your exact route and itinerary will be determined by your interests, current wildlife sightings, and current weather and road conditions. Our guides are all highly experienced, with thousands of hours in the field, and will expertly tailor your safari to you and your group.
Wildlife is abundant in Northern Yellowstone in the Winter. On your journey to the trailhead, and throughout the day, you may see some of North America’s largest mammals living free and wild as they have for millennia. Herbivores such as Bison, Elk, Deer, Moose and Sheep, range openly throughout valleys, gorges and cliff-sides. Many great raptors stay through the winter as well; Bald and Golden Eagles, Falcons and Hawks perch on trees or circle the skies searching for their next meal. Predators like Wolves, Coyotes and Foxes are exciting to observe as winter is their time of hunting during the day.
While out on the trail, your attention will be drawn to the intricate details of winter all around you; the deep quiet of the forest, the delicacy of layers of snow, ice formations on a creek, and the awesome presence of the Rocky Mountain peaks all around. Moving across the land on snowshoes allows for an intimate and mindful experience. The closer you look, the more you will see.
What's Included
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Hotel pickup (private tours only)
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Professional naturalist guide
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Private or small group safari
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Catered picnic lunch
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Assorted snack basket
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Non-alcoholic beverages (hot and cold)
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Use of UHD binoculars and spotting scopes
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Use of snowshoes and poles
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Guide gratuities
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National Park entrance fees
Public Safari
$350 per guest. Two person minimum booking requirement. Maximum per vehicle, 6-8 guests. This is a mixed group safari.
Private Safari
$895 for 1-2 guests; $250 for each additional guest. Maximum per vehicle, 6-8 guests.
This is a private safari.
Pickup Information
For all open tours, you will meet your guide at a designated central meeting location in Bozeman, Paradise Valley, Gardiner, or Mammoth. When you reserve, we’ll confirm your exact pickup time, based on the season. Please check your confirmation email for the full list of meeting locations and pickup times for open tours.
For private tours, all our guests are picked up (and dropped off) at their lodging location. We pick up in Bozeman, Paradise Valley, Gardiner, and Mammoth. When you reserve, we’ll confirm your exact pickup time, based on the season, as well as your exact pickup location.
Please allow your guide an additional 5-10 minutes before and after the scheduled pickup time in case of weather delays or traffic conditions.
Approximate pickup times include:
- 7:00AM Bozeman
- 7:45AM Paradise Valley
- 8:30AM Gardiner
- 8:45AM Mammoth
Our adventure was fantastic! We saw a ton of different wildlife we would have never seen on our own. We tried our hand at snowshoeing. Our guide was extremely patient and kind with our daughter. He was an outstanding guide and an endless source of knowledge. We highly recommend Yellowstone Safari Co. to anyone wanting to do something outside of the box while visiting the area.
Safari Tour Gallery
All photography has been shot by our talented tour guides.
FAQs
Can you snowshoe in Yellowstone?
You can! Yellowstone is an enormous landscape where you can enjoy hiking in the summer months and snowshoeing in the winter months. There are designated trails in different areas of the park. Your guide will assess your skill level, your interests, road conditions and weather, among other considerations, to identify the best route for the day.
Is snowshoeing in Yellowstone a good experience?
Snowshoeing offers a different way to explore the National Park other than traversing the landscape by vehicle. This tour is more immersive, taking you off-road to explore some areas of the park that are not accessible by car. Your guide is on hand to provide interpretive information of the wildlife you see as well as to provide context for the landscape and habitat you’re walking through. Sometimes, this slow approach to exploring nature is a great way to connect with the landscape – rather than driving through it, you’re part of it, even if only for a short while.
How should I pack for a winter walking tour of Yellowstone?
We’ll be out in the elements so you’ll want to dress accordingly. Start with an outer shell that is windproof and waterproof. Add a mid-weight or expedition weight layer of wool or synthetic material, avoiding cotton, if possible. This layer keeps you warm and traps warm air between your outer shell and your body. Against your body, you’ll want a lightweight or silk weight wicking layer of synthetic or wool material, but not cotton. This layer pulls moisture away from your body and allows it to evaporate quickly, so you don’t have wet clothing laying against your skin, cooling you off. You can add or shed layers as you walk, depending on your personal comfort. Wear a wool or fleece hat and make sure you have gloves or mittens that are waterproof that allow for dexterity while keeping your hands warm. You’ll want warm winter boots that are waterproof and lined, with good traction, to keep your feet warm and dry. Pair this with a nice wool or synthetic sock to help keep your feet warm. Bring a lightweight day pack to hold essentials like a camera, a water bottle and/or a personal snack.
Is snowshoeing more difficult than hiking in Yellowstone?
Snowshoeing might feel a bit awkward at first, especially if you are not used to the movement, but you’ll soon get the hang of it and find that it provides an excellent mode of human-powered transportation across deep snow, allowing you to access beautiful and uncrowded areas of the National Park.
Do I need a reservation for Yellowstone snowshoeing tour?
Yes, every one of our safari tours requires reservations. Because this is an active tour, we will want to get a bit of information about each person participating so that we can provide the appropriate snowshoe gear on the morning of your departure. We will also want to know what level of activity you are comfortable with, so we can match your ability with the appropriate route. You’ll want to come prepared to be outside in the elements for the day. Our confirmation email lists everything you’ll need to bring with you for the day as well as what our guides will provide throughout the day. If you have additional questions that remain, our office staff is on hand to field phone calls with any questions you have prior to your departure.
What do others say about this tour?
5 Stars
My fiance and I had an incredible day trip to Yellowstone with our guide. While we were fortunate with the wildlife we saw on the day, had we not been with Yellowstone Safari Company we would not have seen a fraction of the things we saw. Our guide was knowledgeable on all things Yellowstone and was tremendously enthusiastic on the topic. The snowshoeing was a superb addition to the day and overall it was a day we will never forget.
John H.
Guides and Staff
Our Team
Local, experienced naturalist guides.
