Greater Yellowstone

The national forests surrounding Yellowstone allow you to rev your engines and celebrate winter. Pine trees look as though they've been dusted with powdered sugar. Gorgeous mountain landscapes sparkle in the sunlight. Although there's a nip in the air, you won't find a warmer welcome anywhere.

Communities such as Ashton, ID, Cody, WY, and West Yellowstone, MT to name a few, serve as gateways to over 1,100 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. Plus, there’s an additional 7,000 miles of groomed trails beyond the Greater Yellowstone Area.

Trails start at 6,000 feet and rise to over 11,000 feet, ensuring you’ll have plenty of powder all season long. (In some areas as much as 10 feet of snow may be available through April!) Along the way, explore waterfalls, watch the wildlife, enjoy scenic vistas and make your own play day (or days) - full of fun and exhilaration.

Some trails in the Greater Yellowstone sledding area are begging to be discovered. The Two Top Trail, which was the first National Recreational Snowmobile Trail in the US, travels through the Gallatin and Caribou-Targhee national forests for outstanding views and great riding. The Continental Divide Trail crosses the divide four times in its journey through the Shoshone, Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee national forests. Finally, the Big Sky Trail, geared towards advanced riders, traverses the Gallatin National Forest offering deep snow for the serious snowmobiler.

Here’s additional information on the trails in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming surrounding the park.

Idaho trails http://www.visitidaho.org/winter/snowmobile/

Montana trails http://wintermt.com/things_to_do/outdoor_activities/snowmobiling/

Wyoming trails http://wyotrails.state.wy.us/Snow/RegionMap.asp

To make your ride more enjoyable, here are some things to consider when riding in the national forests:

• All snowmobiles used for recreation on public lands must be registered and display a current decal-including all out-of-state machines.
• Motorized vehicles – including your snowmobile – are not allowed in a federally designated wilderness area. Make sure you know your location at all times.
• Know the local laws and regulations where you are riding, whether it’s (briefly) on a road, in the forest or on the trail.

Remember, the national forests are open to many forms of winter recreation, so be aware, be respectful, and above all, be safe!