Yellowstone in Winter 2024/2025

Experience Montana with its majestic winter coat on via snowshoeing and snowcoach on our Yellowstone in Winter vacation.

If you're ready to step into a winter wonderland complete with snow-covered bison, frosted pines, frozen waterfalls and fascinating geothermal features, you've come to the right place. Led by experienced local guides, you'll do what few have the chance to do and spend two nights tucked inside Yellowstone National Park. Travel to Old Faithful by private snowcoach, discovering backcountry landscapes along the way. Spend an afternoon snowshoeing to thundering waterfalls, watch wildlife vie for food in Lamar Valley, and walk boardwalks between powerful geysers.

Download Our Handy Trip Itinerary

Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip.

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Yellowstone in Winter ~ Itinerary

Trip Start: Bozeman Trip End: Bozeman

Download our Handy Trip itinerary

Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip

Day 1Meet group in Bozeman, hot springs walk
Day 2Experience a Lamar Valley winter wildlife drive, snowshoe to Tower Fall
Day 3Snowcoach to Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Old Faithful
Day 4Explore the Old Faithful Region
Day 5Snowcoach to Mammoth, relax at Chico Hot Springs
Day 6Shuttle back to Bozeman and say your goodbyes

Day 1

Meet group in Bozeman, hot springs walk

In the early morning hours, your tour begins in Bozeman, Montana. A scenic drive takes you along Old Yellowstone Trail Road, passing Corwin Springs with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife roaming the frosted valleys.

We'll make a short stop in Gardiner, the gateway to the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, to stretch our legs and enjoy an early lunch. Be sure to fuel up as it's time to head into the park for a walk among hot springs and terraces. The frozen rock formations provide a stark contrast to the steaming geysers, and thermal activity Yellowstone is known for.

A short drive brings you to your accommodation for the night, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
Accommodation: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2

Experience a Lamar Valley winter wildlife drive, snowshoe to Tower Fall

We'll wake up nice and early today for a sunrise Lamar Valley winter wildlife drive in Yellowstone's northeast corner. You'll quickly discover why Lamar Valley is deemed the “Serengeti of the West.” Keep your eye out for wolves, bison, elk, moose and bighorn sheep standing against the breathtaking snowy backdrop.

We'll stop for lunch in Cooke City before heading back towards Mammoth, watching for wildlife along the way. After a quick lesson, it's time for a snowshoe adventure to Tower Fall. Behold the pristine winter landscapes of Yellowstone as you snowshoe to the 132-foot icy drop of Tower Fall.

Take time to relax and refresh at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
Accommodation: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3

Snowcoach to Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Old Faithful

Yellowstone's busy roads have turned into a frozen wonderland, and one of the few ways to get deep into the park's magnificent landscapes is by hopping aboard a snowcoach - which is exactly your plan for the day. Specially designed to handle the snowy roads, a private snowcoach provides the ideal opportunity to see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, and Lake Yellowstone with their winter coats on. Keep your eye out for frozen waterfalls, snow-covered bison, wolves, and coyotes along the way.

After a full day of exploring, you'll be ready for a delicious dinner at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, your home for the next two nights. "
Accommodation: Old Faithful Snow Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4

Explore the Old Faithful Region

Another exciting day is on the horizon! After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you'll explore the peaceful landscapes on cross-country skis or snowshoes. After lunch, you'll set out on a breathtaking snowy walk along Yellowstone's Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks to Old Faithful. Spot bison and elk taking advantage of the warm ground and watch Old Faithful erupt in all its promised glory.

The afternoon is yours to spend as you please, meeting up with your fellow adventurers later for dinner in the lodge.
Accommodation: Old Faithful Snow Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5

Snowcoach to Mammoth, relax at Chico Hot Springs

Today you're back on the snowcoach for a beautiful ride to Mammoth. With no other vehicles around for as far as the eye can see, it's easy to lose track of time as you watch frozen landscapes, snow-covered pines, and fascinating geothermal features drift past the windows.

After transferring to Gardiner for lunch, we'll head to the historic Chico Hot Springs resort located in the heart of Paradise Valley.

Here you can soak in the rejuvenating mineral waters before or after tonight’s celebratory dinner.
Accommodation: Chico Hot Springs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6

Shuttle back to Bozeman and say your goodbyes

Wake up early and spend your last morning soaking in the hot springs, or sleep in and enjoy a late breakfast - the choice is yours. We'll then hop into the van one last time for a short drive back to Bozeman. Wave farewell to the magical landscapes you've called home for the past five days, and say your goodbyes to newly found friends.

We hope you had an incredible time discovering the beauty of Yellowstone National Park in winter!
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast

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What's Included

5 nights’ accommodation
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Our own highly experienced guides, with you from start to finish
Industry leading Guest-to-Guide ratio (averaging 6:1)
Your own ‘Account’, an online space with everything required for your trip
Our knowledgeable Customer Service Team to answer your queries - just a phone call, email or chat away
Customer Service pre-trip phone calls to ensure you’re 'trip ready'
Delicious snacks to keep you fuelled
Special ‘Wow’ moments you'll never forget
All activities described in the itinerary
All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities
Transportation in our air-conditioned vans - safe, clean, modern and comfortable!

What Our Guests Say

Photos From the Winter Yellowstone Trip

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Useful Info

Where does the trip start?

On the first morning of the trip, our two pick-up locations are Best Western GranTree at 8:30am, or The Element Hotel at 8:45am. You are welcome to book your pre-trip stay at either of these hotels directly or any other hotel in Bozeman, though you must make your own way to one of the two pick-up points at the pre-designated times.

Where does the trip end?

Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Bozeman Airport at 11am in time for flights below or at a hotel of your choice in Bozeman around 11:15am.

What flights would you recommend?

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Bozeman at least the day before your trip starts. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your trip start.

Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Bozeman after 1pm. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.

What are the accommodations we stay at on this trip?

We have selected the accommodation on your trip for the stunning settings, unique character and adventuresome feel – it’s not designed as a tour of the fanciest hotels near Yellowstone. We prefer to stay in accommodations close to the park and our activities for the day that are comfortable after a full day of exploration.

While there are laundry facilities at some locations, they may not be convenient or there may only be one machine to service your entire group. We recommend bringing enough clothing to only not have to do laundry during your trip. If needed the best time will be when we are at Chico Hot Springs on Day 5.

How fit do I need to be for this trip?

You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness for this trip though you’ll be hiking on gentle to moderate trails and can still enjoy the scenery and relaxation. Typically, hikes range between two and four hours to complete, more, or less hiking is available too.

Please head to our Fitness Guide for great tips on how to prepare along with a workout plan!

What should I bring with me on the first day?

When you speak with your guides the night before your trip, they will give you a detailed description of what to bring with you on Day 1. Typically, this includes a day pack with your rain jacket, sunglasses, hat, camera, etc. Anything you want easy access to during the day should go in your day pack as the rest of your luggage will go in the locked cargo trailer pulled behind the van. Your guides will provide you with a water bottle on the first morning of your trip and will always have water available for refills. There will be snacks available at all times in the van. Your guides will also have bug spray and sunscreen accessible for you to use.

Will I have contact with my guides before the trip starts?

Your guides will call your cell phone the night before your trip begins to touch base on the first day’s plan. If they don’t get through to you, they will leave a voicemail on your cell phone with all the details you need to plan for your first morning.

How do rooming arrangements work?

Trip prices are based on shared arrangements (typically two guests per room), unless otherwise stated. For solo travelers, we’ll pair you with another person of the same gender to share rooms and if there’s no one suitable to share with, there’s no forced single supplement. However, if you specifically request your own rooms, you can opt to pay the single supplement. Solo travelers who book within 120 days of departure, where there are no other solo travelers willing to share, will be required to pay the single supplement.

For Family Vacation bookings, families consisting of four guests traveling with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size). We recommend USD$20 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

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