7 Important Tips for Visiting Yellowstone In Winter

Yellowstone is in a constant state of transformation. Not just from season to season, but year to year, decade to decade, and beyond that, the land and the climate continually evolve as they always have.

There is never a bad time to visit Yellowstone. But there are times when a visit is a bit more difficult.

What to expect on your winter Yellowstone trip

The advantage to Yellowstone in the winter is fewer people.

The disadvantage is that many roads are closed.

Every year, in November, every road in Yellowstone is closed except the one from Mammoth Hot Springs to the northeast entrance at Siver Gate.

This video below is a handy guide on what you can expect to find and what you can do once you enter the park.

The guide includes where to find food and lodging.

Cook City is a great place to make reservations, but the only way to get to Cook City in the winter is through the park.

There are places in the park to hike, snowshoe, and even ride snowmobiles. The park services offer a handy guide as to where you can do what.

Once again the big advantage is that there will not be many people. In some cases, you might wonder if you are the only one in the park.

West Yellowstone is the best hub for snowmobiling. You can even find guides, which is a good idea if you are new to the area.

Because nothing ever stays the same, from year to year, it's hard to say what your winter visit will be like.

You might show up during a bitterly cold winter with lots of snow.

You might experience one of the more mild years.

There is no such thing as "It's winter so it's supposed to be this way or that".

The weather is always unpredictable

Here are a few things you should keep in mind before your Yellowstone adventure.

1. Check the weather before you drive in. Yesterday's forecast doesn't count for today. Check the weather along the route. You're going to be covering a lot of mileage. The weather will be different across the park.

2. Check your vehicle before you go. Don't take anything for granted. You'll be in the backcountry and there will be areas with no cell service.

3. Keep some emergency supplies in your vehicle just in case you do get stuck and don't have cell service.

4. Pack more layers of clothing than you think you'll need. Not only because you might get wet and need to change while out in the wilderness, but, again, if you get stuck you'll need it.

5. Snacks? Heck yeah, and warm drinks too. Everything is closed and you are out in the wilderness. Be prepared.

6. Bring binoculars. This is a vast landscape. Not everything you want to see will be close and you won't be able to get to most of it.

7. Big animals like bison will want to share that paved road you are on. It's much easier to travel where it has been plowed. Use caution.