Most Wyomingites avoid the National Parks from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The crowds and the traffic turn most summertime trips into a challenge for locals. While many people plan their park trips in September or October to enjoy some warm weather, Yellowstone is actually the ideal National Park to visit in Wyoming winter.
In the colder months, Yellowstone is a completely different experience than it is during the typical summertime trip.
Facebook / Yellowstone National Park
Rivers, lakes, and waterfalls freeze over. Winter storms blanket the park in fresh powder. Roads are only open to oversnow travel. Truly, Yellowstone becomes the world’s greatest winter wonderland.
Tripadvisor / BunsenBurner40
Breathtaking geyser basins show off their steam against the frigid air. The crowds that typically fill the boardwalks in warmer months all but disappear. Hot pots and pools are bright against the contrasting white that surrounds them.
Flickr / Charles (Chuck) Peterson
Most of the park closes in the winter, but the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Mammoth Hotel, and Canyon Yurt Camp are open. Warming huts are opened throughout the park for those traveling around.
Flickr / Charles (Chuck) Peterson
Yellowstone’s access roads close in November, and typically the park is open for Winter by mid-December once there’s enough snow for roads to open to oversnow travel.
NPS / Neal Herbert Oversnow travel means that the only way to visit the best winter destinations is to join a guided snowmobile or snowcoach tour, or on your own if you’re lucky enough to get a non-commercially guided snowmobile lottery. Guided trips are recommended, because you’ll have all of the safety gear you need, as well as up-to-date information on snow cover and avalanche conditions.
Non-Commercially Guided Access permits are available through a lottery that runs in the month of August. If you missed the permit lottery, unclaimed permits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning October 1.
Facebook / Yellowstone National Park Traveling on your own means you must be prepared for the wild Wyoming winter conditions. Carry a shovel, safety beacons in case of an avalanche, a map, an extra belt for the snowmobile, tools, first aid supplies, and a winter survival kit that includes extra food and water.
If you’re looking for Ranger-led programs, visit Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs Visitor Centers. There are always guided trips and wilderness programs offered through park partners, as well.
Facebook / Yellowstone National Park
Visiting Yellowstone in the winter is an unforgettable experience unlike any other in the world. Bundle up and plan a trip to see this incredible natural wonder in a brand new light.
Flickr / Christopher Michel
Yellowstone is such a breathtaking National Park to visit in Wyoming, no matter what the season. For everything you need to plan your winter trip, visit the Yellowstone National Park website. If you’re looking for information about winter trips and excursions, visit the Yellowstone Lodge Adventures website, here. If you want to learn about some awesome places to stay while you adventure in Wyoming, this article will help!
Facebook / Yellowstone National Park
Tripadvisor / BunsenBurner40
Flickr / Charles (Chuck) Peterson
NPS / Neal Herbert
Oversnow travel means that the only way to visit the best winter destinations is to join a guided snowmobile or snowcoach tour, or on your own if you’re lucky enough to get a non-commercially guided snowmobile lottery. Guided trips are recommended, because you’ll have all of the safety gear you need, as well as up-to-date information on snow cover and avalanche conditions.
Traveling on your own means you must be prepared for the wild Wyoming winter conditions. Carry a shovel, safety beacons in case of an avalanche, a map, an extra belt for the snowmobile, tools, first aid supplies, and a winter survival kit that includes extra food and water.
Flickr / Christopher Michel
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Park To Visit In Wyoming February 11, 2022 Sara Dager How much snowfall does Wyoming get each year? Wyoming can be a pretty snowy state, but with its size, averaging out the snowfall can lead to misinformation depending on what part you are in. In the East where the elevation is higher, snowfall can ranger from about 60-70 inches a year, mostly between November and May. However, in the Southwest area where it is more dry and there is less elevation, the average is closer to 45-55 inches. There are storms on average about five times a year that drop around five inches at once, and rarely a really big storm can leave over a foot of snow behind, but this is quite uncommon. Wyoming can be quite a windy state though, so even lower amounts of total snowfall can still lead to less than ideal conditions. What was the biggest snowfall in Wyoming? Over the fourth and fifth of April 1955, Sheridan Wyoming saw one of the largest blizzards that is on record to this day. The intense blizzard lasted a little over 43 hours in total and 39 inches of snow fell during this time, trapping many people in their homes for days on end. This level of blizzard was unexpected in volume, length, and odd for how late in the year it occurred. No storm to this level has happened in Wyoming since. To read more about this blizzard, take a look at this article. What are the best outdoor activities in winter in Wyoming? Wyoming has so many fun winter activities that are perfect for the whole family! You can choose from dog sledding, sleigh rides, skiing, snowmobiling, and any other winter sport your heart desires. Or if you are looking for a bit more of a laid back adventure, visit one of the states many impressive hot springs for a relaxing soak and invigorating run back to the locker room.
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Park To Visit In Wyoming
February 11, 2022
Sara Dager
How much snowfall does Wyoming get each year? Wyoming can be a pretty snowy state, but with its size, averaging out the snowfall can lead to misinformation depending on what part you are in. In the East where the elevation is higher, snowfall can ranger from about 60-70 inches a year, mostly between November and May. However, in the Southwest area where it is more dry and there is less elevation, the average is closer to 45-55 inches. There are storms on average about five times a year that drop around five inches at once, and rarely a really big storm can leave over a foot of snow behind, but this is quite uncommon. Wyoming can be quite a windy state though, so even lower amounts of total snowfall can still lead to less than ideal conditions. What was the biggest snowfall in Wyoming? Over the fourth and fifth of April 1955, Sheridan Wyoming saw one of the largest blizzards that is on record to this day. The intense blizzard lasted a little over 43 hours in total and 39 inches of snow fell during this time, trapping many people in their homes for days on end. This level of blizzard was unexpected in volume, length, and odd for how late in the year it occurred. No storm to this level has happened in Wyoming since. To read more about this blizzard, take a look at this article. What are the best outdoor activities in winter in Wyoming? Wyoming has so many fun winter activities that are perfect for the whole family! You can choose from dog sledding, sleigh rides, skiing, snowmobiling, and any other winter sport your heart desires. Or if you are looking for a bit more of a laid back adventure, visit one of the states many impressive hot springs for a relaxing soak and invigorating run back to the locker room.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Wyoming can be a pretty snowy state, but with its size, averaging out the snowfall can lead to misinformation depending on what part you are in. In the East where the elevation is higher, snowfall can ranger from about 60-70 inches a year, mostly between November and May. However, in the Southwest area where it is more dry and there is less elevation, the average is closer to 45-55 inches. There are storms on average about five times a year that drop around five inches at once, and rarely a really big storm can leave over a foot of snow behind, but this is quite uncommon. Wyoming can be quite a windy state though, so even lower amounts of total snowfall can still lead to less than ideal conditions.
What was the biggest snowfall in Wyoming?
Over the fourth and fifth of April 1955, Sheridan Wyoming saw one of the largest blizzards that is on record to this day. The intense blizzard lasted a little over 43 hours in total and 39 inches of snow fell during this time, trapping many people in their homes for days on end. This level of blizzard was unexpected in volume, length, and odd for how late in the year it occurred. No storm to this level has happened in Wyoming since. To read more about this blizzard, take a look at this article.
What are the best outdoor activities in winter in Wyoming?
Wyoming has so many fun winter activities that are perfect for the whole family! You can choose from dog sledding, sleigh rides, skiing, snowmobiling, and any other winter sport your heart desires. Or if you are looking for a bit more of a laid back adventure, visit one of the states many impressive hot springs for a relaxing soak and invigorating run back to the locker room.
