See the magnificent landscapes of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks transformed by the winter snows. Explore these parks with naturalist guides on wildlife tours and excursions by snowshoe and snowcoach.  

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary Request Itinerary or Ask Us A Question or Call 855-215-8690
 The Tetons in winter
The Tetons in winter
 Elk grazing in the National Elk Refuge near the Tetons
Elk grazing in the National Elk Refuge near the Tetons
 Snowshoe excursion in the mountains
Snowshoe excursion in the mountains
 The stark beauty of the Tetons in winter
The stark beauty of the Tetons in winter
 Bison in Yellowstone National Park
Bison in Yellowstone National Park
 Gray Wolf
Gray Wolf
 A coyote in the winter
A coyote in the winter
 Bull elk in Yellowstone
Bull elk in Yellowstone
 Two solitary bison in the winter
Two solitary bison in the winter
 Hot springs in winter in Yellowstone National Park
Hot springs in winter in Yellowstone National Park
 Natural hot spring in winter. Credit: Tyler Barratt
Natural hot spring in winter. Credit: Tyler Barratt
 Old Faithful Snow Lodge in the winter
Old Faithful Snow Lodge in the winter

Winter in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons: A Tailor-Made Journey

9 days from $6,800

See the magnificent landscapes of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks transformed by the winter snows. Explore these parks with naturalist guides on wildlife tours and excursions by snowshoe and snowcoach.  

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary

or call 855-215-8690

Overview

When you travel on a tailor-made journey, you will receive a Friends of the Smithsonian Archivist Circle membership*. Benefits include:

  • A Smithsonian annual engagement calendar with full-color images of exceptional art and artifacts, mailed in the fall.
  • Subscription to Smithsonian, the award-winning magazine of the arts, sciences, and history. Early access to Smithsonian magazine produced events.
  • Invitations to four exclusive virtual programs for Friends of the Smithsonian members with Smithsonian experts.
  • 10% discount in Smithsonian Museum Stores (good on purchases up to $200); 10% discount with the SmithsonianStore.com, and Folkways Recordings
  • Recognition in the Friends of the Smithsonian Honor Roll, displayed electronically on the National Mall in the Membership Reception Center
  • Special member rate for tickets to the Smithsonian’s IMAX® theaters and Einstein Planetarium.
  • Free admission to the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City.
  • A complimentary copy of the annual Smithsonian museum guidebook.
  • Invitation to a special welcome event for new members at a Smithsonian venue.

*Offer only available for first-time Smithsonian members. 

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 – Jackson, Wyoming

Upon arrival in Jackson, make your own way to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and unwind or explore the town at leisure.

Day 2 – Jackson

Rise early as your private guide will pick you up for a small-group sunrise tour in Grand Teton National Park. Spend two to three hours in the park, using a scope to watch herds of elk, lone coyote, and moose. With some luck, you may even spot wolves seeking out their prey or a bald eagle perched on a branch overlooking Grand Teton's winter wonderland. When you arrive back in Jackson, you will have the afternoon to enjoy the town and its surroundings. We recommend taking a walk down to Jackson Hole Visitor Center to see some of the possibilities for exploring the area. One of our favorites: a sleigh ride to the National Elk Refuge, the wintering grounds for some 11,000 elk as well as bighorn sheep, bison, and other species.

Day 3 – Jackson

Get immersed in the tranquility of the wilderness on a snowshoeing excursion with a small group this morning. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to a secluded location within the national forest or Grand Teton National Park. During another afternoon at leisure, consider a walk among the boutiques and galleries around Jackson Square. 

Day 4 – Yellowstone National Park

Get an early start this morning, as your driver-guide picks you up at the hotel before dawn for a shared transfer to Yellowstone National Park. Arrive just in time to enter the park at sunrise, which makes for a magical experience as you watch Yellowstone’s snowy landscapes awaken. As you drive through the lower loop en route to Old Faithful Snow Lodge, admire the magnificent winter scenery and learn about the park’s geology and wildlife. You have the rest of the day to explore the area around the lodge. Hike along cross-country ski trails or take a walk on the boardwalks of the Upper Geyser Basin to discover the area’s fascinating geothermal activity.

Day 5 – Yellowstone National Park

Today, climb into a snowcoach for a full-day small-group tour of Yellowstone National Park with an experienced guide. View snow-covered forests, the frozen waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and steaming geysers from the comfort of your heated vehicle. There will be plenty of opportunities to get out for short walks, and ample time for wildlife watching throughout the day. Along with plenty of bison and breathtaking scenery, you may spot otters, bald eagles, wolves, and coyotes. 

Day 6 – Yellowstone National Park

Enjoy the day to experience the park as you wish. Go snowshoeing or rent cross-country skis and hit the trails that start right at the lodge’s front door. Or sign up for a guided winter photo safari. 

Day 7 – Yellowstone National Park

After breakfast, meet your snowcoach at the lodge and travel north towards Mammoth Hot Springs. The journey takes approximately four hours, and includes stops along the way at well-known geysers, bubbling mud pots, and lookout points. Upon arrival at Mammoth Hot Springs, relax in the bar with a hot chocolate. 

Day 8 – Yellowstone National Park

Your private guide will pick you up before sunrise to head out into Yellowstone's most wildlife-rich area: the Lamar Valley. Spend the morning exploring this area with your naturalist guide, watching for moose, coyote, bighorn sheep, bison, and even wolves. Learn about the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone and gain insight into their fascinating social structure and behavior. You may have the chance to see them playing, feeding, and interacting in their natural habitat. A breakfast of fresh fruit, oatmeal and snack bars is provided as you enjoy the wide open scenery of the Lamar Valley. 

Day 9 – Bozeman, Montana

Today, bid farewell to Yellowstone as your private transfer takes you out of the park and through picturesque Paradise Valley on the way to the airport in Bozeman. 

Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)

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