In order to operate the snowmobile inside Yellowstone National Park you have to have a valid drivers license. Children of age 6 or older are allowed to ride along as a passenger on the snowmobile. Yellowstone National Park is open to oversnow travel from December 15 to March 15.
Snowmobiling in Yellowstone Country is the best of the best and spring is a great time to visit. Longer days mean more riding, the skies are generally sunny and spring fever includes savoring the last of the snow.
The average hourly cost of a snowmobile rental range between $60 to $110, and a full-day rental can cost up to $180-$380 on average.
For the last four winters, Yellowstone and two neighboring park units have operated under a temporary plan that permits 720 snowmobiles per day in Yellowstone, but sets standards for their emissions and requires snowmobilers to be accompanied by commercial guides.
This large number of two stroke motors in the park created a serious noise and pollution problem that even snowmobile tour operators took issue with. This ruling allows riding to continue in the park, and give tourists ample opportunity to do so, without overwhelming the park with sleds.
Snowmobiling in Yellowstone Country MontanaLots of powder makes southwestern Montana a skiing haven, but it also means that the area enjoys a long snowmobiling season that sometimes stretches into early summer.
Snowmobile Destinations
- Granite Hot Springs. Distance: 30 Miles Round Trip.
- Gros Ventre Mountain Range. Distance: 50 Miles Round Trip.
- The Greys River. Distance: 70 Miles Round Trip.
- Togwotee Pass. Distance: 70 Miles Round Trip.
- Yellowstone National Park Grand Canyon.
- Yellowstone National Park Old Faithful.
The 7 Best Snowmobile Trails in the West Yellowstone Area
- Yellowstone National Park. More than 200 miles groomed trails welcome snowmobilers in Yellowstone National Park.
- Madison Arm Loop.
- South Plateau Trail.
- Two Top Trail.
- Horse Butte Loop.
- Lionhead Trail.
- Big Sky Trail.
Though not permitted within Glacier National Park boundaries, snowmobiling is a popular Winter sport near Glacier National Park. The north shore of Flathead Lake area offers more than 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and forest service roads about an hour from Glacier Park Airport.
Once enough snow accumulates (usually by mid-December), roads open to “oversnow” travel only. This means the only way to visit Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and other popular destinations during winter is by guided snowmobile or snowcoach, or through the non-commercially guided snowmobile program.
Snowpack ConditionsWest Yellowstone reports 0" of new snowfall today, and the ground is bare with a 0" snowpack. The mountain is perched in Montana at an elevation of 6,700ft, where the air temperature is about 51° right now.
Around mid-December, roads open to limited snowmobile and snowcoach travel. This means the only way to visit Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and other popular destinations during winter is by guided snowmobile or snowcoach, or through the non-commercially guided snowmobile access program.
The only road open year-round to automobiles is from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through the park to Cooke City, Montana (via Tower Junction).
Weather in December in Yellowstone is typically cold and snowy. Average temperatures for Mammoth Hot Springs are a high of 30, and a low of 12 degrees Fahrenheit (-1/ -10 degrees Celsius). On average there are 10 days of snow in Yellowstone in December.
This loop connects visitors to every classic gem, from Mammoth Hot Springs near the North Entrance to Fountain Pots and Old Faithful near the West and South Entrances. Simply driving the entire distance, whether going clockwise or counter, could take four to seven hours.
YELLOWSTONE HAS TWO DISTINCT SEASONSFacilities open on a staggered schedule and then close in September and October. Yellowstone National Park Lodges offers nine lodging facilities, in which two winter lodges are opened just before Christmas and close again in early March.
West Yellowstone has been called one of the best places to snowmobile on the planet. The season starts early and ends late, averaging 153 inches of dry, powdery snow each year. Cooke City is equally amazing, with late-season backcountry snowmobiling extending into June and sometimes even July.
Rental prices for a day 8 am – 6 pm can range from $99.00 to $227.00 per day depending on the year, make and model of the snowmobile. We suggest that you call to find out the pricing and possibility of having a rental package tailored to your vacation needs.
Snowmobile Rental Rates - Without Guide
| Sled Type | Best Use | Full Day |
|---|
| Touring Sled (1 Person) | Trail | $264.25 |
| Touring Sled (2 People) | Trail | $322.75 |
| Ski-Doo Renegade | Trail/Some off Trail | $264.25 |
| Polaris 800 RMK | Powder/Hills | $315.25 |
