MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — The 2023-2023 winter lottery for non-commercial snowmobile permits in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) opens Aug. 1, the park announced Tuesday.
Trips can be for a maximum of three days in length and permits cost $40 per day with a $6 application fee. Winter travel hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Every year in early November, most park roads close to regular traffic in preparation for the winter season. The only exception is the road between Mammoth Hot Springs and the northeast entrance, which is open to regular traffic all year.
Roads open to “oversnow” travel only, usually by mid-December. The only way to visit Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and other popular destinations during winter is by guided snowmobile, guided snowcoach or through a non-commercial snowmobile permit.
Oversnow travel ends in mid-March when plowing crews begin clearing a winter’s worth of snow. Roads start reopening to cars in mid-April.
This year’s non-commercial snowmobile lottery will be open on www.recreation.gov from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31. Successful applicants will be notified in early September. Unclaimed or canceled permits will be made available via www.recreation.gov on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on Oct. 1. Cancellations may occur throughout the winter season and those permits will be made available through the webiste. There is no waitlist.
Permit holders are considered non-commercial guides and must be at least 18 years old on the first day of their trip. All snowmobile operators must possess a state-issued driver’s license and successfully complete the free online Yellowstone Snowmobile Education Certification program. All snowmobiles must meet the park’s new “Best Available Technology” standard.
Authorized in 2013, the non-commercially guided snowmobile access program allows permit-holders to enter the park for up to three days with a group of up to five snowmobilers.
