Snowmobile Access Program Logistics

 

Once you’ve secured your Non-commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program (N-CGSAP) permit, you're one step closer to your Yellowstone winter adventure. You will need to complete the required online training, understand all snowmobile regulations, and review essential logistics like check-in procedures, hours of travel, entrance fees, and BAT-approved snowmobiles.

Don’t forget to pack accordingly using our recommended clothing and gear checklists, and stay informed about weather conditions, potential road closures, fuel locations, and warming huts throughout the park. Planning ahead will help you make the most of your time in this incredible winter landscape.

Trip Planning

Online Training

• All snowmobile drivers must complete the Yellowstone Snowmobile Education online training.
• Print the certificate (valid for 2 years).

Lodging

• Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
• Nearby options are also available in our gateway communities.

Recommended Clothing & Gear

Clothing	Gear
Insulated snowmobile suit Helmet with face shield Goggles/sunglasses Insulated gloves & boots Wool/synthetic socks Moisture-wicking base layer Insulating mid-layers Ski mask/balaclava/neck gaiter	Extra food & water Shovel Avalanche beacons Extra clothing layers Map Spare snowmobile drive belt Tool kit or multi-tool First aid kit Flashlight/headlamp with extra batteries Chemical heat packs Survival kit: Thermal foil blanket, rope, whistle, fire starter, water purification, signal flares

 

Best Available Technology Snowmobiles & Rentals

The “New BAT” designation refers to a snowmobile that meets the park’s Best Available Technology (BAT) standard. Only snowmobiles listed below are approved for use in Yellowstone. Electric snowmobiles are not currently approved for use in Yellowstone.

2026

2026 - Bombardier (Engine Family TBCXY.6007GF)
Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE
Skandic LE 600 ACE

2026 - Bombardier (Engine Family TBCXY.8997GH)
Grand Touring LE 900 ACE
Grand Touring Sport 900 ACE
Expedition LE 900 ACE
Expedition SE 900 ACE
Skandic LE 900 ACE

2025

2025 - Bombardier (Engine Family SBCXY.6007GF)
Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE
Skandic LE 600 ACE

2025 - Bombardier (Engine Family SBCXY.8997GH)
Grand Touring LE 900 ACE
Grand Touring Sport 900 ACE
Expedition LE 900 ACE
Expedition SE 900 ACE
Skandic LE 900 ACE

2024

2024 - Bombardier (Engine Family RBCXY.6007GF)
Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE
Skandic LE 600 ACE

2024 - Bombardier (Engine Family RBCXY.8997GF)
Grand Touring Sport 900 ACE
Expedition LE 900 ACE
Expedition SE 900 ACE
Skandic LE 900 ACE

2023

2023 - Bombardier (Engine Family PBCXY.6007GF)
Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE
Skandic LE 600 ACE

2023 - Bombardier (Engine Family PBCXY.8997GF)
Grand Touring Limited 900 ACE
Grand Touring Sport 900 ACE
Expedition LE 900 ACE
Expedition SE 900 ACE
Skandic LE 900 ACE
Skandic SE 900 ACE

2022

2022 - Bombardier (Engine Family NBCXY.6007GF)
Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE
Skandic WT 600 ACE

2022 - Bombardier (Engine Family NBCXY.8997GF)
Grand Touring Limited 900 ACE
Grand Touring Sport 900 ACE
Expedition LE 900 ACE
Expedition SE 900 ACE
Skandic WT 900 ACE

2021

2021 - Bombardier (Engine Family MBCXY.6007GF)
Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE
Skandic WT 600 ACE

2021 - Bombardier (Engine Family MBCXY.8997GF)
Grand Touring Limited 900 ACE
Grand Touring Sport 900 ACE
Expedition LE 900 ACE
Expedition SE 900 ACE
Skandic WT 900 ACE

2020

2020 - Bombardier (Engine Family LBCXY.6007)
Tundra Sport 600 ACE
Tundra LT 600 ACE

2020 - Bombardier (Engine Family LBCXY.6007GF)
Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE

2020 - Bombardier (Engine Family LBCXY.8997GF)
Grand Touring Limited 900 ACE
Grand Touring Sport 900 ACE
Expedition LE 900 ACE
Expedition SE 900 ACE

2019

2019 - Bombardier (Engine Family KBCXY.6007GF)
Renegade Sport 600 ACE
Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE
Tundra Sport 600 ACE
Tundra LT 600 ACE
Expedition Sport 600 ACE
2019 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2019 - Bombardier (Engine Family KBCXY.8997GF)
Grand Touring Limited 900 ACE
2019 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2018

2018 - Bombardier (Engine Family JBCXY.6007GF)
MX-Z Sport 600 ACE
Renegade Sport 600 ACE
Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE
Tundra Sport 600 ACE
Tundra LT 600 ACE
Expedition Sport 600 ACE
2018 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2018 - Bombardier (Engine Family JBCXY.8997GF)
MX-Z TNT 900 ACE
MX-Z Blizzard 900 ACE
Renegade Adrenaline 900 ACE
Renegade Enduro 900 ACE
Grand Touring LE 900 ACE V
Grand Touring SE 900 ACE
Expedition Sport 900 ACE
2018 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2018 – Yamaha (Engine Family JYMXY1.04BDB)
Yamaha RS10Y
2018 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2017

2017 - Bombardier (Engine Family HBCXY.6007GF)
Ski Doo MX-Z Sport 600 ACE
Ski Doo Renegade Sport 600 ACE
Ski Doo Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE
Ski Doo Tundra Sport 600 ACE
Ski Doo Tundra LT 600 ACE
Ski Doo Expedition Sport 600 ACE
2017 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2017 – Bombardier (Engine Family HBCXY.8997GF)
Ski Doo MX-Z TNT 900 ACE
Ski Doo MX-Z Blizzard 900 ACE
Ski Doo Renegade Adrenaline 900 ACE
Ski Doo Renegade Enduro 900 ACE
Ski Doo Grand Touring LE 900 ACE V
Ski Doo Grand Touring SE 900 ACE
Ski Doo Expedition Sport 900 ACE
2017 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2017 - Yamaha (Engine Family HYMXY.104BDB)
Yamaha RS10Y
2017 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2016

2016 – Bombardier (Engine FamilyGBCXY.6007GF)
Ski Doo MX-Z Sport 600 ACE
Ski Doo Renegade Sport 600 ACE
Ski Doo Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE
Ski Doo Tundra Sport 600 ACE
Ski Doo Tundra LT 600 ACE
Ski Doo Expedition Sport 600 ACE
2016 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2016 – Bombardier (Engine Family FBCXY.8997GF)
Ski Doo MX-Z TNT 900 ACE
Ski Doo Renegade Adrenaline 900 ACE
Ski Doo MX-Z Blizzard 900 ACE
Ski Doo Renegade Enduro 900 ACE
Ski Doo Grand Touring LE 900 ACE
Ski Doo Expedition Sport 900 ACE
2016 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2016 – Yamaha (Engine Family GBCXY1.04BDB)
Yamaha RS10Y
2016 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2015

2015 – Bombardier (Engine Family FBCXY.6007GF)
Ski Doo MX-Z Sport 600 AC
Ski Doo Grand Touring Sport 600
Ski Doo Expedition Sport 600 ACE
Ski Doo Renegade Sport 600 ACE
Ski Doo Tundra LT 600 ACE
Ski Doo Tundra Sport 600 ACE
2015 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

2015 – Bombardier (Engine Family FBCXY.8997GF)
Ski Doo MX-Z TNT 900 ACE
Ski Doo Renegade Adrenaline 900 ACE
Ski Doo GSX LE 900 ACE V
Ski Doo Grand Touring LE 900 ACE
Ski Doo Expedition Sport 900 ACE
2015 model year snowmobiles must have fewer than 6,000 miles.

BAT Requirements

All snowmobiles entering the park must operate at or below 67 dBA and must be certified to a Family Emission Limit (FEL) no greater than a total of 15 g/kW-hr for hydrocarbons and 90 g/kW-hr for carbon monoxide. A snowmobile will be certified for six consecutive winter seasons following its manufacture or until the snowmobile travels 6,000 miles, whichever occurs later. Model Year 2015-2019 snowmobiles must have less than 6,000 miles on the odomoter to be approved.
 

	Air Emissions (g/kW-hr)		Sound Emissions (dBA)
	Hydrocarbons	Carbon Monoxide
Average 2-Stroke (Non-BAT)	150	400	78
NPS New BAT Requirements	151	902	673

¹ Hydrocarbons: certified by EPA to a Family Emissions Limit (FEL) of 15 g/kW-hr or less.

² Carbon Monoxide: certified by EPA to a Family Emissions Limit (FEL) of 90 g/kW-hr or less. Air emission figures for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons presented are either the Official Test Results (OTR) or the certified FEL. The Official Test Results are actual measured emissions.

³ To operate in the park after March 15, 2015, a population of measurements for a snowmobile model may not exceed a mean output of 67 dBA, and a single measurement may not exceed 69 dBA, using the J1161 test procedures.

Rental Options

East Entrance

• Gary Fales Outfitting: 307-587-3970

North Entrance

• No rentals in Mammoth or Gardiner. The closest rentals are in Bozeman, MT.
• Big Boy Toys: 406-587-4747 (snowmobiles must be towed to Mammoth)

South Entrance

• No rentals at Flagg Ranch. The closest rentals are in Jackson Hole, WY.
• Jackson Hole Adventure Rentals: 307-733-5678 (snowmobiles must be towed to Flagg Ranch)
• Leisure Sports: 307-733-3040 (snowmobiles must be towed to Flagg Ranch)

West Entrance

• Backcountry Adventures: 460-646-9317
• Three Bear Rentals: 406-646-7353 or 800-646-7353
• Two Top Snowmobile Rental, Inc.: 406-646-7802
• Yellowstone Adventures: 406-646-7735 or 800-231-5991
• Yellowstone Vacations: 406-646-9564 or 800-426-7669

 

During Your Trip

Weather & Road Conditions

• Be prepared for extreme cold (below -20°F), snowstorms, whiteouts, and freezing fog
• Roads may close due to weather. Check road conditions or call 307-344-2117
  • No refunds/reschedules for poor weather.
• If there is a closure in effect on the day of your trip:
  • Wait for the closure to be lifted later in the day.
  • Obtain another permit if available.
  • Cancel without refund.
• The East Entrance Road which crosses Sylvan Pass may close due to avalanche danger for hours or even days at a time.

Check-In

• Pay the park entrance fee or show an annual pass per snowmobile.
• Required before 4 p.m. on the first day (or as early as the day before)
• Rangers verify documents, issue printed permits, and give an orientation

Hours of Travel

• 7:00 am to 9:00 pm (except East & South Entrances open at 8:00 a.m.)
• Overnight trips must exit by 9:00 p.m. on the final day
• Daylight travel is recommended

Available Services

Yellowstone, in conjunction with its partners, may offer limited services in these areas during the winter months.

• Canyon: fuel, warming hut, visitor center
• Fishing Bridge: fuel, warming hut
• Grant Village: fuel
• Indian Creek: warming hut
• Madison: warming hut
• Mammoth Hot Springs: food, fuel, visitor center
• Old Faithful: food, fuel, warming hut, visitor center
• West Thumb: warming hut

Do not rely on cell phones for critical communications. Cell coverage is not available in many areas and cold temperatures can cause batteries to fail quickly.

Snowmobile Regulations

• Snowmobile operators must complete the free online Yellowstone Snowmobile Education Program and print their certificate.
• Snowmobile operators must have a valid driver’s license.
• The permit holder must keep a copy of their signed permit with them at all times.
• All groups must display a N-CGSAP decal (provided at check-in).
• Snowmobiles must stay on groomed, oversnow roads. All off-tril travel is prohibited.
• The maximum snowmobile speed limit is 35 mph (unless posted otherwise).
• Use hand signals to signal which way you are turning and when slowing and stopping.
• Do not drink alcohol and operate a snowmobile. Open container laws apply to snowmobile operators. Group leaders have a limit of .04 blood alcohol content (BAC); all other operators have a BAC limit of .08.
• Do not approach or feed wildlife.
• Animals always have the right of way. Expect to encounter them on park roads and slow down or stop your snowmobile until they pass or move off the road.
• Do not idle snowmobile for more than three minutes.
• Groups must stay together: within 1/3 mile of the lead snowmobile.
• Pets are not allowed to accompany groups traveling under non-commercially guided permits.
• Towing sleds is allowed with a rigid tow bar: people cannot ride on towed sleds.

 

Checklist for Operators

• Valid driver’s license (16+ for operators, 18+ for permit holders)
• New BAT Snowmobile with current registration
• Printed Yellowstone Snowmobile Education Certificate
• N-CGSAP decal (given at check-in)
• Credit card for fuel
• Check current road conditions online or call 307-344-2117.
• Leave your trip itinerary with someone and check in afterward

 

More Information

• 

  Snowmobiling

  Apply for a permit through the Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program to snowmobile in the park.

• 

  Winter Safety

  Stay safe in Yellowstone’s winter! Dress warmly, carry essentials, check weather, and be prepared for extreme cold and changing conditions.

• 

  Guided Tours

  Professional guides can help you make the most of your visit.

• 

  Park Road Status

  Most roads open mid-April through Oct. 31. Weather and improvement projects may cause delays or closures. Check road status often.

• 

  Operating Dates

  Wondering what will be open during your next trip? It's all covered here!

• 

  Fees & Passes

  Learn about the fees and passes that are available.