Winter in Montana: A 3-Day Paradise Valley and Yellowstone Itinerary
Winter changes how Paradise Valley feels. The valley is quieter, Yellowstone draws fewer visitors, and soaking in an open-air geothermal pool is a different experience when the air is cold and the mountains are white.
This 3-day itinerary uses Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa as a base, around 30 miles from Yellowstone National Park's North Entrance. It pairs one day in the park with slower days at the resort, and it works as a 2-day trip if you skip day three.
Winter in Montana: What to Know Before You Go
A little planning makes a winter trip easier.
Yellowstone in Winter
Most park roads close to regular vehicles from early November to late April. The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner to Cooke City is the exception, and it stays open year-round. Once the oversnow season begins on December 15, 2026, guided snowcoach and snowmobile trips run on groomed roads inside the park. Dates can change with conditions, so check the park roads page before you go.
The Hot Springs in Winter
Chico's two open-air pools are open daily, year-round. Resort guests can soak from 7am to 11pm, and the pools are supplied by 100% natural geothermal water. Pack a swimsuit, warm layers and boots with good grip for the walk between your room and the pools.
When to Visit Yellowstone From Chico in Winter
Winter looks different from month to month inside the park. In early December, the year-round North Entrance road is the main way in. From December 15, 2026, the oversnow season opens, with snowcoaches and snowmobiles reaching groomed roads from Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris and beyond.
By March, the season winds down. The 2026-27 schedule has the Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris route open to oversnow travel until March 7, 2027, and the remaining groomed roads until between March 9 and March 15. If you are planning a late-winter trip, check the park roads page first.
Day 1: Arrive, Soak and Settle In
Afternoon: Check In and Soak
Choose from rooms in the Historic Main Lodge, cabins and other places to stay across the property, then head to the hot springs. The large pool averages 96°F and the small pool averages 103°F, and access is included with your stay.
Winter adds its own contrast. Cold air, warm mineral water and an evening sky make the first soak of the trip an easy way to unwind after the drive.
Where to Stay
Chico has been welcoming guests since the Chico Warm Springs Hotel opened in 1900, and the stay options still reflect that history. The Historic Main Lodge places you at the center of the resort's century-old story, while the cabins and larger accommodations give you more space in the same Paradise Valley setting.
Evening: Dinner in the Historic Dining Room
Dinner is served daily from 5pm to 9pm in the Historic Dining Room, with seasonal, scratch-made menus that draw on local ingredients and produce from Chico's gardens and geothermally heated greenhouses. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Afterward, the Chico Saloon is open until 1am, with live music from local artists on weekends and select nights.
Day 2: Yellowstone in Winter
Morning: Drive to the North Entrance
Start early and take the road north through Paradise Valley to the North Entrance at Gardiner. From there, the year-round road to Cooke City takes you past Mammoth Hot Springs and on toward Tower Junction and Lamar Valley.
Midday: Look for Winter Wildlife
Winter is a rewarding time to watch wildlife in Yellowstone. Chico's winter guide points to bison, elk, wolves and foxes, particularly in Lamar Valley and Paradise Valley. Bring binoculars, dress warmly and stay at least 100 yards from wolves and bears and 25 yards from other wildlife.
Optional: Take a Guided Oversnow Tour
If your trip falls after December 15, a guided snowcoach tour opens up parts of the park that are closed to regular vehicles. Chico's winter guide also covers dog sledding and snowmobiling in the Yellowstone region, so you can choose the pace that suits your group.
Evening: Spa Time, a Soak and a Casual Dinner
Back at the resort, the Chico Day Spa is a good way to end a day outdoors. Treatments include massage and facials, and you can pair a massage with a soak in the pools. Check the seasonal specials and call 406-333-4553 to book.
For dinner, keep it relaxed at the Chico Saloon, where food is served until 9pm.
A Slower Day 2 at Chico
If the weather turns or you want a quieter day, you can spend day two at the resort instead. Start with a soak, book a treatment at the Day Spa, walk the greenhouses and settle in at the Chico Saloon for the afternoon. Yellowstone will still be there tomorrow.
Day 3: Gardens, Livingston and a Last Soak
Morning: Breakfast and the Gardens
Start with a soak, then have breakfast in the Historic Dining Room, served Monday to Saturday from 7:30am to 10:30am and on Sundays enjoy a Brunch, with an elevated buffet menu and a complimentary mimosa for those 21+. Geothermal runoff keeps the gardens growing year-round, and the Gift Shop & Coffee Bar is a good stop before you leave the property.
Afternoon: Explore Livingston
Livingston is a short drive from Paradise Valley, with boutiques, bookstores, galleries and museums along its downtown streets. For lunch, The Murray Bar serves burgers, salads and wood-fired pizza, with live music in a building more than a century old.
If You'd Rather Ski
If skiing or snowboarding is the priority, Chico's winter guide points to Bridger Bowl near Bozeman and Big Sky Resort. Check each resort's opening dates and conditions, then come back to Chico for a soak at the end of the day.
[Explore Things to Do at Chico]
Plan Your Winter Stay at Chico
A winter stay at Chico gives you somewhere warm to return to after cold days in Yellowstone or on the slopes. The geothermal pools, the Historic Dining Room, the Day Spa and the wider Paradise Valley setting are all in one place, so each day can follow its own pace.
See the current offers before you book, and review each offer's inclusions and dates.
Plan Your Winter Stay at Chico Hot Springs
Winter in Montana FAQs
Is Yellowstone open in winter?
Yes, with limits. The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner to Cooke City is open year-round to regular vehicles, while most other park roads close from early November to late April. Guided snowcoach and snowmobile trips run on groomed roads from December 15, 2026, depending on conditions.
How far is Chico Hot Springs from Yellowstone's North Entrance?
Chico is in Paradise Valley, around 30 miles from the North Entrance at Gardiner.
Are Chico's hot springs open in winter?
Yes. The two open-air pools are open daily, year-round, and resort guests can soak from 7am to 11pm, with access included in their stay.
When does the Yellowstone winter season start and end?
The oversnow season for the 2026-27 winter opens on December 15, 2026 and runs until between March 7 and March 15, 2027, depending on the route. The North Entrance road to Cooke City stays open all year.
Can I do this itinerary in 2 days?
Yes. Keep day one and day two for the soak, dinner and a day in Yellowstone, and skip day three if you are short on time.
What should I pack for a winter trip to Paradise Valley?
Pack a swimsuit, warm layers, a hat and gloves, and boots with good grip. Binoculars are useful for wildlife watching.