On our last trip to Jackson Hole, we decided to do something we’ve always wanted to do before – visit Yellowstone National Park. And, what better way to explore the park then by riding a snowmobile in Yellowstone?

During the winter, the road closes between Jackson and Yellowstone, so the only way to get there is by snowmobile or snow coach (a big bus with snow wheels). I’ve never snowmobiled before, so it sounded like the coolest way to explore the park – and I was right, the trip was insane!

With snow covering the entire park, and with limited tourists, it’s the most amazing way to see Yellowstone. And, you get a fun adventure driving your snowmobile through the open roads – you’re actually driving through the roads typically used by cars. The park feels almost desolate, like you have the whole park to yourself.

It’s, by far, my favorite thing we did on our trip to Jackson. And, don’t worry – you don’t need to be an expert snowmobile driver. You have the ability to go up to 60mph, but there’s no crazy jumps or mountains to climb. You’ll stick to main roads the whole trip, so it feels very safe.

If you’re looking for a full detailed itinerary for Jackson Hole, including restaurants, bars & activities, be sure to check out my post HERE.

What to know before going

The tour costs approx. $525 for a single rider, $330 for a passenger
- We rode our own snowmobiles – I’ve heard that riding as a passenger is much colder
- We booked through Scenic Safaris – after looking through reviews at multiple companies, we found them to be super reputable
- Pricing does not include park entry – you can use your America The Beauty Pass for entrance, but if you do not have, it’s $20 per person
Grab & go breakfast included (granola bars, apples, etc.)
Lunch is included (sandwiches, chips, waters)
The company provides snow gear (boots, a snowsuit and a helmet) – we stayed nice & warm with the provided clothing
Transportation to and from the hotel is included – your guide will pick you up & drop you off right at your hotel
Groups are about 6-8 people total
All drivers must have a valid driver’s license and be 16 years or older
Make sure to bring:
- Warm thermal layers for under your snow gear
- A neck gaiter or balaclava – your face will be exposed to the cold without one
- Warm gloves
- Ski goggles – we put these on over our helmets, which allowed for better visibility

Snowmobile in Yellowstone National Park

Get Geared up at Flagg Ranch

Your guide will pick you up around 6-6:30 AM for the day-trip. After gathering up everyone in your group, you’ll head over to Flagg Ranch, where you’ll get suited up in all the snow gear. It’s a little over an hour to get there, so you’ll be driving as the sun rises.

It’s soooo important to wear warm layers under the clothes provided. Temps can get into the negatives, so you want to bundle up as much as possible. With our thermals & all of the gear provided, we stayed warm the entire trip. It would be a much less enjoyable trip if you were freezing the whole time, so don’t worry about looking like a marshmallow man (like I did, haha).

You can also grab a coffee or some snacks at the store in the ranch prior to leaving on the tour!

Head into Yellowstone National Park

Hop on your snowmobile and get ready to explore! The guide will show you a quick step-by-step on how to ride the snowmobile, but if you’ve ever rode a jet ski before, it drives very similarly!

You’ll make a quick stop at the entrance sign into Yellowstone – grab a few photos & take in the views before you get back on the snowmobile.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

After driving a bit further into the park, you’ll stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin. Here you can explore multiple geysers in the area or spend time warming up in the cabin that has a running fireplace.

Old Faithful Geyser & Lunch

The next stop is the main attraction – the Old Faithful Geyser! Your guide will be checking the eruption time, that way you’ll get to this stop with about 30-minutes to eruption time. Scout out a good viewing spot, and be on the lookout for movement. You’ll start to notice some bubbling, and then, all of a sudden, water will start spurting into the air up to 185 feet high.

The eruption lasts about 5-minutes, and since the water is boiling, the steam released takes over the view. If you miss the beginning, you may be wondering where the eruption even is – so definitely pay close attention.

Biscuit Basin

This was definitely my favorite stop on the snowmobile in Yellowstone. Biscuit Basin is home to a huge sapphire pool, with multiple other brightly colored pools & geysers to see. Since the temps of all the pools are so warm – remember Yellowstone is sitting on top of volcanoes – there’s a lot of steam coming from them. But, it’s an incredible sight to see!

Kepler Cascades

Kepler Cascades is a huge waterfall with an overall drop of 150 feet. It’s such a sight to see in the winter, with the frozen & flowing parts of the waterfall creating an insanely beautiful sight.

Yellowstone lake Viewpoint

You’ll make a few other quick stops to take in the views from being so high up in the park. We got to stop & see the frozen Yellowstone Lake in the distance.

Head Back to Jackson Hole

Close to sunset, you’ll head back to Flagg Ranch to return the snowmobiles, drop off all your gear, and get back in the car to trek back to Jackson. You can stop in the store at the ranch, and grab a snack or even a beer for the ride back.