America’s first national park is a beautiful and inspiring vacation destination in the spring, summer, and fall. But during the long, cold season, a unique and tranquil beauty unfolds. Join us for a photo tour of this spectacular winter wonderland.
Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming is one of America’s most popular national parks and much more than a summer destination. During the winter season, Yellowstone transforms into a wonderland perfect for wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and photography. Here are five reasons to love Yellowstone in the winter.
1. THERMAL SPRING
Yellowstone’s hot springs are often characterized by a beautiful deep turquoise color that turns yellow-orange on the outer edges, due to the bacteria that live in these bubbling waters. The thermal waters that flow from the travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs near the park’s north entrance are constantly changing. A series of walks between the terraces is the best way to enjoy the vibrant colors and distinctive patterns of these stair-like formations. Midway Geyser Basin offers a walk through the sometimes smoky, sulfurous mist that rises from the hot springs. Many of Yellowstone’s rivers, such as the Madison, don’t freeze in winter because the hot thermal water mixes with the rivers.
2. Wildlife
Spotting bison in the snow is one of Yellowstone’s great winter pleasures. The park’s large residents are most often seen around the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek in the area known as the Northern Range. Coyotes, found throughout the park, feed on rodents, rabbits, and other small animals. While Yellowstone’s elk herds number between 10,000 and 20,000 animals during the warm season, that number has dwindled to about 5,000 in the winter as elk move to lower elevations outside the park to survive.
3. OLD BELIEVERS
Old Faithful is a reliable crowd pleaser because it erupts about 20 times a day. People gather and wait patiently for a steamy water show that rises 100 to 180 feet (30 to 55 meters) high and lasts 5 to 5 minutes. Park rangers can accurately predict when Old Faithful will next erupt, which can last anywhere from 35 to 120 minutes. In the winter, the Old Faithful complex is accessible by snowmobile or snowmobile.
4. THE NORTHERN ZONE
The only road that remains open to traffic in Yellowstone during the winter runs from the park’s north entrance in Gardiner, Montana, to the small hamlet of Cooke City, just across from the park’s northeast entrance. This part of the park is known as the Northern Range and consists of wide open snowfields interrupted by the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek. In winter, it is a popular hangout for bison.
5. OLD FAITHFUL SNEI LODGE AND CABINS
Currently, the only option for overnight stays in the park during the winter season is the cozy Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins, accessible by snowmobile or snowmobile. If Yellowstone suits your winter travel style, the lodge makes a comfortable base.