The Lollipop Road

Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as America’s first national park, is a World Heritage Site that encompasses over 2.2 million acres in three states.  Although most of Yellowstone lies in Wyoming, you’ll likely enter the park through the north entrance at Gardner, Montana or the west entrance at West Yellowstone, Montana.  As a matter of fact, the only entrance with services that is actually in Wyoming is to the south at Flagg Ranch.  The lesser-used northeast entrance at Cooke City, Montana is open year-round to vehicles, while the east entrance is about 50 miles from Cody, Wyoming and closes to authorized vehicles at 9PM each evening in winter.  Entry into the park is $15 per person if on “foot” or $25 per vehicle.  Check the daily winter report before you go.

Without a doubt, the most interesting time to visit Yellowstone is in the winter season.  The park usually reopens to visitors around the middle of December and closes again for plowing by mid-March.  This short winter season is often at the mercy of Mother Nature as transportation throughout the interior of the park relies upon a reasonable snowpack.  So, it’s best to plan your winter vacation to Yellowstone for after the 1st of the year.

There are only a few roads that are open year-round to non-commercial passenger vehicles.  The road from Gardner, Montana to Mammoth Hot Springs, which sees the most traffic in winter, is open and usually pretty clear for much of the season.  In contrast, the road from Mammoth Hot Springs to the northeast entrance at Cooke City, although open can be hit or miss depending upon weather conditions.

As of 2004, only guided snowmobile tours with an approved tour provider or approved snowcoach vehicles are allowed to traverse the interior roads of Yellowstone during winter.  Gliding along the groomed snow covered roads, the snowcoach provides a convenient way to see the spectacular winter landscape if you have young kids.  For families with older kids, joining a guided snowmobile tour is an exciting way to interact with nature while enjoying the sport of snowmobiling.

The Temporary Winter Use Plan that has been in place is set to expire at the end of the 2011 winter season. If new, acceptable rules are not put in place for the 2011-2012 season, all motorizeed access to the park in winter will cease. Six alternatives have been proposed and are currently open for public comment. Please participate in the process to keep our most beautiful national park open to winter visitors.

If you don’t want to venture into the interior or are looking to save some money (Yellowstone is expensive in winter), you can enter Yellowstone through Gardner, Montana and enjoy the park from Mammoth Hot Springs.  Although an abbreviated experience, it is much less expensive and still offers some spectacular scenery and fun activities.

Whether it’s relaxing and taking in the scenery on a guided snowcoach tour, snowmobiling across the continental divide, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing through the snow covered landscape, ice-skating with the kids, escaping the cold with a dip into the hot tub or just reading a book by a roaring fire, there is an activity for everyone in the family.  Of course, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore on your own too.  With about 10,000 thermal features, over 300 geysers, hundreds of waterfalls and the amazing travertine terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone will engage even the youngest of visitors.  Don’t forget the wildlife – bison, elk, bighorn sheep and wolves abound in winter.

You’ll need to dress warmly as temperatures will range on average from 0°F-40°F with colder temperatures possible in the interior.  Wind chill can also be a factor, making it feel even colder.  Temperatures at Mammoth Hot Springs tend to be at the higher end of the range, although anything is possible.  Expect frequent precipitation in the form of snow that can hamper visibility and quickly accumulate around you.  When venturing out, always be prepared.

Check out previous posts in this series:

Part 2 – Visiting Yellowstone in Winter – Getting There And Around

Part 3 – Visiting Yellowstone in Winter – Where To Stay And What To Do

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