YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — The 2024-2025 winter lottery for non-commercial snowmobile permits in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) opens Thursday, Aug. 1, the park announced Monday.
The lottery will run 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 can occur throughout the winter season and those permits will be made available through the website. There is no waitlist.
Trips can last for a maximum of three days in length and permits cost $40 per day with a $6 application fee. Permits allow groups of up to five snowmobilers ages 18 and over. All snowmobilers must possess a state-issued driver’s license and complete the free online Yellowstone Snowmobile Education Certification program, and all machines must meet the park’s New Best Available Technology standard.
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.
