If You Live In Wyoming, You’ll Want To Visit This Amazing Park This Winter

There's no way around it - Yellowstone rocks. On top of being the oldest national park in the country, it is the biggest and pretty much the most famous. Usually, summer is the tourist season at Yellowstone National Park, but locals know that nothing compares to visiting in the winter. When you go to YNP in the off-season, it's all about fun winter activities and enjoying the gorgeous Wyoming outdoors in ways you can't any other time of year.

Yes, it's true that many of the roads through Yellowstone National Park close in the winter, but much of it remains open to the public year-round offering an opportunity to experience some winter fun Wyoming-style.

With rinks at Mammoth Hot Springs as well as Old Faithful Lodge, you could start out with an afternoon of ice skating...

There are outdoor rinks.

...or skate at night. The rink at Old Faithful Lodge is even more stunning after dark, and there's usually a bonfire nearby for warming up.

Skating in Yellowstone is a fabulous free activity - skates are available to borrow from the lodge if you don't happen to have a pair of your own.

Snowshoeing through Yellowstone is a superb workout, plus you get an up-close look at the glorious landscape blanketed in sparkling snow.

Take a look at the fun you can have snowshoeing around Old Faithful:

If you prefer touring the park in a bit more comfort, hop aboard the snow coach to see the sensational scenery...

...and possibly a few of the year-round residents of the park.

Snowmobiling is another spectacular way to enjoy Yellowstone in the winter.

For this activity, you do need to be in the company of an authorized guide or have a snowmobile access permit. Snowmobiling in YNP is popular, though, so whether you decide on a getting a guide or a permit, it's best to make reservations as far in advance as possible.

Plus, remember: whenever you need to take a break from the cold or get something to eat, you can head inside Old Faithful Lodge.

The marvelous historical inn is just one option for lodging and dining in the park during winter. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is another choice, plus warming huts in the park offer quick snacks if you're on the go.

Have you been to Yellowstone in winter?

What other Wyoming places offer loads of winter activities?