5-Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Winter Tour from Salt Lake City

Ride a heated snow coach through Yellowstone's winter landscape and sleigh through a herd of 5,000 elk.

This 5-day small group winter tour from Salt Lake City visits Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton, and Antelope Island with a live guide, limited to 2–8 guests. You'll ride heated snow coaches to Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs, take a horse-drawn sleigh through the National Elk Refuge, soak in naturally heated geothermal springs, and snowshoe to iconic sites. Hotel pickup from Salt Lake City Airport is included, and the tour is guaranteed to depart once two guests book.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Salt Lake City and Idaho Falls

• Visit Temple Square
• Tour Utah State Capitol Building
• Explore Hill Aerospace Museum
• Walk Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
• Stop at Idaho Falls waterfall

Day 2: Grand Teton, Jackson Hole, West Yellowstone

• Explore Jackson Hole town square
• Enjoy elk herd sleigh ride
• Arrive and explore West Yellowstone

Day 3: Yellowstone: Old Faithful and Fountain Pots

• Ride snow-coach to Old Faithful
• Stop at Fountain Paint Pots
• Watch Old Faithful eruption or snowshoe
• Return to West Yellowstone for dinner and shopping

Day 4: Mammoth Hot Springs and Big Sky

• Travel to Mammoth Hot Springs
• Snowshoe to explore Mammoth Hot Springs
• Optional wildlife helicopter or dogsled tours
• Visit Big Sky area
• Return to West Yellowstone for dinner

Day 5: Lava Hot Springs, Antelope Island, Salt Lake City

• Relax at Lava Hot Springs resort
• Lunch near Lava Hot Springs
• Visit Antelope Island State Park
• Travel to Salt Lake City
• Drop off at airport or hotel

The experience

How do you see Yellowstone in winter without a car? This tour picks you up from Salt Lake City Airport and builds the five days around the snow coach: the only way to reach the park's interior when roads close to regular vehicles. You'll ride in a heated coach to Old Faithful, where you watch the geyser erupt or explore on snowshoes depending on timing, and stop at Fountain Paint Pots along the way. The sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge comes on day two, when you'll pass through a herd estimated at over 5,000 strong. A guide leads the whole group, speaking English or Chinese, and keeps the group small enough that you're not competing for views or photos.

Mammoth Hot Springs takes a full day on day four. You'll snowshoe the final stretch to the terraces (white chalky formations with colored pools and steam vents), then return to West Yellowstone for dinner. The tour ends at Lava Hot Springs Resort on day five, where you soak in naturally heated geothermal water ranging from 102 to 112 degrees before heading to Antelope Island, a saltwater lake in the Utah desert. You'll finish with a drive south to Salt Lake City, with airport drop-off around 6 p.m. or hotel drop-off if your flight leaves the next morning. Hotel stays are included for four nights. Meals on the itinerary (lunch and snacks) are included, and hand warmers come standard.

The group size caps at eight, and the tour runs once two people book: no waiting for a full bus. Snowshoeing is part of the experience, not optional, and wildlife sightings (elk, bison, wolves) depend on what's moving that day. Park entrance fees are covered for U.S. residents. Non-residents pay an additional fee in-destination starting January 2026. Optional activities like dog sledding or helicopter wildlife tours can be arranged at extra cost if you ask in advance.

What’s included

• Hotel accommodation for four nights.
• snow coach tour of Yellowstone with heated interior.
• sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge.
• snowshoeing experience.
• natural hot spring admission at Lava Hot Springs Resort.
• park entrance fees for U.S. residents.
• lunch and snacks throughout the tour.
• hand warmers.
• hotel pickup from Salt Lake City Airport and drop-off at the end.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 Dec

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 200

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Nomad Unlimited Adventure

Is this one for you?The tour runs in English or Chinese with a live guide, so choose the language that fits your group. Groups stay between two and eight people, which means you get personal attention without the crowds of larger tours. Book early, as availability is limited.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What's the difference between riding a snow coach and driving myself through Yellowstone in winter?

Snow coaches are the only vehicles allowed on Yellowstone's interior roads once winter closes them to cars. The heated coach protects you from cold while you travel, and the driver knows where animals gather and which thermal features are accessible that day. You can't reach Old Faithful or Mammoth Hot Springs any other way in winter.

Will I definitely see elk on the sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge?

The refuge holds an estimated herd of over 5,000 elk, and the sleigh ride passes directly through it on day two. Wildlife sightings depend on animal movement and weather, so they're never guaranteed, but the refuge is where the elk concentrate during winter.

How much walking or physical effort is involved each day?

Snowshoeing is part of the itinerary, particularly around Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs, but you choose how far to explore. The sleigh ride and snow coach rides require no walking. The tour suits all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or pregnant travelers.

What if my flight arrives late at Salt Lake City Airport?

Arrivals before 9 a.m. fit the standard itinerary. Later arrivals may require changes to the day's schedule and could incur additional fees. Contact the operator when you book if your arrival is after 9 a.m. so they can adjust the plan.

Are meals included, or do I need to budget for restaurants?

Lunch and snacks are included on the itinerary. Dinners are not included, so you'll eat at restaurants in West Yellowstone and other towns. The operator suggests hearty options like BBQ.

Can I join this tour if I'm traveling alone?

The tour requires at least two people to schedule. If you're a solo traveler, contact the operator and they'll help you join another group that's already booking.