Wolf Tracking, Wildlife Viewing, and Snowshoeing in a Snowy Wonderland
Winter in Yellowstone Private Journey
Overview
Experience the majesty of Yellowstone National Park as few others do—in winter, when peace and solitude permeate the land, the snowy forests are cloaked in mystical silence, and the rivers breathe clouds of steam into the frosty air. Accompanied by your private naturalist guide, you'll journey into the glacier-sculpted Lamar Valley, a veritable Serengeti in the snow, in search of the herds of bison, elk, and pronghorn that descend to this lower elevation refuge, as well as their attendant predators—the iconic grey wolves. Yellowstone's wildlife is easier to spot in the snow during this “secret season”—you can even see their tracks. The sight of steaming geysers and snowy mountains under crisp blue skies creates perfect photo opportunities, and you'll have many on your snowshoe and cross-country ski outings on the park trails. All these outings are tailored to your interests, and they offer an ideal way to explore Yellowstone in winter. Having your own private guide maximizes your chances of seeing wildlife and also offers an “insider's” opportunity to learn about the ecology, scientific studies, and conservation efforts in Yellowstone. Your final overnight is at century-old Chico Hot Springs Resort, a stone's throw from the Yellowstone River, where you can soak in the big, open-air pools fed by natural mineral hot springs. We highly recommend our day-trip extension by snowcoach to Old Faithful, where you'll have the famous geyser almost all to yourself!
Arrive: Bozeman, Montana
Depart: Bozeman, Montana
Highlights
- Search for the famed wolf packs of the Lamar Valley with your private guide, a seasoned naturalist who is involved in the wolf-monitoring community
- Look for bison, moose, pronghorn antelope, river otters, and more in the snowy landscape
- Explore Yellowstone's trails on snowshoe and cross-country ski outings tailored to your interest
- Meet local wildlife photographer Dan Hartman at his cabin home for great birding and photo opportunities
- Swim and soak in the thermal pools at historic Chico Hot Springs Resort
- Extend with an exciting “snowcoach” journey to Old Faithful, the world's most famous geyser—without the crowds of summer!
Itinerary
Arrive in Bozeman, Montana, where you are met for a scenic drive to your hotel in the Old West town of Gardiner, just outside the North Entrance to Yellowstone. With your private naturalist guide, head to the renowned Lamar Valley, “the American Serengeti,” for sunrise viewing of the iconic packs of grey wolf. The valley teems with other wildlife in winter, from bison to elk, pronghorn, river otters, osprey, bald eagles, and coyotes, and the birdlife is phenomenal. Wildlife viewing excursions fill your mornings, with afternoons for snowshoe and cross-country ski outings on the park trails, tailored to your interests.
Your final night is in century-old Chico Hot Springs Resort, with its hot mineral pools, perfect for a soak. Depart on Day 5, or join our extension to snowshoe and dogsled at the incomparable Lone Mountain Ranch, with the option to visit Old Faithful Geyser without the crowds.
Dates & Pricing
Best months to go: Mid-December to March. For our Private Journeys, you choose your own group and your preferred dates. Prices are per person and not guaranteed until services are confirmed. Contact us for availability, questions, or to book your adventure!Payment & Cancel Schedule
At time of reservation: 25% of trip cost
90 days prior to departure: Balance
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Cancellation & Transfer Schedule
Minimum fee: $500 per person
61-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
45 days or less: 100% of trip cost
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Included
Not Included
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. Wildlife viewing takes place during drives and stops along mountain roads. Early mornings are the best time to see wildlife, so you will have early starts (about 6:00-6:30 am).
Gardiner, Montana, is at an altitude of 5,200 feet, Old Faithful geyser is at an altitude of 7,349 feet, and Yellowstone is in the far north of the US. Winter temperatures are extremely cold, averaging around 20°-30°F during the day but dropping as low as below 0°F sometimes. That said, you can be very comfortable outdoors if you have the right boots and clothing.
Review Trip Level Details
There are wonderful options for snowshoeing and cross-country ski outings of your choice on established trails. These are tailored to your personal interests, as easy or moderate as you choose. There is no extensive physical activity on the trip, but you should be in good physical shape to enjoy it to the fullest during the cold winter season.
With an average snowfall of 72 inches in December, it's no wonder that the majority of roads in Yellowstone are closed during the winter season. Daytime temperatures range from around 20-30°F throughout the day but can drop as low as 0°F. Sub-zero temperatures are common, especially at night and at higher elevations. Snowfall is highly variable. This kind of weather requires proper layers of clothing and footwear for comfort during outdoor activities.
We provide a suggested packing list, which will include felt-lined boots (such as Sorrel), a hooded, insulated jacket, water-resistant pants (ski pants are good), and insulated gloves. At Yellowstone's moderately high altitudes, sunglasses are a must for sunny days.
Accommodations are in comfortable hotels and lodges. Cuisine on the trip will be American-style, often with locally sourced items such as steak, trout, and duck.
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
Submit the form below to download itinerary
Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.