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Yellowstone National Park is one of the best national parks in the US — a vast wilderness and recreation area covering 3,500 square miles. Although it's not the reserve's size marking it as one of the top attractions in the US for outdoorsy thrill seekers and nature lovers, it's its position atop a literal volcanic hotspot — earning it celebrity as one of the most unique destinations in the United States.
Sprawling across Wyoming for the most part and onto parts of Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone National Park boasts pronounced canyons, beautiful alpine rivers, luscious forests, natural hot springs, and gushing geysers — the latter consisting of its most famous hot water jet: Old Faithful, which erupts periodically. In fact, this legendary spouter is one of Yellowstone's most famous features, and reading up on how to time the perfect visit to Old Faithful is recommended to see it in all its hydrothermal glory.
With its special place on the US map, Yellowstone has over 10,000 hydrothermal natural features among its almost unearthly conglomerate of hot springs, fumaroles, travertine terraces, mud pots, and geysers. All of this natural heat and hydrothermal spots bubbling within the park have led to populations of proliferating microorganisms called thermophiles (a scientific term meaning 'heat-loving') residing within its warm features — which evoke vivid, bright colors across its terrain.
Favored by outdoor enthusiasts for being one of the US national parks that have the best overnight trips, Yellowstone is also famed for its intense abundance of diverse wildlife specimens. Home to hundreds of animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk, and antelope, the park's vastness contains a wealth of wild animals perfect for nature watchers, photographers, and those who can't get enough of the fascinating, authentic natural world — offering ample opportunity to witness it for real in the flesh, not just on the TV screen.
As well as being the first national park in the US first established in 1872, Yellowstone is extraordinary in that it offers thrilling outdoor adventures, beautiful trails, and breathtaking scenery. Plus, its striking natural colors and formations are so spectacular that they're practically extraterrestrial in some parts, affording stunning photography opportunities.
While there's no lack of things to do in Yellowstone and just as many areas to explore in and around the reserve, one particular Montana town gets notoriety as one of the top destinations near Yellowstone National Park, serving as a home base for visitors and a gateway into the gargantuan recreational sanctuary — and its name is Bozeman, MT.
Why Is Bozeman, Montana, Famous?
Located just an hour and a half from Yellowstone National Park, Bozeman is one of the best towns in Montana — for both visitors and residents. The virtually limitless outdoor recreation, low rates of crime, good schools, gorgeous parks, and trails, and a sense of community pulsating through its lovely neighborhoods collectively make Bozeman a fantastic place to visit and live — not to mention its close vicinity to Yellowstone, drawing in outdoor escapists and recreational bunnies seeking adventure throughout the year, even in winter.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Yellowstone National Park?
Naturally, being a surreal national park with gorgeous trails, scenery, and epic outdoor recreation, among the best times to visit Yellowstone National Park are the warmer months in spring and summer. Fall comes in as another popular time to visit the park, as visiting Yellowstone in fall entails unique wildlife patterns, fall foliage, and more. However, thanks to better weather during peak season, the crowds descend during this time, and thus, tour and activity prices hike up.
Fortunately for those who prefer to beat the higher price tags and enjoy crowd-free reign over the park, a more intimate, private experience can be enjoyed in winter — an escapade spent exploring many of the park's exquisite trails, visiting the top Yellowstone attractions, and enjoying the stunning landscapes all to themselves. With that in mind, the following tour explains why visiting Yellowstone is an incredible adventure that's just as magical as any other time of the year — but notably quite different, of course.
About This Yellowstone Tour From Bozeman
- Yellowstone Winter Tour Name: VIP Private North Yellowstone National Park Winter Excursion
- Yellowstone Winter Tour Price: From $350.00
- Duration: 5 to 7 hours (approximately)
There are plenty of things to do in Yellowstone besides hiking — and an expert-led tour from the comfort of a warm vehicle comes top among them in the depths of winter. Operated by Globe Trekkers Tours — a top-rated Yellowstone tours company — this winter Yellowstone National Park tour from Bozeman is a recreational fan favorite. Inarguably, Yellowstone is at its most enchanting in the winter - when all the spring and summer crowds have left, and the reserve's wildlife is abundant and out in full force.
The best way to experience Yellowstone National Park during this quiet, wildlife-rich time? Option for a private tour from Bozeman, of course — one that takes visitors to the park via the North Entrance and onward to check out its world-famous steaming hot springs and geysers jetting into the sky. This memorable trip (which conveniently induces pick up and drop off from guests' accommodation) is ideal for those who would prefer to leave the planning, driving, and navigation to a trusted local expert. While the friendly tour guide concentrates on driving and getting to each stop on the route, tour participants can sit back, relax, and only worry about keeping their eyes peeled for the mesmerizing Yellowstone scenery and wildlife, such as elk, bison, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and much more.
What's Included In This Tour Of Yellowstone National Park In Winter?
- All fees and taxes
- Bottled water
- Private transportation
- Snacks and soda/pop
- Use of SLR camera and binoculars
- Hotel or Airbnb pick up and drop off
Not included:
- Lunch
- Gratuities
What To Expect On This Winter Tour Of Yellowstone National Park
Paradise Valley (Pass By)
Paradise Valley is a famous river valley of the Yellowstone River in southwestern Montana — a scenic spot just north of Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Montana. Flanked by the Absaroka Range on the east and the Gallatin Range to the west, the iconic Yellowstone River flows through the valley, performing a spectacle akin to a picture-perfect postcard — made even more impressive for its world-class fly-fishing and nearby spring creeks, such as DePuy Spring Creek.
The valley also boasts plenty of other natural wonders, including a handful of natural hot springs, such as La Duke Hot Springs near Gardiner, Chico Hot Springs near Emigrant, Montana, and Hunter's Hot Springs near Livingston. Nearby, imposing mountains await, with Mount Cowen in the Absaroka mountain range being the largest peak near the valley — rising from the landscape to 11,212 feet (3,417 meters) in elevation.
Yankee Jim Canyon
Another stop on this tour is the famous Yankee Jim Canyon — a short, narrow canyon located on the Yellowstone River and around 13 miles north of Yellowstone Park. Amazingly, this canyon is home to the largest whitewater rapids on the Yellowstone River outside the park's boundaries, attracting thrill-seeking boaters and rafters to this area since boating on the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone park's borders is not allowed.
Gardiner
The tour also takes visitors to Gardiner, MT — the original entrance to Yellowstone and home to Roosevelt Arch. Gardiner itself is a small hamlet located in the impossibly beautiful Paradise Valley, where the Yellowstone River runs right through the town.
Mammoth Hot Springs
For the next stop, guests can visit Mammoth Hot Springs Yellowstone — a magnificent expression of the profound volcanic powers at work across the park, showing on the surface as sumptuous, natural hot springs. There are boardwalks for people to walk along in order to see the different areas at this spot, including the Mammoth Terraces (upper and lower), the hot spring itself, and the hot springs cone known as Liberty Cap. Interestingly, these springs are outside the caldera boundary; however, their energy comes from the same magmatic system that fuels other hydrothermal hotspots within Yellowstone.
Undine Falls
Furthermore, visitors get the chance to witness one of the most scenic waterfalls in the north section of Yellowstone National Park. This majestic waterfall often freezes over in the winter, creating dramatic icy scenery as the river continues to flow behind the falls.
Slough Creek
The stop at Slough Creek opens up views of the beginning of Lamar Valley, where seeing wildlife during the winter months is very likely. As such, cameras and binoculars are must-haves for this point!
Visitors with a passion for the park's critters will love to learn about Yellowstone's apex animals at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center!
Is Visiting Yellowstone National Park In Winter Worth It?
Visiting Yellowstone is absolutely worth it in the winter months, as it's significantly different from how it looks and the activities it offers during peak season. Exploring the park during wintertime offers unique experiences (from winter hiking to skiing and snowshoeing), abundant wildlife encounters, and enchanting scenery that's completely unique compared to other times of the year.
What's more, other reasons to enjoy the park in the chillier months (by taking this tour, specifically) include:
- Experience Yellowstone National Park when all the crowds have disappeared
- Enjoy a private tour — exclusively for the booking party
- Savor a personalized experience with a friendly, knowledgeable guide leading the trip
- Witness the park's iconic steaming geysers, hot springs, and wildlife, including elk, bighorn sheep, bison, coyotes, and more
- Easy, stress-free pickup from your Bozeman hotel — as well as safe drop off after the day's trip.
What To Know Before Touring Yellowstone National Park In Winter
- Tour guides will contact all travelers one or two before the trip's start date to do a final confirmation and provide information about the experience.
- The tour operator recommends dressing warm during the winter months and wearing water and snow-proof shoes.
- It's not advised to plan this tour on the last day of a vacation or as a last-minute experience; the region experiences unpredictable weather in winter, which may incur sudden tour cancelation and rescheduling. Book with plenty of time to spare to avoid missing out if the weather turns sour!
- Bozeman's offerings of tourist accommodation aren't exactly on the lower end of the price tag, thanks to its tourism surge in recent years — though travelers can find a place to stay for a reasonable sum if they book early. Still, if funds are running a little dry, travelers may wish to consider budget lodging in the most affordable places to book in Yellowstone.