United States, North America

Yellowstone in February

Steaming geysers in snow and frosted bison make winter's case. Book snowcoach tours ahead; the season is short and capacity is limited.

TradeoffsDeep winter, highs near 29F (-2C)

Aerial view of Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone — YellowstonePhoto: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

February is a month of real tradeoffs in Yellowstone. Steaming geysers in snow and frosted bison make winter's case. Book snowcoach tours ahead; the season is short and capacity is limited.

Weather: Deep winter, highs near 29F (-2C)
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What February is like in Yellowstone

February is still deep winter, with highs near 29F (-2C), cold nights, and plenty of snow. The interior is open only by guided snowcoach or snowmobile, and the northern road remains the only route for regular cars. Steaming geysers in snow and frosted bison make the case for a winter trip, and crowds are tiny.

It suits photographers, wildlife fans, and families with older kids who love snow and can handle the cold. Book snowcoach tours early, since the season is short and seats are limited. If you want to drive the Grand Loop yourself and see everything, wait for late May, June, or September.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about Yellowstone this month.

Geysers in the snow

Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin look their most dramatic in the cold, with huge steam clouds and very few people.

Frosted bison

Bison with ice-covered coats near the thermal areas are one of the classic winter scenes in the park.

Winter wolf watching

The northern valleys are the place to be, and February's snow keeps the wolves visible from the road.

What to pack for February

A warm parka and insulated snow boots
Layers you can add for snowcoach stops
Sunglasses or goggles for glare off the snow
A thermos for hot drinks

Our timing tip

Book your snowcoach or snowmobile tour well before February, and plan a spare day in case weather cancels a trip.

Book Yellowstone for February.

Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.

Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Yellowstone
Opens a hotel search for Yellowstone in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Yellowstone
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Yellowstone
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Yellowstone for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in February

Winter wolf-watching season

December through March in the northern valleys

Snow concentrates prey and makes wolves visible; the Lamar Valley draws spotters from around the world all winter.

Things to do in Yellowstone

Full guide

Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin

See the famous eruption, then walk the basin's boardwalks, where Grand, Riverside, and Castle geysers reward those who check predicted times at the visitor center.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Grand Prismatic Spring

The boardwalk gets you close; the overlook trail from the Fairy Falls parking area gets you the postcard view. Midday color is best, midday parking is worst.

Tickets and tours →

Lamar Valley at dawn

The park's wildlife theater: wolves, bison, bears, and pronghorn. Bring binoculars, arrive before sunrise, and pull fully off the road to watch.

Tickets and tours →

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Artist Point at sunrise is the classic. The Uncle Tom's area and North Rim viewpoints each frame the Lower Falls differently; give the canyon a half day.

Tickets and tours →

Hayden Valley

The central bison superhighway, best at dawn and dusk. Traffic jams here are caused by the residents; budget slack time in every drive.

Tickets and tours →

Mammoth Hot Springs

Travertine terraces near the year-round North Entrance. In September and October, rutting elk take over the lawns; give them serious distance.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Work dawn to 10am and 5pm to dusk, and hide out midday: wildlife and parking both vanish in the middle of the day in summer, and both return in the evening.
Sleep inside the park or in Gardiner or Cooke City on the quieter north side; day-trippers from West Yellowstone and Jackson all surge in on the same schedule.
Drive the Grand Loop counterclockwise to the day-tripper flow and hit the marquee basins at breakfast or dinner time rather than at noon.
Walk ten minutes past any trailhead: even in August, the crowds evaporate a half mile from the road at spots like the Fairy Falls approach or the canyon rim trails.

Know before you go

Most park roads close to regular vehicles from about early November to late April, with openings staged through spring: west-side roads typically first in late April, higher passes like Dunraven last, into late May. Snow can delay any of it.
The one year-round road runs across the park's north side, from the North Entrance at Gardiner through Mammoth to the Northeast Entrance and Cooke City. In winter that is the only park road for regular cars, and the highway beyond Cooke City closes seasonally.
Winter interior access runs roughly mid December to mid March, by commercially guided snowcoach and snowmobile only, to destinations like Old Faithful. It is unforgettable, capacity-limited, and priced accordingly; book well ahead.
In-park lodges, campgrounds, and services operate seasonally, mostly from May or June to early October, with only limited winter operations. October and April visitors should expect most services closed even when some roads are open.

Yellowstone in February, quick answers

Is February a good time to visit Yellowstone?

February is a month of real tradeoffs in Yellowstone. Steaming geysers in snow and frosted bison make winter's case. Book snowcoach tours ahead; the season is short and capacity is limited.

What is the weather like in Yellowstone in February?

Deep winter, highs near 29F (-2C).

Is Yellowstone crowded in February?

February is one of the quieter months in Yellowstone; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Yellowstone in February?

Winter wolf-watching season (december through march in the northern valleys).