Views of Yellowstone National Park during the winter

Winter in Yellowstone

January 8–14, 2026 

Pricing: $6,595 per person; For a single room add $1,525

Please contact ATA at 855-395-6100 or CHQtravels@academic-travel.com to inquire.

Overview

There is nothing like Winter in Yellowstone, especially when Mark Wenzler, the Director of the Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative is your guide. This once in a lifetime adventure takes you deep into Yellowstone over snow-packed roads, stopping often to explore the wilderness. See the iced-over Upper Falls and watch Old Faithful’s dramatic eruptions without the crowds. Hike the boardwalks and trails around the Upper Geyser Basin to see colorful thermal pools and steaming fumaroles. Drive through Grand Teton National Park and take a horse-drawn sleigh through the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, where over 7,500 elk spend each winter. Hear directly from those who are working to protect the nation’s oldest national park and its wildlife and see firsthand how America’s “best idea” is meeting 21st century challenges. Feel at one with nature.  

Please note: Guests will need to navigate icy areas and be able to climb into and out of a snow coach. Elevation within Yellowstone National Park averages 8,000 feet. While we seek to adhere to the itinerary below, unpredictable winter weather occasionally requires us to modify activities to ensure passenger safety. 

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Please contact ATA at:
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Trip Highlights

  • Enjoy exclusive access to sites at Yellowstone when the crowds are gone and the animals are out. 
  • Learn from local naturalists how the reintroduction of wolves has affected Yellowstone and meet with leadership from nonprofits that are dedicated to the continued conservation of our national parks. 
  • View the impact the majesty of winter has on geysers, mud pools, and waterfalls. 
  • Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge, where over 7,500 elk spend their winter. 
  • Stay at lodges inside the park and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the quiet season of the nation’s oldest national park. 

Trip Expert: Mark Wenzler

Mark Wenzler, Peter Nosler Director of the Chautauqua Climate Initiative, began his service to Chautauqua Institution on June 14, 2021. Under Mark’s direction, the Climate Change Initiative has three primary areas of focus: Developing yearlong robust climate programming for the Institution, Leading the Institution’s work to protect and restore the ecological conditions of Chautauqua Lake, and helping advance a Climate Action Plan for the Institution’s operations. Before Chautauqua, Mark served as senior vice president for conservation programs at the National Parks Conservation Association, a not-for-profit organization working since 1919 to protect and enhance America’s National Park system for present and future generations. Mark also directed the climate and energy programs at the National Environmental Trust. He is a lawyer who began his career as a deputy attorney general prosecuting environmental cases for the New Jersey Division of Law, Environmental Practice Group, and later joined the Public Justice legal advocacy organization to represent organizations and communities in pursuing environmental justice against polluters.

Mark volunteers as chair of the board of trustees of Experience Learning, a high-alpine wilderness-based nonprofit focusing on experiential learning adventure programs for children and adults. He also volunteers as secretary of the board of directors of Climate Ride, a nonprofit that runs multiday cycling and hiking adventures around the globe, raising awareness and funds to fight climate change and advance a just and sustainable future. A New Jersey shore native, Mark resides in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C., with his spouse Dare, daughter Nina, and dog Ranger. He is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys backpacking, bike touring, backcountry skiing, paddling, wilderness running, and adventure travel.

Mark Wenzler

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 1

Welcome to Yellowstone 

Arrive in Bozeman, Montana, and transfer as a group to the renovated Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel inside Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone was the nation’s first national park, established by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872, only two years after the first organized expedition of its wonders. Gather this evening for a welcome reception and dinner and get to know your Chautauqua expert, Mark Wenzler, Chautauqua’s Climate Change director, who previously served as Senior Vice President at the National Parks Conservation Association. Special guest Stephanie Adams, Associate Director of the Wildlife Program for the National Parks Conservation Association, will also join the group this evening.  

Included Meal: Dinner, Reception 

Accommodations: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel 

Day 2

The Lamar Valley 

Depart before dawn for an unforgettable day of wildlife viewing deep in the northern range and Lamar Valley. Using spotting scopes, observe the resident herds in the valley, including bison. Wolves were reintroduced in 1995, and have flourished here, creating a new dynamic in the valley. In the afternoon, return to your hotel and relax. Those who choose can join Mark Wenzler for a walk after lunch exploring the travertine terraces around Mammoth Hot Springs. A representative from Yellowstone Forever, Yellowstone’s nonprofit partner, will join the group this afternoon to present about wolf reintroduction efforts.  

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Accommodations: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel 

Day 3

Old Faithful 

This morning, board snow coaches for a spectacular trip through Yellowstone. Stop at several geyser basins. Yellowstone sits on one of the world’s largest super-volcanoes, but don’t worry: It has had no serious eruptions for more than 600,000 years! Even so, this constant activity creates the hot springs, geysers, and other unique features of the park. At the stunning Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, stop to see the dramatic, iced-over Upper and Lower Falls. They look so different from their familiar summer scenes. Though the water seems frozen in place, it is still flowing behind an icy exoskeleton. If you’re lucky, you might see a giant icicle fall off the face of the falls and shatter on the valley floor. 

Check in to your hotel, then walk the short distance to Old Faithful to watch its spectacular eruptions, wreathed in steam. Old Faithful was named by members of the Washburn Expedition that charted the area in 1870, who reported that it erupted “nearly hourly.” The truth is that the eruption interval can be anywhere from 35 minutes to two hours. Dinner is on your own tonight.  

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Accommodations: Old Faithful Snow Lodge 

Day 4

Upper Geyser Basin 

Start the day with a morning talk from Mark Wenzler before hiking the boardwalks and trails of the Upper Geyser Basin, which contains the largest concentration of geysers in the world. This fascinating array of geothermal features includes Castle Geyser, the amazing colors of the Morning Glory Pool, bubbling mud pots, and fumaroles steaming with volcanic gases. Spend the afternoon on your own, taking advantage of the nearby trails, maybe with snowshoes or cross-country skis, or simply relaxing in front of the fire at the Snow Lodge. Embark on a steam, stars, and winter soundscapes adventure this evening. 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodations: Old Faithful Snow Lodge 

Day 5

Across the Continental Divide 

Travel by snow coach to Flagg Ranch, Yellowstone’s South Entrance. Cross the Continental Divide and drive through Grand Teton National Park, which abuts Yellowstone. Established in 1929 through the efforts of John D. Rockefeller, among other conservationists, the Grand Tetons are among the country’s youngest mountain ranges, as seen by the sharp peaks of its three instantly recognizable mountains. Continue to Jackson, stopping en route for lunch. After you settle into your hotel, join Mark Wenzler for a discussion about the role of ecological connectivity in helping parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton adapt to climate change. Then, enjoy exploring Jackson’s charming downtown on your own this evening.   

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Accommodations: Rustic Inn Creekside Resort and Spa 

Day 6

National Elk Refuge 

Start your day with an exclusive before-hours visit to the National Museum of Wildlife Art, where a stunning collection of works is housed in a building that appears to emerge from the earth like a natural outcropping of rock. Later, visit the National Elk Refuge, established in 1912 to protect habitat and provide sanctuary for the country’s largest elk herd. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the refuge, where over 7,500 elk and as many as 48 other mammal species spend the winter. This evening, enjoy a private reception in the Mangelsen—Images of Nature Gallery, where the gallery director will share background about renowned nature photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen’s work and commitment to conservation. Then, celebrate your Western adventure at a farewell dinner this evening along with a special guest from the Greater Yellowstone Coalition.  

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Accommodations: The Rustic Inn 

Day 7

Homeward Bound 

After breakfast, depart Jackson this morning on individual flights home. 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Reading List

  • Yellowstone: A Journey through America’s Wild Heart by David Quammen (National Geographic)
  • American Wolf by Nate Blakeselee
  • Wolverine Way by Doug Chadwick

Accommodations

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
Located inside Yellowstone National Park, this comfortable rustic property features modern amenities.

Old Faithful Snow Lodge
The award-winning Old Faithful Snow Lodge features elements of classic “parkitecture,” like heavy timber construction, log columns, and creative wildlife and park themes inside.

Rustic Inn Creekside Resort and Spa
Located on 12 lush acres adjacent to the National Elk Refuge and just a few blocks from Jackson’s lively town square, the inn offers western hospitality.