Tips for Visiting Yellowstone National Park in February

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Yellowstone in February: services available, roads open, things to do, what to pack, and where to stay.

Use this Yellowstone National Park travel guide to determine if February is the best time for you to visit this must-see park!

Visiting Yellowstone National Park in February

In February you’ll find the Yellowstone landscape covered with snow. The steam from the hot pools and geysers is more pronounced in the cold air. And the wildlife stands out against the white snow.

BUT there are definite drawbacks for a trip in the winter. We’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Yellowstone in February.

Check out these Yellowstone National Park winter pictures to inspire you to plan a trip during this time of year!

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Yellowstone Winter Packing List

READ all about packing for a winter vacation in Yellowstone!

Visiting Yellowstone in February

A trip to Yellowstone in February is unlike anything you’ve ever done before! Yellowstone is a bucket list destination for a reason, and in the winter it’s even more so with steaming geysers amid a snowy landscape.

With limited ways to enter the park, you can enjoy the quiet and serenity during a Yellowstone winter vacation.

Yellowstone Roads in February

In February all roads except from the north entrance in Gardiner to the northeast entrance in Cooke City are closed. Be sure to read the fall and winter Yellowstone road closure dates for the most updated year-to-year information.

You can access the park from West Yellowstone and the south entrance near Grand Teton by snow coach tourssnowshoeing, cross country skiing or snowmobile tours.

Yellowstone Services in February

Mammoth Hot Springs to the Northeast Entrance is the only part of the park open to wheeled vehicles in the winter. The road is open up to Cooke City, Montana, after which the road is closed (no through-traffic to Red Lodge, Montana or Cody, Wyoming). Services are very limited between Mammoth Hot Springs and Cooke City, Montana.

Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower-Roosevelt areas:

  • Albright Visitor Center
  • General Store
  • Mammoth Campground
  • Mammoth Clinic
  • Post Office
  • Mammoth and Tower-Roosevelt Service Stations – credit card fueling only 24-hours

Old Faithful area:

Canyon Area:

  • Canyon Yurt Camp
  • Canyon and Fishing Bridge Service Stations – credit card fueling only 24-hours

Warming Huts available in the winter:

  • Canyon Visitor Education Center Lobby
  • Fishing Bridge
  • Indian Creek
  • Madison
  • Mammoth Hot Springs
  • Old Faithful Yurts
  • West Thumb

Always check the Yellowstone operating hours and seasons for the most updated information.

Yellowstone Weather in February

The Yellowstone National Park weather in February is cold and snowy. Average temperatures range from highs close to 30 and lows close to 0.

Layers are key when exploring the park in the winter. Reference our winter clothing guide so you can enjoy the outdoors, even when it’s cold!

You’ll want base layers like thermals, mid layers like fleece, and insulated outer layers:

Best Time to Visit Yellowstone

If winter seems too snowy and cold for you, check out our guide for finding the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park. Each season and month of the year will have different activities and services available.

plan your dream vacation to yellowstone

Things to Do at Yellowstone National Park in February

Winter in Yellowstone means fewer crowds, VERY COLD temperatures, and stunning winter landscape scenes with steaming geyser basins. But you’ll find quite a few things to do at Yellowstone National Park in February.

We highly recommend booking a Yellowstone National Park Winter Tour!

Drive the North Entrance Road in February

In February, if you’re close to the north entrance, you can drive your vehicle on the one open road from Gardiner to Cooke City. This route is a nice day trip.

As you drive through Lamar Valley, look for bison and elk… and if you’re lucky, you’ll see wolves, fox or moose!

The Albright Visitor Center in Mammoth remains open year-round and is a great resource for information about the park. There’s also a museum in the lower level of the Visitor Center, and rangers are available to answer any questions about closures that you may have.

Yellowstone Hiking in February

Be aware there will be a lot of snow in February so you’ll need more than your hiking boots. Showshoeing and cross country skiing are the best ways to experience the trails at Yellowstone in the winter.

You can check the Backcountry Situation Report for all pertinent information about the backcountry.

Yellowstone Waterfalls in February

We love to visit and take pictures of all the Yellowstone waterfalls. In February, there are 3 waterfalls you can access along on the northern road:

  • Undine Falls
  • Wraith Falls – short hike
  • Lost Falls – short hike

There are a few waterfalls you can see on snowcoach tours:

  • Firehole Falls
  • Gibbon Falls
  • Lower Falls

Yellowstone Geysers and Hot Pools in February

The geysers and hot pools are fantastic to see and photograph in February. It’s fun to see the steam rising from the hot pools and geysers and the snowy blanket of white surrounding these hot spots. Also be sure to look for the hoarfrost on the trees.

The Yellowstone snowcoach guides are so knowledgeable to explain all about what you see when you visit Yellowstone in the winter!

Yellowstone Wildlife in February

Check out our resource for the best time to visit Yellowstone for wildlife and what animals you’ll see during every month of the year!

If you’ll be driving along the northern road from Gardiner to Cooke City, remember the parameters to keep you and the animals safe!

  • Never approach animals. The animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be.
  • The safest (and often best) view of wildlife is from inside a car. Always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk.
  • Never feed wildlife. Animals that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and have to be killed. Keep all food, garbage, or other smelly items packed away when not in use.
  • Never park in the road or block traffic. Use pullouts to watch wildlife and let other cars pass. Stay with your vehicle if you encounter a wildlife jam.

Photography in February at Yellowstone

Our number one photo tip is: be prepared for anything so you can capture the moment when it happens.

In February the weather can change from day to day. There may be sun, snow, clouds, fog, and frost that will create mood. Also look for reflections when taking pictures of Yellowstone.

And we always have our camera ready to go because the wildlife you may see won’t wait for you to find the camera in your car.

Where to Stay Near Yellowstone

Hotels and Vacation Rentals in West Yellowstone:

Hotels and Vacation Rentals in Gardiner:

Hotels and Vacation Rentals in Cooke City or Silver Gate:

Yellowstone maps and guides

Yellowstone Tours and Day Trips

plan your dream vacation to yellowstone

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