Yellowstone Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program

Overview:

Yellowstone National Park’s winter landscape offers a magical experience for those willing to brave its cold temperatures. Most roads in the park are groomed for over-snow traffic via either snowcoaches or snowmobiles. The majority of visitors to the park travel these roads with commercially guided tours. However, the park has set aside four trips per day for groups that want to enter Yellowstone without commercial guides. This program, called the Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program (N-CGSAP), allows one group of up to five snowmobiles through each of the North, South, East and West entrances per day. Trips can be 1, 2 or 3 days in length. The leader, or guide, of each group is determined by lottery here on Recreation.gov. Groups may apply for permits for up to 3 days/2 nights and can leave and re-enter the park through any gate during that time. Group leaders must be 18 years old by the first day of their trip and all snowmobile operators must carry a valid driver’s licenses. Costs include a $6.00 application fee and a $40 per day reservation fee upon trip confirmation.
Additional entrance fees will be collected at the time of your arrival.

The lottery opens annually for applications in September. Open dates/entrances (due to cancellations or spaces that were not filled through the lottery) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on Recreation.gov following the lottery and throughout the remainder of the season.

All snowmobiles must meet current New-Best Available Technology (New-BAT) standards. You most likely will need to rent these special New-BAT snowmobiles from vendors in nearby communities. Additionally, all snowmobile operators, including the trip leader, must complete the online free Yellowstone Snowmobile Education Certification course. If you are successful in securing a reservation, you will receive the link to the course when it is available.

Park staff encourages N-CGSAP participants to secure lodging and snowmobile rentals as early as possible in your trip planning process.

Many visitors treasure opportunities to witness the park’s wildlife, thermal features, and snow-covered scenery without summer crowds. However, winter also offers unique challenges. Snow conditions can vary, leading to difficult riding conditions. Avalanche danger on Sylvan Pass, west of the East Entrance, can close the park road for hours or even days. Additionally, recent mild winters have resulted in roads opening late or closing early in the season due to insufficient snow levels on the park’s roads. There will be no refunds or rescheduling due to road closures. There are sometimes long distances between popular destinations and entrance stations, possibly leading to long days and fatigue. Sparse cell phone coverage may mean that help in times of emergency is a long time coming. Severely cold temperatures and sudden snowstorms can affect unprepared riders. Lodging and dining opportunities are rare. Before you commit to a trip through the Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program, we advise that you prepare an itinerary and give it to a responsible loved-one, use the lessons from the Yellowstone Snowmobile Education Certification course to assemble a well-stocked first aid and survival kit, and plan ahead to procure New-BAT snowmobiles and area lodging. Learn more about visiting Yellowstone during the winter.

Cancellation policy: Cancel more than 14 days before the beginning of your trip for a full reservation refund.

See logistics and regulations for additional important information.