Yellowstone is STILL
America’s Winter Playground
 Websites
and Forums are buzzing with rumors and stories regarding
snowmobile & snowcoach access in the park. Some of the
information out there is correct, while much is also
very inaccurate.
 FACT:
The number of snowmobiles permitted into the park has
been reduced, to a daily total of 318, with over half of
those, 160, admitted from the West Entrance.
FACT:
You can now only go into the park on a BAT 4 stroke
Snowmobile.
FACT:
You must go in with a park approved guide.
FACT:
You will have one of the most memorable experiences of
your life.
FICTION:
"Having a guide is too restrictive". Riding with a
qualified interpretive guide will enhance your trip. The
guides are there to help you, to offer information you
may not be aware of.
FICTION:
"There’s nowhere to ride in Yellowstone now". The
groomed trails in the Park follow the main roads.
Additionally, outside the park you can ride over 600
miles of groomed trails and hundreds of thousands of
acres of powder riding. A ride to the “Snow Ghosts” of
Two Top should be a must for every snowmobiler.
FICTION:
"Everything will be booked". While the limited numbers
make the trips more exclusive, the eight concessionaires
operating out of West Yellowstone are working together
to maximize the number of sleds available. You can still
book your dream vacation.
If you have any questions, please call or e-mail us. We
will be happy to answer your questions regarding park
access.
Yellowstone Winter
Use Plan Update:
New Winter Use Plan Completed For Yellowstone
A new plan to provide for
limited, regulated snowmobile and snowcoach access in
Yellowstone National Park for the next two winters has
been approved. An Environmental Assessment (EA) and
proposed rule were released for public review last fall.
Comments received have been reviewed, and a ‘Finding of
No Significant Impact’ has been signed. The plan allows
up to 318 commercially guided, Best Available Technology
(BAT) snowmobiles, and up to 78 commercially guided
snowcoaches in a day in Yellowstone for the 2009-2010
and 2010-2011 winter seasons. It also continues to
provide for motorized over snow travel over Sylvan Pass
and the East Entrance road. During the next two years,
the National Park Service will prepare a new
Environmental Impact Statement and a new long term plan
for winter use in Yellowstone National Park. A ‘Final
Rule’ to implement the decision was published in the
November 20, 2009 Federal Register, to allow the parks
to open for the winter season as scheduled on December
15, 2009.
(information from nps.gov website)
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