DAY TRIPS
SEE YELLOWSTONE IN WINTER
If
YOU’RE NOT A FAN OF CROWDS, Yellowstone is the place to be in winter. Come November, visitation drops to less than 1,500 people a day; a far cry from the traffic jammedboardwalks in the summer time. The only entrance open to vehicles in the nation’s first national park is through Gardiner, Montana into Mammoth Hot Springs. If it’s open, stop for a soak in the Boiling River. At Mammoth, take the boardwalk around the amazing natural wonders of the springs and Upper Terraces, or drive toward the northeast entrance to see the sprawling Lamar Valley. Make sure to bring binoculars; this is the prime season to see wolves! Several cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trailheads are available from Mammoth to the northeast entrance, with skier shuttles available in Mammoth. Transportation to other areas of the park is available by snowcoach or snowmobile. Both snowcoach and snowmobile tours are provided from most entrances, with West Yellowstone being a popular pick-
up point to get to Old Faithful. Guided day trips are available to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, or an evening tour filled with steams and stars could take your breath away. Beginning December 15th, stay at the newly remodeled Mammoth Hotel, or historic Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Warming huts are available throughout the park, with yurts located at Old Faithful. Yellowstone National Park Lodges offers packages for lodging and activities. Yellowstone Forever has an entire winter catalog of youth and adult learning programs, teacher initiatives and field seminars. Bear in mind, it will be cold! Come prepared with proper gear and ready to learn.
i
More information available at www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/-visitingyellowstone-in-winter.htm, www.yelowstone.org, and www.yellostonenationalparklodges.com
BIG SKY PUBLISHING WINTER DAYTRIPPER 2017
7