Overview
Enjoy a catered experience of Yellowstone National Park’s interior, where incredible volcanic features such as geysers and hot springs create a mystical world amidst the backdrop of winter’s beauty.
Highlights
- Old Faithful
- Snowcoach Excursion to Yellowstone’s Interior
- Winter Landscapes & Geothermal Wonders
Yellowstone is unique year-round, but perhaps most notably in the wintertime. This high-elevation volcanic plateau experiences deep cold and heavy snowfall, but simultaneously exhibits some of the most visible volcanic features on the planet. Hot water rises from geysers, springs, vents and gurgling pots creating tornadoes of steam and a sense of surrealism. Eighty percent of Yellowstone is closed to the public in winter, and this tour allows us to visit these remote regions on specialized vehicles that roll over the snow.
*Tour availability is based on snowcoach availability with our partner. We will verify availability before confirming the tour.
Our full-day tour (accessing the interior of Yellowstone National Park from the west entrance) is led by our naturalist guides according to guest abilities and interests. Our guide will escort you in a Yellowstone Safari Co vehicle from your lodging in Bozeman or Big Sky to our snowcoach meeting point in West Yellowstone where we will join our group headed towards Old Faithful. Our guide will provide educated and passionate interpretation of everything you encounter throughout the day including walks around several geyser basins, wildlife sightings, historic buildings and geologic features. As our guest, you will be provided healthy and hearty snacks, a full picnic lunch, as well as the ultimate decadence of a steaming hot cocoa or coffee when you need it the most. Whether this is your first or tenth time to Yellowstone National Park, visiting in the winter will undoubtedly be an enjoyable and memorable experience.
On your journey to the park entrance and throughout the day, you may see some of North America’s largest mammals exhibiting some fascinating behaviors as they attempt to survive the harsh winter. Herbivores such as bison, elk, deer, moose and sheep, range openly throughout valleys, gorges and cliff-sides. Many raptors such as 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 especially active in winter when their prey are at their weakest. Our guides will provide binoculars for you to use throughout your day in order to appreciate the beauty of these wild creatures safely from a distance.
What's Included
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Hotel pickup
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Professional naturalist guide
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Private wildlife safari
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Public snowcoach tour
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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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Guide gratuities
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National Park entrance fees
Snowcoach Tour
Pickup Information
For private tours, all our guests are picked up (and dropped off) at their lodging location. We pick up in Bozeman and Big Sky. 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:
West Entrance Tours
- 6:00AM Bozeman
- 6:30AM Big Sky
Yellowstone Safari Company is incredible. They are extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife, the ecosystem and everything in-between. I had been to Yellowstone a dozen times with friends and family before going on a safari with them, and their trips are next level. You see things that you've never noticed before and are way more likely to see wildlife since they are in the park everyday and know the animals patterns. I can't recommend them enough!
Safari Tour Gallery
All photography has been shot by our talented tour guides.
FAQs
Will we be in a group with other people?
You’ll have a private tour from your pickup location to the snowcoach departure site at either the north or west entrance. Then, your group and your Yellowstone Safari Company guide will join others on the snowcoach, which seat groups of up to 20 people. Your guide will offer you a personalized experience with information throughout the day, as well as transport to and from the snowcoach departure site.
How cold will it be in Yellowstone National Park in winter?
Yellowstone in winter can be very cold. We recommend wearing synthetic layers, including a very warm insulating layer and a waterproof/repellent wind layer, as well as warm wool hats and gloves. We will provide hand and foot warmers for you as well as hot drinks and food to keep you warm throughout the day.
Will we see Old Faithful erupt on this tour?
Yes, every trip includes an eruption of Old Faithful, which happens every 90 minutes or so. We will plan lunch around watching it erupt!
Will we see other geysers and hot springs on this tour?
Yes, you will have the opportunity to walk around several geyser basins to see these features up close. We are able to observe many of these geothermal features in one area, and we will take time to explore and educate as we walk around, but we will not touch or enter any springs – it’s illegal to do so in the park!
Can we take a snowcoach tour to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone?
Yes, we do offer a custom tour to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone instead of Old Faithful. You will just need to notify our office that you prefer this destination and we will make adjustments to your reservation. The cost is the same. (Please note, if you select the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone as your destination, you will not see Old Faithful).
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Snowcoach Tour Details
Enjoy a catered experience of Yellowstone National Park’s interior geologic gems, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, amidst the backdrop of winter’s beauty.
Yellowstone National Park is a year-round gem, but it truly shines during the winter months. This magical season transforms the park into a mesmerizing wonderland. As you explore, you’ll witness the remarkable interplay between geothermal activity and the park’s volcanic history, with hot water bubbling up from geysers and hot springs. Towering cliffs, composed of basalt, obsidian, and rhyolite, offer a glimpse into the region’s rich geological past.
The entire landscape glistens with a pristine layer of ice and snow, providing a stunning contrast to the vibrant wildlife that thrives in this white wilderness. In winter, a significant portion of Yellowstone is inaccessible by vehicle. However, our specialized winter tours grant you access to these remote and restricted areas using specially designed vehicles capable of traversing the snow-covered terrain.
Our full-day snowcoach adventure, departing from Bozeman or Big Sky, is expertly guided by our knowledgeable naturalists. They tailor the experience to match the abilities and interests of our guests. Your journey begins with a comfortable ride in a Yellowstone Safari Co vehicle from your lodging to our snowcoach meeting point, located in West Yellowstone. From there, we embark on a captivating journey towards the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Throughout the day, our guides will provide insightful and passionate interpretations of the park’s wonders. Depending on weather conditions and your interests, they may lead short outdoor excursions, share captivating wildlife encounters, and offer explanations of unique geological features. We ensure that you are well taken care of during the trip, providing healthy and hearty snacks, a delectable picnic lunch, and the ultimate indulgence: steaming hot cocoa or coffee when you need it most.
Whether this marks your first or tenth visit to Yellowstone, experiencing it in winter promises unforgettable memories and pure enjoyment.
During this extraordinary tour, you’ll have the chance to observe North America’s largest mammals exhibiting fascinating winter behaviors as they adapt to the harsh conditions. Bison, elk, deer, moose, and sheep roam freely across valleys, gorges, and cliff sides. The skies come alive with the graceful flight of raptors like bald and golden eagles, falcons, and hawks, either perched on trees or soaring in search of their next meal. Predators like wolves, coyotes, and foxes are particularly active during winter, capitalizing on the vulnerability of their prey.
To enhance your wildlife viewing experience, our guides provide binoculars, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of these wild creatures from a safe and respectful distance. Yellowstone in winter is a realm of wonder and a testament to nature’s resilience, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Guides and Staff
Our Team
Local, experienced naturalist guides.
Further Reading
Why You Should Book A Winter Wildlife Safari
Feb 22, 2021
One of the most common responses that I hear when I tell my summer-time clients about our winter wildlife safaris is: I didn’t even know that Yellowstone was open in the winter! Not only is Yellowstone open, but winter is arguably one of the most spectacular times to visit!
Yellowstone in Winter
Feb 27, 2023
As November approaches, a dramatic transformation occurs- the days shorten, the temperatures drop, the chance of snow escalates, and eventually, over 200 miles of roadway in the park will close to regular vehicle traffic. Fortunately, this does not mean the entire park is inaccessible.
