Yellowstone Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program
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.
Groups may apply for permits for up to three days/two 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 application fee and a $40 per day recreation fee upon trip confirmation.
Entrance fees will be collected at the time of your arrival or purchase in advance. The park honors valid America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes (also known as an interagency passes, e.g., Senior, 4th Grade, Military, etc.).
The lottery opens annually for applications in August. 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 beginning October 1 and throughout the remainder of the season.
Permits may be available throughout the winter open season due to non-assignment or cancellation. Check back often.
Permit holders are responsible for renting or bringing their own approved Best Available Technology (BAT) snowmobiles. We recommend reviewing approved models or checking for availability with Authorized Snowmobile Rentals before finalizing your permit. Currently, there are no rental companies located at the South and North Entrances and renters will likely need to transport snowmobiles from a rental company to those entrances.
Permit & Season Information
This permit allows people to snowmobile in Yellowstone without the presence of a commercial guide. Up to four non-commercially guided groups are allowed to enter the park daily, one at each oversnow entrance.
The winter snowmobile season runs from December 15 through March 15.
Entrance open dates: 2024-2025 season
North: December 15 - March 2
East: December 15 – March 15
South: December 15 – March 15
West: December 15 – March 15
The following road segments close to oversnow travel prior to March 15:
Mammoth to Norris closes 9 PM on March 2.
Norris to Madison and Norris to Canyon closes 9 PM on March 4.
Canyon to Fishing Bridge closes 9 PM on March 9.
Need to Know
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 limited. Park staff encourages N-CGSAP participants to secure lodging and snowmobile rentals as early as possible in your trip planning process.
- Permits are available for 1, 2, or 3 days. To lead an overnight trip (maximum of three days and two nights), non-commercial guides must secure a multi-day permit in the lottery.
- Snowmobiling hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Plan to be out of the park by 9:00 p.m. on the last day of your trip. If you have a one-day trip, you must leave the park by 9:00 p.m. of that day.
- The South Entrance and East Entrance roads open at 8:00 a.m. All other roads open at 7:00 a.m.
- Only approved New-Best Available Technology (New-BAT) Snowmobiles are permitted in Yellowstone. You may bring your own new-BAT snowmobile or rent from Authorized Snowmobile Rentals in nearby communities. If renting, we recommend contacting vendors prior to completing your reservation to ensure New-BAT snowmobiles are available for your entrance.
- As of July 2024, there are no rental companies located at the South and North (Mammoth) Entrances. Renters will likely be responsible for transporting snowmobiles from rental companies to the entrance. The closest rental companies are located in Jackson, WY (South) and Bozeman, MT (North).
- 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 with your confirmation. The certificate is valid for two years. After two years, you must complete the course again.
- You must check in with a ranger at your permitted entrance to obtain your permit by 4:00 p.m. the first day of your trip. You may check in as early as the day before your trip.
- You must initially enter the park on your first day via your permitted entrance. After your initial entry you may leave and re-enter from any other oversnow entrance.
Things to bring on the morning of your trip:
- Driver's licenses for each snowmobile operator
- Yellowstone Snowmobile Education Certification completion documentation for each snowmobile operator (certificates are valid for two years)
- New Best Available Technology (BAT) snowmobiles
- A complete survival and first aid kit for all members of your party (recommended)
- Warm clothes, including a snowmobile helmet
- Be aware of the weather. Winter conditions can and do change rapidly in this high-mountain region. Refunds are not offered due to poor or severe weather conditions.
- Give a copy of your itinerary to a trusted friend or relative in case of emergency.
- Occasionally the park closes roads due to winter weather. If there is a closure in effect on the day of your trip, you can either wait for the closure to be lifted later in the day, obtain another permit if available, or cancel (no refund).
Fee Policy
- Early access lottery application fee/permit reservation fee (non-refundable): $6.
- Recreation Fee: $40 per-day, per-group.
- Entrance Fee: Yellowstone also charges an entrance fee for each snowmobile (separate from the permit fee). You may pay this fee upon arrival or purchase in advance (Note: Groups entering through the North Entrance will not enter on snowmobiles and will pay the per-vehicle entrance fee). The park honors valid America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes (also known as an interagency passes, e.g., Senior, 4th Grade, Military, etc.). The pass covers one snowmobile. Visit the park's Fees & Passes web page for details.
Cancellation Policy
Change Policy
- The permit is non-transferable. However, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for medical or special circumstances. Call the N-CGSAP manager at (307) 344-2165 if you have questions.
- Changes may be made to the group size, participant names, and number of snowmobiles at any time before the permit is issued.
- If you need to change your dates or entrance location, you will need to cancel your existing reservation and make a new one (subject to availability); all fees will apply to the new reservation.
Cancellation Policy
- If you cannot make a trip, you must cancel through your Recreation.gov user profile. Please log in to your existing Recreation.gov account, find your reservation, and follow the cancellation instructions.
- Permit fees ($40 per-day) are refundable if you cancel 14-days or more prior to the start of the trip. Permit fees are not refunded if you cancel less than 14-days before the start of the trip.
- The $6 reservation fee is not refundable.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
PO Box 168 Yellowstone National Park WY 82190
Phone Number
307-344-2165
