Yellowstone Snowmobile Lottery 2025–26: How to Apply for Winter Permits

Each winter, Yellowstone National Park opens a limited number of permits that allow riders to explore the park on snowmobiles without a commercial guide. The lottery for the 2025–26 season runs from August 1–31, 2025 on Recreation.gov, with winners chosen in early September. Each permit covers a group of up to five sleds for up to three days, providing a rare chance to ride through Yellowstone’s winter landscape — past geysers, wildlife, and groomed trails — on your own. This lottery system, in place since 2013, is the only way to enjoy unguided access inside the park in winter.

 

How to Apply:

 

1. Visit the Recreation.gov lottery page.
2. Find the listing titled “Yellowstone Non‑Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program.”
3. Click to enter the lottery—applications are accepted August 1–31, 2025.
4. Winners are notified in early September; any remaining permits open to first-come availability starting October 1

 

• Information sourced from the U.S. National Park Service (nps.gov) and Recreation.gov.