Winter Travel Itinerary and Costs for Yellowstone National Park

Traveling to Yellowstone National Park in winter can be a unique experience. Here's a detailed itinerary and cost breakdown for a trip starting from San Diego to Salt Lake City on December 23rd. Upon arrival on December 24th, pick up a rental car and stock up on supplies before heading to West Yellowstone. It's crucial to buy instant meals as most places in West Yellowstone are closed during the winter holidays, and waiting times can be long. Consider purchasing self-heating pots, which are a delightful alternative to sandwiches. On December 25th, take a snow coach tour to Old Faithful, where you can learn about the hot springs and other attractions. Witnessing the eruption of Old Faithful is quite spectacular, with all the steam rising into the cold air. On December 26th, try snowmobiling in the Canyon area. Be prepared for extreme cold, as temperatures can drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Despite using all sorts of warm clothing and heat packs, it remains very cold. We were lucky as the tours for the following day were canceled due to too many accidents. Each day's activities start around 8 AM and end by 4 PM. On December 27th, drive from the West Entrance to the North Entrance of Yellowstone, which takes about three hours. If you're interested in wildlife, consider staying an extra day, as sightings depend on luck. We saw a large elk by the roadside as we were leaving. On December 28th, travel from Yellowstone to Jackson Hole and then to Salt Lake City. Jackson Hole is worth exploring, with its charming evening street views and cute shops selling fur and animal products. On December 29th, visit the Great Salt Lake, which is dry this year, leaving a vast white expanse. The sunset lighting is beautiful, and many Chinese tourists come to take photos. With no water, cars can drive onto the lakebed. Finally, return to San Diego on December 30th. Overall, the trip isn't too exhausting, but there's a lot of driving involved. Having four people to take turns driving helps a lot. Cost Breakdown: - Hotel Grey Wolf: $450 - Car Rental: $650 (Hertz) - Food and Supplies: $600 - Snow Coach: $250 - Snowmobile: $450 - Gas and Taxi: $150 - Additional Warm Gear: $150 - Miscellaneous: $150 In total, the trip cost over $2800 for two people. My money has flown away again! #ucsd #Yellowstone #YellowstoneNationalPark #YellowstoneUSA