United States, North America

Yellowstone in January

Interior access is by guided snowcoach or snowmobile only. The northern road stays open to cars, and Lamar Valley wolf watching is at its winter best.

TradeoffsFrigid and snowy, highs near 25F (-4C), well below 0F overnight possible

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

The straight answer

January is a month of real tradeoffs in Yellowstone. Interior access is by guided snowcoach or snowmobile only. The northern road stays open to cars, and Lamar Valley wolf watching is at its winter best.

Weather: Frigid and snowy, highs near 25F (-4C), well below 0F overnight possible
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What January is like in Yellowstone

January is deep winter in Yellowstone. Highs sit near 25F (-4C), nights can drop well below 0F, and snow covers everything. The park's interior is reached only by guided snowcoach or snowmobile. The one road open to regular cars runs across the north side, from Gardiner through Mammoth to Cooke City, and it leads straight to Lamar Valley, where winter wolf watching is at its best.

This month suits wildlife watchers and travelers who want a quiet, snowy park and are willing to pay for guided winter tours. It is not for a classic road trip, and in-park services are very limited. If you want every road and lodge open, plan for late May, June, or September.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Yellowstone this month.

Wolves in Lamar Valley

Snow concentrates prey and makes wolves easier to spot. Arrive before sunrise with binoculars and pull fully off the road.

Snowcoach to Old Faithful

Guided snowcoach and snowmobile trips reach the geyser basins, where steam rises over snow and frosted bison. Capacity is limited, so book ahead.

Mammoth in winter

The travertine terraces near the North Entrance are open by car and look different wrapped in frost and steam.

What to pack for January

An insulated parka, snow pants, and warm boots rated well below 0F
Thermal base layers and wool socks
Binoculars or a spotting scope for wolves
Hand and toe warmers
Traction devices for icy boardwalks

Our timing tip

Base yourself in Gardiner and be in Lamar Valley before sunrise, when wolves are most active and the roadside pullouts are still empty.

Book Yellowstone for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Yellowstone
Opens a hotel search for Yellowstone in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
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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.
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Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Yellowstone
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Yellowstone for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in January

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.

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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.

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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.