Applications will be accepted starting Sept. 3, 2014, for those interested in obtaining a permit to take a non-commercially guided snowmobile trip into Yellowstone National Park this winter.
A permit is required for all non-commercially guided snowmobile groups to enter the park.
The program to allocate permits will be run as a lottery with applications being accepted online at http://recreation.gov through Oct. 3, 2014. If there are multiple applications for the same entrance for the same time period, one application will be selected by chance and awarded the permit. After the conclusion of the lottery, any remaining or cancelled permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through the same webpage starting in November, 2014.
The Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program was authorized in the 2013 final Winter Use Rule. The program allows one non-commercially guided group per day to enter Yellowstone from each of its four winter entrances. Trips can range in length from one to three days. A maximum of five snowmobiles is permitted in each group and all snowmobiles must meet the Best Available Technology standard in effect at the time of entry.
Permit holders are considered guides and must be at least 18 years old by the first day of the trip. All snowmobile operators in a non-commercially guided trip must possess a state-issued driver’s license and have successfully completed the online Yellowstone Snowmobile Education Certification program, which will be available starting in November 2014.
The development of the Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program has had significant stakeholder involvement. In particular, the State of Wyoming, through Governor’s Office and the State Trails Program, has provided critical support for the development of the required on-line snowmobile education course.
Additional details regarding the program can be found at http://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/ngsap.htm or by contacting Alicia Murphy, Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program Coordinator, at e-mail us or 307-344-2627.