Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Yellowstone National Park
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Winter wildlife viewing at its absolute peak - wolves, bison, elk, and bighorn sheep concentrate in thermal areas and valleys, making February statistically the best month for wolf sightings in Lamar Valley (guides report 70-80% success rates versus 30-40% in summer)
- Thermal features are dramatically more visible in winter - geysers and hot springs create massive steam plumes in the -10°C to -20°C air that you can see from kilometers away, and you'll photograph Old Faithful with zero crowds versus 2,000+ people in July
- Snowcoach and snowmobile access opens up the interior - the road from Mammoth to Cooke City is the only one plowed, so 95% of visitors never see the Hayden Valley bison herds or Grand Prismatic Spring's winter steam show without booking these tours
- Accommodation prices drop 40-60% compared to summer peak - Old Faithful Snow Lodge rooms that cost USD 450 in July run USD 180-220 in February, and you can actually get reservations with 2-3 weeks notice instead of the 12-month advance booking summer requires
Considerations
- Extreme cold is genuinely challenging - morning temperatures of -15°C to -20°C (5°F to -4°F) are standard, and you'll need serious winter gear that most first-time visitors underestimate. Frostbite can occur in under 10 minutes on exposed skin when wind chill drops below -23°C (-10°F)
- Only two of five park entrances stay open - the North Entrance at Gardiner and Northeast Entrance at Cooke City are the only road access points, meaning you cannot drive your own vehicle to Old Faithful, Canyon, or most of the park's interior without booking a snowcoach tour (typically USD 120-180 per person)
- Limited facilities and services - only Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Old Faithful Snow Lodge are open for lodging, most visitor centers operate on reduced hours or close entirely, and you'll find maybe three restaurants open in the entire park versus 15+ in summer
Best Activities in February
Lamar Valley Winter Wolf Watching
February is legitimately the single best month for wolf viewing in North America. The Lamar Valley wolf packs are most active and visible during winter when they're hunting elk in the valley bottoms, and the snow makes tracking easier. You'll be out at dawn (around 7:15am in February) when temperatures hit -15°C to -20°C (5°F to -4°F), but the trade-off is worth it - wildlife guides report 70-80% wolf sighting success rates this month. Bring a spotting scope or rent one in Gardiner, because you'll be viewing from 800 m to 1.6 km (0.5 to 1 mile) away. The lack of summer crowds means you can actually set up your tripod without fighting for space.
Snowcoach Tours to Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring
This is the only way to access Yellowstone's interior thermal features in winter unless you're an experienced backcountry skier. Snowcoaches are heated track vehicles that travel the snow-covered roads from Mammoth or West Yellowstone to Old Faithful, stopping at thermal basins along the way. February offers the most dramatic thermal viewing because the -10°C to -15°C (14°F to 5°F) air creates massive steam columns you can see from 3-5 km (2-3 miles) away. Grand Prismatic Spring produces a steam cloud visible from the parking area that completely obscures the colors in this cold, but the surrounding thermal features like Excelsior Geyser are spectacular. You'll have Old Faithful to yourself - maybe 40-60 people versus 2,000+ in July.
Cross-Country Skiing or Snowshoeing Thermal Areas
The trails around Mammoth Hot Springs, Upper Geyser Basin (if you're staying at Snow Lodge), and along the Firehole River become winter wonderlands in February. You'll ski or snowshoe past steaming geysers with bison lying in the thermal runoff areas to stay warm - it's surreal to glide within 25 m (80 ft) of a 900 kg (2,000 lb) bison with Old Faithful erupting in the background. The snow is typically 60-90 cm (24-36 inches) deep with a firm crust by February, making for good skiing conditions. Temperatures are cold but manageable during midday (around -6°C to -2°C or 21°F to 28°F).
Bison and Elk Photography in Hayden Valley
Hayden Valley becomes inaccessible by car in winter, but snowcoach tours stop here specifically for wildlife photography. Hundreds of bison winter in the valley, and you'll photograph them against snow-covered hills with the Yellowstone River steaming in the background (the river doesn't freeze due to thermal inputs). February light is excellent for photography - the sun stays lower on the horizon, creating longer golden hours around 7:30-8:30am and 4:30-5:30pm. The challenge is the cold: you'll be outside at -12°C to -18°C (10°F to 0°F) changing lenses and adjusting settings.
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces Winter Walk
This is the most accessible winter activity in Yellowstone because Mammoth is reachable by car year-round and the terraces have maintained boardwalks that get cleared of snow. The thermal terraces are actually more dramatic in February - the hot water flowing over the white travertine creates intense steam in the -10°C to -15°C (14°F to 5°F) air, and you'll often see ice formations where the cooler edges freeze. The Upper Terraces Loop is about 2.4 km (1.5 miles) and takes 45-60 minutes at a leisurely pace. Elk graze around the terraces and throughout Mammoth village - you'll see dozens.
Northern Range Wildlife Driving Loop
The Mammoth to Cooke City road (the only one plowed through the park in winter) offers the best wildlife driving in North America during February. You'll cover about 80 km (50 miles) from Mammoth through Lamar Valley to Cooke City, with frequent stops for bison herds, bighorn sheep on cliffs near Calcite Springs, and potential wolf or coyote sightings. The road climbs to 2,400 m (7,900 ft) at Dunraven Pass area, and weather can change rapidly - you might drive through whiteout snow squalls even on days that start clear. Budget 4-6 hours minimum for this drive if you're stopping for wildlife.
February Events & Festivals
Presidents' Day Weekend Rush
The third Monday in February (February 16 in 2026) creates a three-day weekend that brings the month's highest visitor numbers - still only 10-15% of summer crowds, but noticeably busier than other February weekends. Snowcoach tours and Snow Lodge rooms book out 6-8 weeks in advance for this weekend specifically. If you're flexible on dates, visit the week before or after for better availability and 15-20% lower accommodation prices.