The United States’ oldest national park, Yellowstone National Park, has seen an increase in visitors over the past few years. In fact, visitation was up 28 percent in 2021 from 2020. This could be in large part due to the travel shutdown during the pandemic and the domestic travel surge that followed. When they couldn’t get on an international flight, people turned their attention to the great outdoors and prioritized visiting national parks and wide-open spaces around the country.
Also, the stunning scenery in Paramount Network’s hit series “Yellowstone” surely provided inspiration for travel plans when the show took off in recent years. With 2.2 million acres of open space, visitors have endless options for exploring at Yellowstone. From observing wildlife to taking in breathtaking landscapes, this park is an outdoor lover’s dream.
The park kicked off its winter season last month, and there are plenty of activities to choose from during the frostier months. Yellowstone Vacations provides both snowcoach and snowmobile tours in the winter, and taking a guided tour helps guests get the most out of their visit.
Photo courtesy of Yellowstone Vacations
According to Shelby Budler, the director of marketing for Delaware North, the hospitality company that oversees the operations at Yellowstone Vacations, booking early is key. “The earlier you book, the better with any winter tour,” said Budler. “We sell out near the holidays and early January. Late January and February are some of the best times to book for when the snow is great.”
Travelers shouldn’t let the cooler winter temps deter them from visiting, but there are a few important things to keep in mind. Service hours are limited during the winter, so guests should fuel up prior to arrival and pack extra food and water. Dressing appropriately for the weather conditions is also vital. Most park roads are closed to automobiles, so taking a guided tour is an excellent option.
During the wintertime, Old Faithful snowmobile tours are some of the most popular. “Any excursion that takes a guest to Old Faithful tends to be more favored, as well as Snowmobile Tours over Snowcoach Tours in the winter, even with colder temps,” said Budler.
Photo courtesy of Yellowstone Vacations
Travelers looking to save some money in 2023 can plan to visit Yellowstone, or another national park, for free on select days throughout the year: January 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), April 22 (first day of National Park Week), August 4 (Great American Outdoors Day), September 23 (National Public Lands Day) and November 11 (Veterans Day).
To learn more about booking an adventure with Yellowstone vacations, visit www.yellowstonevacations.com/guided-tours.
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