Grand Canyon Day
- Length
- About 12 hours
- Pickup
- 6 a.m., Jackson area hotels
- Group cap
- 9 travellers
- Named stop
- Lower Yellowstone River Falls, 30 minutes, admission included
- Rating
- 4.4 from 13 reviews
Best Yellowstone Snowmobile Tours. Book Now And Ride To Old Faithful
There are 10 bookable winter tours on this page. Three Scenic Safaris day trips from Jackson run inside Yellowstone itself: two snowmobile days and one snowcoach day, all built around the park's oversnow roads. The rest of the tours ride the Bridger-Teton and Grand Teton side of the range, near Moran, Buffalo Valley and Turpin Meadow. No tour here departs from West Yellowstone, Gardiner or Cody; every one starts in the Jackson, WY area or just north of it.
- From $300
- 10 winter tours
- 4 enter the park
- 6 stay in Bridger-Teton
We compare the 10 tours on price, length, start point, operator and review count, with every figure taken from the live booking pages.
Winter Trail Permit Board
What A Winter Day On A Yellowstone Snowmobile Tour Looks Like
The shape of a Jackson full day barely changes between operators: pickup between 6 and 7:30 a.m., a van ride north to the South Entrance about 60 miles away, outfitting and a safety briefing, then groomed-road riding with four named stops before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon or evening. The whole thing runs 10 to 12 hours. Riding inside the park is guided by rule, not preference: 36 CFR 7.13 requires every Yellowstone snowmobile to travel with a commercial or permitted non-commercial guide.
The Van Ride South
From Jackson the South Entrance sits roughly 60 miles up the highway, and the group covers it by van before anyone touches a throttle. Pickup lands between 6 and 7:30 a.m. at Jackson area hotels, and the Grand Canyon day and the snowcoach both list a 6 a.m. start. That drive, plus outfitting and a safety briefing, is part of why the tours list 10 to 12 hours in total.
The Riding Itself
Once through the entrance, the day settles into a rhythm: groomed road, a stop, more road. The Old Faithful snowmobile day with Scenic Safaris names four stops. West Thumb Geyser Basin gets 45 minutes, Moose Falls only 5, Fountain Paint Pot a full hour, and Old Faithful 2 hours. That last number is not padding. The NPS reported a median eruption interval of about 102 minutes, plus or minus 10, as of January 2025, so a 2-hour stop usually covers at least one eruption with time to warm up.
Lunch, Cold And The Return
Lunch happens near Old Faithful, which has food, fuel, a warming hut and a visitor center in winter. That matters more than it sounds: daytime temperatures sit at 0 to 20 F (-18 to -7 C) per the NPS, and sub-zero is common at night and at elevation. Bison often walk the groomed roads themselves, so the pace stays unhurried. Winter wildlife along the oversnow roads includes elk, wolves, bighorn sheep, coyotes, foxes, otters, swans, eagles and ravens.
The return leg reverses the morning. Van back to Jackson, drop-off at your hotel, evening. Oversnow travel is permitted 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and the tours work well inside that window. If you want the stop-by-stop breakdown of one operator's day, see what happens on a Yellowstone snowmobile tour, and for clothing the NPS guidance is summarized in our snowmobile tour packing list.
Old Faithful Snowmobile Tours From Jackson Hole
One tour owns the Old Faithful run from Jackson: the Scenic Safaris Old Faithful Full-Day Snowmobile Tour, from $475, rated 4.8 across 338 reviews, running 10 to 12 hours with hotel pickup in the Jackson area. It is the most reviewed snowmobile day on this page and the standard against which the others measure. Because it rides inside the park, a professional guide is mandatory, and the group caps at 14 travellers. Park entrance fees are not in the price.
What The Price Covers
The $475 from-price includes snacks, lunch, bottled water, a professional guide, hotel pickup and drop-off in the Jackson, WY area, and use of a helmet. It excludes park entrance fees and the optional snowmobile damage waiver. The entrance fee point bites hardest for international visitors: the NPS lists an extra $100 per person for non-US residents aged 16 and over unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Children under 16 are free. Confirm current amounts on the NPS fees page before you budget. For the broader cost picture, our cost breakdown lines up all 10 tours.
The $475 Covers
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Bottled water
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Jackson, WY area
- Use of a helmet
Not In The $475
- Park entrance fees
- Optional snowmobile damage waiver
The Four Stops
The four named stops on the Old Faithful day total 3 hours 50 minutes. The rest of the 10 to 12 hour day goes to the van ride, outfitting and riding between stops.
Old Faithful gets 2 hours, which as noted usually covers an eruption given the roughly 102-minute median interval. West Thumb Geyser Basin gets 45 minutes. Moose Falls is a 5-minute stop. Fountain Paint Pot gets a full hour; it is a mud pot in the Lower Geyser Basin, colored red, yellow and brown by iron in the mud.
Rules, Fitness And Weather
Every driver must hold a valid driver's license. The listing expects moderate physical fitness and does not recommend the trip for pregnant travellers or anyone with back problems. It is not wheelchair accessible. Tell the operator about dietary needs at booking. Availability cannot be checked without starting a booking, and cards are only charged once availability is confirmed. The tour operates in all weather conditions; if it is cancelled for poor weather you get a different date or a full refund. Our rules and requirements guide and the driver license and age rules page cover the fine print.
Key Facts
| Price | From $475 per person |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8 from 338 reviews |
| Duration | 10 to 12 hours |
| Operator | Scenic Safaris |
| Group cap | 14 travellers |
| Included | Snacks, lunch, bottled water, guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, helmet |
| Excluded | Park entrance fees, optional damage waiver |
The Grand Canyon Of The Yellowstone By Snowmobile
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone by snowmobile is the other Scenic Safaris interior day: about 12 hours, a 6 a.m. hotel pickup in the Jackson area, and a group capped at 9, smaller than the Old Faithful trip's 14. Be aware the review pool is small, 13 reviews at 4.4, so the rating carries less weight than the 338 behind the Old Faithful tour. No price appears on the listing; check the live booking page for the current figure.
What The Canyon Shows In Winter
The trip runs the groomed road to the canyon rim, where the colorful walls and the Lower Yellowstone River Falls, often fringed with ice formations and mist, are the payoff. The listing gives the falls 30 minutes with the admission ticket included. One restriction matters: the upper viewing platform at Artist Point and the brinks of the Upper and Lower Falls are closed to all visitors under the concession operating plans. You see the canyon from the open rim viewpoints, not from those spots.
How It Differs From The Old Faithful Day
Different destination, different shape. The Old Faithful day stops at 4 thermal-basin and falls sites; the canyon day is built around the falls and the canyon rim. The pickup is at 6 a.m. and the group is smaller. Included are a morning snack, lunch with vegetarian, vegan and carnivorous options, a professional guide, and hotel pickup and drop-off. Excluded: gratuities. Fitness expectations match, moderate, with the same cautions plus heart problems and other serious medical conditions listed. Not wheelchair accessible.
Old Faithful Day
- Length
- 10 to 12 hours
- Pickup
- Between 6 and 7:30 a.m., Jackson area hotels
- Group cap
- 14 travellers
- Named stops
- Four, from Old Faithful to Moose Falls
- Rating
- 4.8 from 338 reviews
The honest caveat on reviews: 13 is a thin sample. A single bad morning or a string of great ones moves a number that size. The Grand Canyon tour guide goes deeper on the itinerary, and the half-day versus full-day comparison helps if 12 hours sounds long.
Snowcoach Or Snowmobile: Which Suits You?
The choice is mechanical, in the engineering sense. A snowcoach is a heated cabin vehicle carrying up to 10, with breakfast and lunch included, pushchair access and space for infants on laps. A snowmobile puts you on the machine, driving it yourself, license in pocket, in 0 to 20 F air. Same four stops either way on the Scenic Safaris days, a 4.8 rating on both, and a similar 10 to 12 hour span. The from-prices sit $25 apart, $475 for the sled and $450 for the coach.
You drive, open to the air
A driver runs a heated cabinYou can drive yourself on the Old Faithful snowmobile day (from $475, open air, 14 travellers max) or ride the snowcoach (from $450, heated cabin, driver operated, 10 travellers max).
The Case For The Snowcoach
The snowcoach tour from Jackson Hole lists maximum 10 travellers in a heated snowcoach, with hotel pickup and drop-off, professional guide, breakfast, lunch and bottled water included. The listing states plainly that most travellers can participate, pushchairs are accessible, service animals are allowed and infants sit on laps. Park entrance fees and gratuities are excluded. It meets at 1255 US-89, Jackson, WY at 6:00 a.m., a detail our meeting point explainer puts in context. Dietary needs go to the operator at booking. Poor weather cancellation earns you a different date or a full refund.
The Case For The Sled
The snowmobile day trades the cabin for a helmet and hand controls. You drive, so you need a valid driver's license, moderate physical fitness, and a back and core that tolerate hours of riding posture. The listing flags pregnancy and back problems as reasons to stay off. Cold exposure is real: 0 to 20 F daytime, colder at elevation, and the NPS notes cold drains phone batteries while cell coverage is unreliable or absent across much of the winter park. Dress for it regardless of vehicle, but the sled demands more of your clothing choices. See what to wear snowmobiling in Yellowstone.
One wrinkle: the 4-day BrushBuck package, built around Grand Teton, uses a snowcoach for its Yellowstone day along the eastern side of the Lower Loop, with Madison River, Fountain Paint Pot and time at Old Faithful. Our guided versus self-guided guide covers the third option, the NCGSAP lottery, if you want to guide yourself.
Side By Side
| Compare | Snowmobile | Snowcoach |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $475 | From $450 |
| Rating | 4.8 from 338 reviews | 4.8 from 228 reviews |
| Who drives | You drive the sled | A driver operates the coach |
| Cabin | Open to the air | Heated cabin |
| Group cap | 14 travellers | 10 travellers |
| Meals | Snacks and lunch | Breakfast and lunch |
| Access | Not wheelchair accessible, fitness cautions | Pushchair accessible, infants on laps |
Snowmobile Tours Near Yellowstone: Bridger-Teton And Turpin Meadow
These five rides never cross into Yellowstone. They run in Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton country, around Moran, Buffalo Valley and Turpin Meadow. They are listed as Bridger-Teton and Grand Teton rides, not Yellowstone ones.
If your goal is Old Faithful by snowmobile, jump to the Scenic Safaris tours instead. If you want long powder meadows and Teton views at a lower price, this is the right cluster.
Ranch Snowmobiling, Breakfast And Lunch
4 hours (approx.) · Heart 6 Ranch LLC
from $360 per person
Check Price & Availability →
3-Hour Bridger-Teton Ride, No Meal
3 hours · Heart 6 Ranch LLC
from $350 per person
Check Price & Availability →
Grand Teton Full Day, Lunch
5 hours · Heart 6 Ranch LLC
from $550 per person
Check Price & Availability →
Turpin Meadow Ride, Morning Meal
5.5 to 9 hours · Off Grid JH Experiences
from $300 per person
Check Price & Availability →
Three operators work this corridor. Heart 6 Ranch runs three of the five rides from Buffalo Valley, near Moran. Off Grid JH Experiences and Turpin Meadow Ranch each run one around Turpin Meadow. All five stay outside Yellowstone.
Heart Six 4-Hour Guided Snowmobiling
From $360 per person, rated 4.8 from 50 reviews. The ride runs about 4 hours, meeting and ending at the Buffalo Valley Cafe, 16985 Buffalo Valley Rd, Moran. Snowmobile equipment is included. Breakfast and lunch are not, but the cafe serves meals, so plan to eat there before or after. Pickup can be arranged for an extra fee by calling the ranch. Minimum age is 14, group size caps at 20, and the ride is not recommended for anyone with back problems, pregnancy or heart problems. Alcoholic drinks are excluded.
Heart Six 3-Hour Bridger-Teton Tour
From $350, rated 4.7 from 87 reviews. This one starts at the ranch itself and runs 3 hours, with a guide, snowmobile and gear included, plus a hot chocolate or coffee at the ranch afterwards. Two things to budget for: hotel pickup and drop-off are excluded, and snowmobile insurance is mandatory. You must buy it before the ride unless you can show proof of existing snowmobile insurance. Bring a driver's license. Tips are excluded. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. The listing points to elk, moose, eagles and mountain lions, with views of the Grand Teton range and the Continental Divide area.
Heart Six Grand Teton Full-Day Private Ride
From $550, rated 4.5 from 12 reviews. The listing gives the duration as 5 hours. It starts at 16900 Buffalo Valley Rd in Moran and routes up to the Continental Divide in Bridger-Teton, with a safety demonstration first and hot chocolate by the fire back at the ranch. Included: guide, snow pants, jacket, gloves, snowmobile, helmet. Excluded: lunch, tips, alcoholic drinks (alcohol and drugs are not allowed), and hotel transfers, though optional pickup from Jackson, Wilson or Teton Village is available for an extra fee. One caution: the listing presents this as a private ride designed for 3 people, so confirm on the booking page exactly what the $550 covers before you commit. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Off Grid JH Turpin Meadow Tour
From $300, rated 4.9 from 26 reviews. Duration varies from 5.5 to 9 hours depending on the option. The guide tailors the ride to the group's skill, staying on trail for first-timers and heading off trail into deep powder for experienced riders. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Jackson Hole is included, as are a snowmobile suit, boots and helmet. The morning tour option includes lunch; the afternoon option does not. Bring warm clothing, gloves and a hat. The ride runs in Bridger-Teton National Forest on the Turpin Meadow trails, with Grand Teton views on a clear day. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. If you want to book drivers and passengers separately, the listing asks you to call.
Turpin Meadow Ranch Tour
From $385, rated 5.0 from 19 reviews. No single total duration is stated, but the itinerary adds up clearly: a 1-hour van ride, a 2.5-hour snowmobile ride in Bridger-Teton, a 1-hour lunch at the ranch and a 1-hour van ride back. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Jackson Hole is included with the morning option only. Lunch, suit, boots and helmet are included; tips are not. Bring warm clothing, snow clothing and gloves. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
How To Choose Between Them
- Cheapest entry point: the Off Grid JH tour at $300, which also throws in hotel transfers and, on the morning option, lunch.
- Shortest commitment: the Heart Six 3-hour ride at $350, but remember the mandatory insurance and the lack of transfers.
- Private ride, fixed group: the Heart Six Grand Teton tour, though confirm what the price covers.
- Most structured day: Turpin Meadow Ranch, with van transport and a ranch lunch built into the itinerary.
- Longest possible day: Off Grid JH at up to 9 hours.
The trade is plain: no geysers and no Old Faithful, but lower from-prices and shorter commitments than the park days. For the choice between this corridor and the park interior, see our piece on Jackson Hole as a snowmobile base and our breakdown of half-day versus full-day rides.
Dog Sledding And Snowmobile Combo Days
One listing here splits the day between two winter machines: Heart 6 Ranch runs a full-day dog sledding and snowmobiling combo for $595, 7 hours, starting 7:30 a.m. It rated 4.4 from 16 reviews. If you would rather stay on a snowmobile the whole time, the same ranch runs the 4-hour guided ride at $360, rated 4.8 from 50 reviews.
The combo costs more and rates slightly lower, but you get a dog team and a sled in the bargain.
Here is the honest comparison between the two Heart 6 Ranch options.
Dog Sledding Plus Snowmobile Combo
- Price
- From $595
- Length
- About 7 hours
- Start
- 7:30 a.m., Buffalo Valley Cafe and Gift Shop, 16985 Buffalo Valley Rd, Moran
- Rating
- 4.4 from 16 reviews
Heart Six 4-Hour Ride
- Price
- From $360
- Length
- About 4 hours
- Start
- Buffalo Valley Cafe, 16985 Buffalo Valley Rd, Moran
- Rating
- 4.8 from 50 reviews
The Heart 6 Ranch combo (from $595, about 7 hours, 4.4 from 16 reviews) costs $235 more than the 4-hour snowmobile ride (from $360, 4.8 from 50 reviews) and runs 3 hours longer.
What The Combo Includes
Outerwear is supplied: bibs, jackets, boots, gloves and helmets, plus a vehicle for the legs between activities. Transportation to Moran can be arranged by calling the ranch for an extra charge. The group caps at 16. Full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before start.
Supplied
- Outerwear: bibs, jackets, boots, gloves and helmets
- A heated vehicle between the activities
Check First
- Transport to Moran, arranged by calling the ranch for an extra charge
- Not recommended for pregnancy or heart problems
- Not wheelchair accessible
Health cautions matter here. The listing is not recommended for pregnancy or heart problems, and it is not wheelchair accessible. Dog sledding and snowmobiling both ask more of you than sitting in a snowcoach, so read the cautions carefully if anyone in your group has a condition.
Combo Or Straight Snowmobile?
The 4-hour ride is $235 cheaper, three hours shorter, rates higher (4.8 versus 4.4), and has a much larger review pool behind that score. It covers snowmobile equipment but leaves meals to the Buffalo Valley Cafe, and its minimum age is 14.
The combo makes sense when the dog sled is the point. You are paying roughly $235 over the 4-hour ride for the sled portion and the dog-sled time, and you get a full outerwear set listed rather than just snowmobile equipment. If snowmobiling is your single priority and a sled team is a nice-to-have, take the 4-hour ride and put the difference toward another day. Our guide to what to wear snowmobiling covers the rest of your kit either way.
The 4-Day Grand Teton And Yellowstone Winter Tour
One package on this page reaches Old Faithful without being a Scenic Safaris trip: the BrushBuck Wildlife Tours 4-day Grand Teton and Yellowstone Winter Tour, from $2,089, rated 5.0 from 9 reviews. It reaches Old Faithful by snowcoach, not snowmobile. The whole trip starts and ends in Jackson, Wyoming, meeting at the Lexington at Jackson Hole Hotel and Suites, 285 N Cache St.
The route passes through West Yellowstone, Montana on day 2, but no part of the tour departs from there.
Four days, a heated vehicle for the wildlife legs, one snowcoach day inside Yellowstone, and a lot of Grand Teton country in between. Here is how the listing lays it out.
Day By Day
Day 1
Outside the parkWildlife Afternoon. An afternoon wildlife tour through Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge in a heated Suburban or similar 10-passenger vehicle. The listing names moose, wolves, coyotes, bighorn sheep, mule deer and bison as possibilities.
Day 2
Outside the parkSleigh Ride And West Yellowstone. A horse-drawn sleigh ride into the National Elk Refuge, which the listing says holds over 5,000 elk. More Grand Teton wildlife viewing follows, then the route crosses the Continental Divide to West Yellowstone, Montana, where there is time to shop.
Day 3
Inside the parkSnowcoach To Old Faithful. Yellowstone by snowcoach along the eastern side of the Lower Loop: the Madison River, Fountain Paint Pot, and time to watch Old Faithful erupt.
Day 4
Outside the parkBack To Jackson Hole. The return runs past the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake site and Island Park, Idaho, ending in Jackson Hole around 3 to 5 p.m. with drop-off at most Jackson lodgings.
The BrushBuck 4-day package covers a day 1 afternoon wildlife tour, a day 2 sleigh ride and crossing to West Yellowstone, the day 3 snowcoach trip to Old Faithful, and the day 4 return. Only day 3 is inside the park.
What Is Included And What Is Not
Included
- National Elk Refuge horse-drawn sleigh ride
- Snowcoach tour to Old Faithful
- National park entrance fee, for United States residents only
- 3 nights accommodation (2 and 3 star, per the listing)
- Breakfast on days 2, 3 and 4
- Snacks and refreshments
- Binoculars and a spotting scope
- Live English commentary
Not Included
- Transfers to and from Jackson Hole Airport
- Guide gratuity, with 10 to 15 percent recommended
- Meals and drinks not listed
The Non-US-Resident Entrance Note
The included park entrance fee covers United States residents only. Non-US residents aged 16 and over pay extra unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass; children under 16 are free. Confirm the current amount on the official park fees page before you travel, because it is an addition to a $2,089 base price.
Two Rules That Catch People Out
First, the hotel-the-night-before rule: plan a hotel in Jackson the night before the tour and the night after. The trip does not start with an airport pickup, and airport transfers are excluded anyway. Second, the refund rule: a full refund applies only if you cancel at least 45 days in advance. That is a much longer runway than the 24-hour policies on the day tours elsewhere on this page.
Pack for it. Winter boots with good tread are described as a must, and the same cold that defines a Yellowstone winter applies here. Our piece on how cold Yellowstone gets in winter and the winter packing list are worth a read. If your interest is specifically the snowcoach day, we also compare the standalone snowcoach tours from Jackson.
What Do Yellowstone Snowmobile Tours Cost?
Across the nine tours with published prices, from-prices run from $300 to $2,089. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone day trip shows no price on its listing, so check the live listing for that one. Broadly: the 3-hour forest ride sits near $350, the Yellowstone snowcoach day starts at $450 and the snowmobile day at $475, the Grand Teton full-day private ride is $550, and the 4-day package tops the range at $2,089.
What moves the number most is hours, meals, private versus shared groups, and whether you are paying for one day or four.
Latest Data, November 2026
| Tour | Where | From Price | Rating | Reviews | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turpin Meadow Ride, Morning Meal | Stays outside | $300 | 4.9 | 26 | 5.5 to 9 hours |
| 3-Hour Bridger-Teton Ride, No Meal | Stays outside | $350 | 4.7 | 87 | 3 hours |
| Ranch Snowmobiling, Breakfast And Lunch | Stays outside | $360 | 4.8 | 50 | 4 hours (approx.) |
| Turpin Meadow Ranch, Lunch | Stays outside | $385 | 5.0 | 19 | See the listing |
| Old Faithful By Snowcoach, Two Meals | Enters the park | $450 | 4.8 | 228 | 12 hours (approx.) |
| Old Faithful Loop, Lunch IncludedMost reviewed | Enters the park | $475 | 4.8 | 338 | 10 to 12 hours |
| Grand Teton Full Day, Lunch | Stays outside | $550 | 4.5 | 12 | 5 hours |
| Dog Sledding Plus Snowmobile Combo | Stays outside | $595 | 4.4 | 16 | 7 hours (approx.) |
| 4-Day Teton And Yellowstone Winter | Enters the park | $2,089 | 5.0 | 9 | 4 days |
| Grand Canyon Full Day, Lunch | Enters the park | On the listing | 4.4 | 13 | 12 hours (approx.) |
Bars show the from-price on a scale from $0 to $2,089. Each tour name opens its own page on this site.
From-price, rating, review count and length for all ten tours as shown on each live listing. Prices move with the travel date, and the Grand Canyon tour lists no price.
Four levers drive nearly every price difference on this page.
Hours
The 3-hour Bridger-Teton ride from Heart 6 Ranch starts at $350; its 4-hour sibling is $360. The gap between 3 and 4 hours is $10. The jump comes at full-day scale, where the Scenic Safaris Old Faithful snowmobile day reaches $475 for 10 to 12 hours.
Meals And Transfers
Turpin Meadow Ranch includes lunch and hotel pickup in its $385 price. The Off Grid JH Turpin Meadow tour includes hotel transfers and, on the morning option, lunch at $300, the lowest from-price on the page. The Heart 6 rides exclude lunch, so budget for a meal at the Buffalo Valley Cafe.
Private Versus Shared
The Heart 6 Grand Teton tour is a private ride designed for 3 people, from $550. That is $200 more than the 3-hour ride from the same ranch, so confirm what the price covers on the booking page.
Multi-Day
The BrushBuck 4-day package at $2,089 includes 3 nights of accommodation, most breakfasts, a sleigh ride, wildlife drives and the snowcoach day. Spread over four days that is roughly $522 a day with lodging counted.
On a plain cost-per-hour basis using the stated numbers: the Scenic Safaris Old Faithful snowmobile day is $475 for 10 to 12 hours, so roughly $40 to $48 per hour. The Heart 6 3-hour ride at $350 works out near $117 per hour. The Heart 6 4-hour ride at $360 is about $90 per hour. Turpin Meadow Ranch has no stated total duration, so no honest per-hour figure is possible there.
What Is Not In The Price
- Park entrance fees on the two Scenic Safaris Old Faithful tours (snowmobile and snowcoach). Non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra per-person amount unless they hold a qualifying pass; children under 16 are free. Check the park fees page for the figure.
- The optional snowmobile damage waiver on the Scenic Safaris Old Faithful snowmobile day.
- Mandatory snowmobile insurance on the 3-hour Heart 6 ride, which must be bought before the ride unless you show proof of your own coverage.
- Tips. Several listings name gratuity as excluded, and the 4-day package recommends 10 to 15 percent for the guide.
- Optional pickups at Heart 6 Ranch rides, arranged by phone for an extra fee.
- Alcohol: two Heart 6 listings exclude it, and the NPS prohibits drinking and driving on snowmobiles. See our note on alcohol rules on snowmobiles.
- Meals at the ranch, where the listing excludes lunch or breakfast.
For a fuller treatment of the money question, see how much a Yellowstone snowmobile tour costs.
Ratings And Review Counts
A 5.0 rating from 19 reviews is not the same signal as a 4.8 from 338. Small pools swing hard on a single bad day. The Turpin Meadow Ranch tour (5.0 from 19) and the BrushBuck 4-day package (5.0 from 9) have perfect scores but tiny samples. The Scenic Safaris Old Faithful tours carry 4.8 from 338 and 4.8 from 228, which is steadier evidence. Treat ratings from fewer than about 25 reviews as directional, and read the recent reviews on the listing before you book anything.
What Riders Wrote On The Listings
The quotes below are reproduced exactly as riders wrote them on the tour listings. We have not edited, shortened or rearranged them. Read a spread rather than any single one: a pattern across many reviews tells you more than the angriest or happiest entry ever can.
★★★★★
“Claude was a very energetic fantastic guide with lots of knowledge of the area, animals and history.”
Rikki C., operator-listing review of Old Faithful Loop, Lunch Included
★★★★★
“It was beautiful to see Yellowstone in the winter without any crowds. Bobby was a very informative and kind guide, he made the snowmobile experience very easy and enjoyable.”
Aisulu O., operator-listing review of Old Faithful Loop, Lunch Included
★★★★★
“The tour was very scenic with the ground and trees covered in snow. It was cool to see Old Faithful erupt in the Winter weather. We ended up covering around 100 miles. I would highly recommend this tour for a fun adventurous trip.”
David P., operator-listing review of Old Faithful Loop, Lunch Included
★★★★★
“Adrianna was the best guide. She shared so many great stories and insights. Knowledgeable about the geology and history of Yellowstone. We lucked out on this bluebird winter day in the park. Highly recommend this trip.”
Susan S., operator-listing review of Old Faithful By Snowcoach, Two Meals
★★★★★
“Excellent winter tour!! No crowds and lots of animals to view. Front row seat for Old Faithful. Tour guide, Megan, was excellent!!”
Lisa C., operator-listing review of Old Faithful By Snowcoach, Two Meals
★★★★★
“I would recommend taking snow pants and waterproof boots. There was the opportunity to walk to sites through the snow. A lot of fun and great way to see Yellowstone in the winter.”
Ann H., operator-listing review of Old Faithful By Snowcoach, Two Meals
★★★★★
“Beautiful scenery, knowledgeable and engaging guide (Denver). Great ride, even for a 1st timer. Would definitely do this again.”
Kell C., operator-listing review of Ranch Snowmobiling, Breakfast And Lunch
★★★★★
“Scenery not to be believed! Pictures don't do it justice. Thomas, Keith & Zane were most hospitable. Dog sleigh ride was simply amazing, truly a bucket list item.”
Heather B., operator-listing review of Dog Sledding Plus Snowmobile Combo
We do not collect, select or edit these reviews: they are quoted verbatim from the operators' own booking listings, with stars and names exactly as published there.
Park Rules: Guides, Permits And Winter Road Closures
Every snowmobile inside Yellowstone travels with a guide. That is the short version of 36 CFR 7.13: no unguided snowmobiling in the park, with the single exception of the Cave Falls Road. If you book a commercial tour, the operator carries the guiding authority and the permit. If you ride solo under the Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program, you carry it yourself.
Guide Requirement, 36 CFR 7.13
The 2013 Winter Use Rule set the framework. Each snowmobile in Yellowstone must travel with either a commercial guide on an authorized tour or a non-commercial guide operating under an NCGSAP permit. The rule also requires machines to meet the NPS "new Best Available Technology" (BAT) standard, and electric snowmobiles are not currently approved. Tours bring their own approved machines, so this is one requirement you never think about on a booked ride. More background sits on our rules and requirements page.
Commercial Tours Versus The NCGSAP Lottery
Book a tour and the paperwork ends there. The operator holds the permit, and the only document you personally need on the Scenic Safaris days is a valid driver's license if you are driving.
Book A Commercial Tour
- Permit
- The operator holds it
- You carry
- A valid driver's license if you drive
- Guide
- Commercial guide on the tour
Ride Solo Under The NCGSAP
- Lottery
- 2026-27 ran August 1 to 31, 2026 on recreation.gov; first come, first served from October 1, 2026
- Cost
- $40 per day plus a $6 non-refundable application fee
- Limits
- 3 days and 2 nights, 5 snowmobiles per permit
- People
- Permit holder or guide 18 or older; every operator 16 or older with a license
- Refunds
- None for weather or closures
Going alone is a different project. The NCGSAP lottery for the 2026-27 season ran August 1 to 31, 2026 on recreation.gov. Unclaimed or cancelled permits release first come, first served from October 1, 2026, with no waiting list. Costs run $40 per day plus a $6 non-refundable application fee. Trips cap at 3 days and 2 nights, 5 snowmobiles per permit, with up to 4 non-commercially guided groups per day, one per oversnow entrance. The permit holder or guide must be 18 or older and complete the free online Yellowstone Snowmobile Education Certification. Every operator must be at least 16 and hold a valid driver's license. And there is no refund or rescheduling for weather or closures, which matters when a storm shuts a road.
Hours, Sylvan Pass And The Practical Constraints
Oversnow travel runs 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except the East and South Entrances, which open at 8 a.m. The East Entrance Road over Sylvan Pass can close for hours or days on avalanche danger. Cell coverage is unreliable or absent across much of the park in winter, and cold drains phone batteries fast, so treat your phone as a camera, not a lifeline.
Alcohol: NPS prohibits drinking and driving on snowmobiles and bans open containers on the machines outright. Two of the forest rides also exclude alcoholic drinks on their listings. The details are in our piece on alcohol and snowmobiling in Yellowstone.
Which Tours These Rules Actually Touch
Only four of the ten trips compared on this page enter Yellowstone at all. The three Scenic Safaris day trips from Jackson, the Old Faithful snowmobile day, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone day, and the Old Faithful snowcoach, ride the park interior, and the 4-day BrushBuck package adds one snowcoach day to Old Faithful inside a Grand Teton based itinerary. Those are the trips where 7.13, BAT machines, oversnow hours and Sylvan Pass bite.
The other six, from Heart Six Ranch, Off Grid JH Experiences and Turpin Meadow Ranch, ride Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton country near Jackson Hole, Moran and Turpin Meadow. National forest riding sits under a different rulebook, and we will not summarize rules we have not verified. Follow your guide's briefing.
When Is Yellowstone Snowmobile Season?
Yellowstone's oversnow season runs mid-December to mid-March, and the 2026-27 projection puts the opening at about 8 a.m. on December 15, 2026. The closing is staggered: the first road segment shuts on March 7, 2027 and the last on March 15, 2027. Every date depends on snow.
The 2026-27 Projected Oversnow Dates
Most park roads close to regular cars in early November. Once enough snow falls, usually by mid-December, they open to oversnow travel only: guided snowmobile, snowcoach, or the NCGSAP. The NPS projects these dates for the coming winter:
2026-27 Oversnow Season, NPS Projection
Opens: December 15, 2026, about 8 a.m.Staggered closures: March 7 to March 15, 2027 (orange)
The Closing Ladder, March 7 To March 15
Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris
Closes 9 p.m. March 7
Closes 9 p.m. March 7
Norris to Madison; Norris to Canyon Village; Canyon Village to Washburn Hot Springs Overlook
Closes 9 p.m. March 9
Closes 9 p.m. March 9
Canyon Village to Fishing Bridge
Closes 9 p.m. March 14
Closes 9 p.m. March 14
West, South and East entrances and all remaining groomed roads
Closes March 15
Closes March 15
Bars are drawn on an 8-day scale from March 7 to March 15, 2027. All dates depend on snow.
The NPS projects the 2026-27 oversnow season opening about 8 a.m. on December 15, 2026, with staggered closures March 7, 9, 14 and 15, 2027. All dates depend on snow.
All of it is subject to weather and snowpack. Check the NPS road status page before you travel. The one road that never closes to regular vehicles is the stretch from the North Entrance at Gardiner to the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City. Full detail lives on our season dates guide.
What Winter Actually Feels Like
NPS puts daytime winter temperatures at 0 to 20 F, which is -18 to -7 C. Sub-zero nights are common, and high elevations run colder than the valleys at any hour. Cold of this kind drains batteries, stiffens gear and makes a heated snowcoach cabin a genuinely pleasant thing. Our post on how cold Yellowstone gets in winter has the numbers in one place.
We will not steer you toward a "best month". We have no verified data on crowds or on which month prices bottom out, so we will not invent a claim. What we can say is that the season is short, roughly 3 months of legal oversnow travel, and the staggered March closures mean late-season riders may find some segments already shut.
The Forest Rides Run Their Own Calendar
The six Bridger-Teton trips, the Heart Six Ranch rides, the Off Grid JH Experiences day at Turpin Meadow and the Turpin Meadow Ranch outing, operate under their own seasons set by the operator, not by the NPS road calendar. Confirm the available dates on the listing before you plan around them, and see our half-day versus full-day comparison when you are deciding how much of one to commit to.
Where Do Yellowstone Snowmobile Tours Start?
Nothing on this page departs from West Yellowstone, Gardiner or Cody. Every one of the ten tours starts in the Jackson, WY area or at Moran, Buffalo Valley or Turpin Meadow to the north. The map pins for those other gateway towns sit there purely to show where the park gates are.
- SScenic Safaris, the start
- 1West Entrance
- 2South Entrance
- 3East Entrance
- 4North Entrance
- 5West Yellowstone
- 6Old Faithful
- 7Artist Point
- 8Madison Junction
- 9Norris Geyser Basin
- 10Flagg Ranch
- 11Jackson
- 12Turpin Meadow
- 13Togwotee Pass
- 14Moran
- Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Pick A Departure Point
2 marked departure points. Most tours begin with hotel pickup in Jackson, WY. The Bridger-Teton rides start near Moran and Turpin Meadow. Tap a pin or an operator name to see exactly what leaves from that spot.
Pick a departure on the map or in the chips to list the tours that leave from it. All ten tours are carded above.
- Old Faithful Loop, Lunch Included
- Old Faithful By Snowcoach, Two Meals
- 3-Hour Bridger-Teton Ride, No Meal
- Ranch Snowmobiling, Breakfast And Lunch
- Turpin Meadow Ride, Morning Meal
- Turpin Meadow Ranch, Lunch
- Dog Sledding Plus Snowmobile Combo
- Grand Canyon Full Day, Lunch
- Grand Teton Full Day, Lunch
- 4-Day Teton And Yellowstone Winter
The Start Points, One By One
- Jackson hotel pickups. The three Scenic Safaris trips collect you at hotels in the Jackson area, with the Grand Canyon day picking up at 6 a.m. The Off Grid JH Experiences Turpin Meadow tour and the Turpin Meadow Ranch ride both include hotel pickup and drop-off in Jackson Hole, the ranch one on its morning option.
- 1255 US-89, Jackson, WY. The Old Faithful snowcoach meets here at 6:00 a.m. No hotel pickup on that one.
- 16985 Buffalo Valley Rd, Moran, WY. The Buffalo Valley Cafe. The 4-hour Heart Six Ranch ride meets and ends here, the dog sledding and snowmobiling combo starts here at 7:30 a.m., and the 3-hour Bridger-Teton ride starts at Heart Six Ranch on the same address.
- 16900 Buffalo Valley Rd, Moran, WY. The private Grand Teton full-day ride with Heart Six Ranch starts here, with optional pickup from Jackson, Wilson or Teton Village for an extra fee.
- Turpin Meadow. The Off Grid JH Experiences ride runs the Turpin Meadow trails in Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the Turpin Meadow Ranch trip returns there for lunch.
- Lexington at Jackson Hole Hotel and Suites, 285 N Cache St, Jackson, WY. The meeting point for the 4-day BrushBuck package, which asks you to book a Jackson hotel the night before and the night after.
We break all of this down with maps in our post on snowmobile tour meeting points.
Why The Distances Matter
The Jackson departure sets the shape of the day. The van run to the South Entrance covers roughly 60 miles north of Jackson before anyone touches a snowmobile, which is why the Scenic Safaris full days run 10 to 12 hours door to door. A Moran or Turpin Meadow start puts you on a machine much sooner, and the Heart Six Ranch 3-hour ride fits a morning with a hot chocolate at the ranch afterwards.
If you were planning to stay in West Yellowstone and ride from there, the listings compared here will not support that plan. Our piece on Jackson Hole versus West Yellowstone covers the trade-offs between the two bases. For the wider picture of touring out of the southern gateway, see the Jackson Hole tours guide.
Where To Stay Before The Ride
The Jackson SouthTown
Jackson, WY, 600 S US-89, on the S Hwy 89 corridor about a 3-minute drive from Scenic Safaris' 1255 S Hwy 89 meeting point
A budget motel directly on S Highway 89 south of downtown Jackson, a short drive from the in-park tour meeting point, with an early-pickup morning easy to make.
Check ratesSuper 8 by Wyndham Jackson Hole
Jackson, WY, 750 S US-89, on the S Hwy 89 corridor a few minutes from Scenic Safaris' 1255 S Hwy 89 meeting point
Free breakfast and a 24-hour front desk on the same south Jackson highway corridor as the tour meeting point, useful for an early departure.
Check ratesCowboy Village Resort
Jackson, WY, 120 S Flat Creek Dr, a short drive from Scenic Safaris' 1255 S Hwy 89 meeting point and about six blocks from Jackson Town Square
Log-cabin-style rooms with a hot tub and free ski shuttle, close enough to both the meeting point and downtown Jackson to work as a base for the tour and the rest of the trip.
Check ratesWhat To Wear And What Gear Is Included
The listings supply much of the machine-side kit: helmets on several rides, and suits, boots and gloves on the forest rides. What you supply is everything underneath. NPS winter guidance is blunt about it: a windproof outer layer over wool or synthetic insulation, and no cotton anywhere.
What The Listings Supply
Each trip names its included gear, and it differs more than you might expect. The Scenic Safaris Old Faithful snowmobile day lists use of a helmet. The Turpin Meadow trips from Off Grid JH Experiences and Turpin Meadow Ranch both supply suit, boots and helmet. Heart Six Ranch's private Grand Teton ride adds snow pants, jacket and gloves to the helmet, its dog sledding combo supplies bibs, jackets, boots, gloves and helmets, and its shorter rides list snowmobile equipment and gear. For the Scenic Safaris trips, confirm the exact outer clothing on the live listing before you pack around it.
The Layering System
Three layers, each doing one job. A moisture-wicking base layer against skin. Insulating mid-layers in wool or synthetic fleece, stacked as needed. A windproof outer shell to stop the windchill you generate at speed. The snowcoach is heated, but dress in layers anyway, because stops at Old Faithful, West Thumb or Fountain Paint Pot happen outside.
Hands, Face, Feet, Eyes
NPS daytime readings of 0 to 20 F feel colder on a moving machine. Heavy wool socks under insulated boots. Glove liners inside mittens or gloves, plus chemical hand warmers. A balaclava or neck gaiter for the face. Goggles or sunglasses, because snow glare off a white road is real, and sunscreen for the same reason. The full kit list with reasoning sits in our packing list post.
The Small Backpack And What Not To Wear
A small backpack carries the layers you shed, water, snacks and spare hand warmers. Phone batteries drain fast in the cold, so keep the phone in an inside pocket, not the outer one.
What not to wear: cotton, in any layer. Cotton holds sweat and moisture, and moisture is what actually does the damage once the temperature drops. Jeans, cotton t-shirts, cotton socks, all of it stays home. Our what to wear guide covers outfitting in more depth.
Yellowstone Snowmobile Tours FAQ
Do I need a guide to snowmobile in Yellowstone?
Yes. Under 36 CFR 7.13, every snowmobile in the park must travel with a guide, either a commercial guide on an authorized tour or a non-commercial guide holding an NCGSAP permit. Unguided snowmobiling is prohibited, with the single exception of the Cave Falls Road. On a booked tour the operator holds the permit and guiding authority, so nothing extra falls on you beyond a valid driver's license if you are driving.
How much do Yellowstone snowmobile tours cost?
On this page, from-prices per person run from $300 for the Turpin Meadow tour up to $2,089 for the 4-day BrushBuck package. The Scenic Safaris Old Faithful snowmobile day starts at $475, the snowcoach at $450, and the Grand Canyon day shows no price, so check the live listing. Prices move with date. Park entrance fees are excluded on the Old Faithful trips.
Which tours actually go into Yellowstone?
Four of the ten. The three Scenic Safaris day trips from Jackson, the Old Faithful snowmobile day, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone day, and the Old Faithful snowcoach, ride the park interior. The 4-day BrushBuck package adds one snowcoach day to Old Faithful. The other six ride Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton country near Jackson Hole, Moran and Turpin Meadow.
Can I snowmobile to Old Faithful without a tour?
Not on your own plan. Unguided snowmobiling in Yellowstone is prohibited under 36 CFR 7.13. Your only non-commercial route is the NCGSAP lottery: a permit through recreation.gov, $40 per day plus a $6 application fee, with the permit holder completing the free online Yellowstone Snowmobile Education Certification and every operator 16 or older with a valid driver's license.
When does the oversnow season open and close?
The NPS standing window is mid-December to mid-March. For 2026-27 the projected opening is about 8 a.m. on December 15, 2026, with staggered closures from March 7 to March 15, 2027. The West, South and East entrances and all remaining groomed roads close March 15, 2027. Every date depends on snowpack, so check the NPS road status page before travelling.
Do the tours leave from West Yellowstone?
No. None of the ten tours compared here departs from West Yellowstone, Gardiner or Cody. Every trip starts in the Jackson, WY area or at Moran, Buffalo Valley or Turpin Meadow. The map pins for West Yellowstone and the other gateway towns are on the page only as orientation, to show where the park gates sit relative to the actual departure points.
Do I need a driver's license?
Yes if you drive. On the Scenic Safaris Old Faithful snowmobile day, all drivers must hold a valid driver's license, and the Heart Six Ranch 3-hour ride asks you to bring one. Under the NCGSAP, every operator must be at least 16 with a valid license. As a passenger you do not need one. Our driver license and age rules page has more detail.
Can kids ride?
The fact pattern varies by trip. The Heart Six Ranch 4-hour ride sets a minimum age of 14. Infants sit on laps on some listings, which tells you young children are not excluded outright everywhere. Ages are not stated on every listing we compare, so confirm the minimum age for your specific trip on the booking page before you plan a family day around it.
Is lunch included?
Often yes. The Scenic Safaris Old Faithful snowmobile day includes lunch, snacks and bottled water, the Grand Canyon day includes a morning snack and lunch with vegetarian and vegan options, and the snowcoach includes breakfast and lunch. The Turpin Meadow trips include lunch, one on the morning option only. The Heart Six Ranch rides exclude meals, though the Buffalo Valley Cafe serves them. Say dietary needs at booking.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The Scenic Safaris trips operate in all weather conditions, and if they cancel you for poor weather you are offered a different date or a full refund. Several forest rides offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Note the contrast: NCGSAP permits carry no refund or rescheduling for weather or closures, so the booked tour is the safer arrangement in a volatile winter.
How cold does it get?
NPS gives daytime winter temperatures of 0 to 20 F, which is -18 to -7 C, with sub-zero common at night and at high elevation. Windchill on a moving machine pushes felt temperatures lower. Layer with wool or synthetic insulation under a windproof shell, keep the phone in an inside pocket because cold drains batteries, and skip cotton entirely.
Is the park entrance fee included?
Usually not. The Scenic Safaris Old Faithful snowmobile and snowcoach trips exclude park entrance fees, and NPS lists an extra $100 per person for non-US residents aged 16 and over unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Children under 16 are free. The 4-day BrushBuck package includes the national park entrance fee for United States residents only.
Can I ride with a passenger?
That is up to each operator, and the listings do not spell out a universal policy. The Turpin Meadow tour from Off Grid JH Experiences asks you to call and book if you want drivers and passengers booked separately. We do not claim details beyond that, so confirm on the listing before you book.
Snowmobile or snowcoach, which should I book?
The snowcoach from Jackson reaches the same four stops, Old Faithful, West Thumb, Moose Falls and Fountain Paint Pot, in a heated cabin with a maximum of 10 travellers and breakfast included. The snowmobile day puts you on the machine, exposed to the cold but driving it. Same operator, same stops, same roughly 12-hour day. Our snowcoach tours guide compares them in full.
Snowmobile Tour Questions, Answered
Guide
Tour Costs
Real prices for in-park and near-park snowmobile tours, plus the extras that add up.
Guide
Old Faithful Tour
The full-day guided snowmobile ride from Jackson Hole to Old Faithful, hour by hour.
Guide
Snowcoach Tours
The heated alternative to a snowmobile tour, straight into Yellowstone's winter interior.
Guide
Season Dates
The mid-December to mid-March window, projected 2026-27 dates, and staggered March closures explained.
Guide
What To Wear
Layering, boots, and helmets for a Yellowstone winter ride, plus what the operator already provides.
Guide
Snowmobile Rules
Guide requirements, BAT sled rules, licensing and season rules for riding inside Yellowstone.