Yellowstone National Park Winter Wildlife Safari
Trip Highlights
Description
Tour info
Why take this tour?
Winter transforms Yellowstone into a quieter, starker version of itself — steaming hot springs against snow-draped peaks, frozen waterfalls, and wildlife pushed down into the valleys where they're easier to spot. This tour is built for guests who want the Northern Range's wildlife and geology in a single day, with an expert naturalist guide handling the tracking and interpretation, and a hot springs soak built in to close out the day.
Wildlife You May Spot
Winter strips away the foliage and brings animals into the open, making it one of the best seasons for wildlife viewing. Depending on conditions and a bit of luck, you may encounter: • Wolves • Bison • Elk • Moose • Coyotes • Red Foxes • Bighorn Sheep • Mountain Goats • Bald Eagles • Great Horned Owls • Mule Deer • Beavers • Trumpeter Swans Your guide brings Vortex™ spotting scopes and binoculars and will teach basic tracking techniques to help you spot and safely photograph wildlife in winter.
Included
- Full-day guided winter tour of Yellowstone National Park
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, Airbnb, or VRBO
- Professional CPR & First Aid certified guide with winter safety training
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks, bottled water, and hot beverages
- Use of Vortex™ spotting scopes and binoculars for wildlife viewing
- Heated transportation in a Chevy Suburban SUV or Ford Transit Van
- Day-use passes at a mineral hot spring resort
Excluded
- National Park entry fees (purchase in advance recommended)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide gratuity (18–20% is recommended and greatly appreciated)
Frequently asked questions
Winter is one of the best times for wildlife viewing in Yellowstone. With snow on the ground and foliage gone, animals are more visible in the open valleys. Possible sightings include wolves, bison, elk, moose, coyotes, red foxes, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bald eagles, great horned owls, mule deer, beavers, and trumpeter swans. Sightings depend on conditions and a bit of luck—your guide brings Vortex™ scopes and will teach basic tracking techniques.
We pick up from hotels, Airbnbs, VRBOs, or a mutually agreed-upon location. Standard pick-up times are: 7:00 AM from Bozeman, 7:30 AM from Paradise Valley, and 8:00 AM from Gardiner. Start times are adjusted seasonally to maximize daylight and wildlife viewing. If your location isn't listed, call us and we'll coordinate a convenient meeting point. Please allow a 10–15 minute grace window for guide arrival.
No—National Park entry fees are not included in the tour price. We recommend purchasing your pass in advance. Your guide can advise on the best option for your group.
This is an adults-only tour with a 2-guest minimum and a maximum of 8 guests per vehicle. For groups larger than 8, an additional guide and vehicle are required to ensure comfort, safety, and the highest quality experience.
Yellowstone winters can be cold and snowy, but dressing in layers makes all the difference. We recommend: a windproof, hooded outer shell; insulated base layers (avoid cotton); wool or synthetic long underwear; thick socks and sturdy winter boots; a warm hat, gloves or mittens, and a neck gaiter or scarf. Optional: disposable hand warmers for added comfort. Those prone to cold hands may want glove liners or mittens with inner heat packs.
The Winter Wildlife Safari runs November 1 through April 16—the prime winter season in Yellowstone when snow is on the ground and wildlife is at its most visible.
Day-use passes to a local mineral hot spring resort are included in your tour. After a full day in the winter cold, soaking in natural mineral hot springs is a wonderful way to warm up and wind down. This is an optional activity—your guide will coordinate timing based on the group's preference.
Things to know
Pick-Up Times & Locations
We offer convenient pick-up from hotels, Airbnbs, VRBOs, or a mutually agreed-upon location. Standard pick-up times: 7:00 AM from Bozeman, 7:30 AM from Paradise Valley, and 8:00 AM from Gardiner. If your location isn't listed, give us a call. Please allow a 10–15 minute grace window for guide arrival due to weather, wildlife migration, and road conditions.
Group Size & Age
This is an adults-only tour with a 2-guest minimum and a maximum of 8 guests per vehicle. For groups larger than 8, an additional guide and vehicle are required to ensure comfort, safety, and the highest quality experience.
National Park Entry Fees
National Park entry fees are not included in the tour price. We recommend purchasing your Yellowstone pass in advance before your tour date. Your guide can advise on the best option.
Gratuity
Guide gratuity is not included in the tour price. An 15–20% gratuity is recommended and greatly appreciated.
Season & Availability
Available November 1 through April 16. This is Yellowstone's true winter season—snow-covered valleys, frozen waterfalls, and wildlife highly visible in the open terrain.
What to Wear
Dress in layers for cold and snowy conditions: a windproof, hooded outer shell; insulated base layers (avoid cotton); wool or synthetic long underwear; thick socks and sturdy winter boots; a warm hat, gloves or mittens, and a neck gaiter or scarf. Optional: disposable hand warmers. Those prone to cold hands should consider glove liners or mittens with heat packs.
Winter Safety
Your guide is CPR and First Aid certified with specialized winter safety training. Heated transportation is provided throughout the day in a Chevy Suburban SUV or Ford Transit Van.
Pick-Up Times & Locations
We offer convenient pick-up from hotels, Airbnbs, VRBOs, or a mutually agreed-upon location. Standard pick-up times: 7:00 AM from Bozeman, 7:30 AM from Paradise Valley, and 8:00 AM from Gardiner. If your location isn't listed, give us a call. Please allow a 10–15 minute grace window for guide arrival due to weather, wildlife migration, and road conditions.
Group Size & Age
This is an adults-only tour with a 2-guest minimum and a maximum of 8 guests per vehicle. For groups larger than 8, an additional guide and vehicle are required to ensure comfort, safety, and the highest quality experience.
National Park Entry Fees
National Park entry fees are not included in the tour price. We recommend purchasing your Yellowstone pass in advance before your tour date. Your guide can advise on the best option.
Gratuity
Guide gratuity is not included in the tour price. An 15–20% gratuity is recommended and greatly appreciated.
Season & Availability
Available November 1 through April 16. This is Yellowstone's true winter season—snow-covered valleys, frozen waterfalls, and wildlife highly visible in the open terrain.
What to Wear
Dress in layers for cold and snowy conditions: a windproof, hooded outer shell; insulated base layers (avoid cotton); wool or synthetic long underwear; thick socks and sturdy winter boots; a warm hat, gloves or mittens, and a neck gaiter or scarf. Optional: disposable hand warmers. Those prone to cold hands should consider glove liners or mittens with heat packs.
Winter Safety
Your guide is CPR and First Aid certified with specialized winter safety training. Heated transportation is provided throughout the day in a Chevy Suburban SUV or Ford Transit Van.
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