Visiting Yellowstone National Park in December is a rare and magical experience. With steaming geysers framed by snow, wildlife in winter coats, and fewer crowds, it’s an outdoor lover’s dream. But it’s also one of the coldest months of the year—and you’ll need to pack like a pro.
Expect deep snow, subzero temperatures, and limited services. Whether you’re snowmobiling, wildlife watching, or just experiencing the park’s frozen beauty, packing the right cold-weather gear is essential for safety, comfort, and fun.
📝Note: This article is all about Yellowstone packing list December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments! *
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- Yellowstone in December: -18 to -1°C / 0–30°F ❄️
- Snow-covered roads, limited park access (mostly by guided snowcoach or snowmobile)
- Bitter cold, wind chill, icy trails
What to Pack for Yellowstone in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Large duffel or weatherproof suitcase – Winter gear takes space 🧳
- Daypack – For snowcoach or guided outings 🎒
- Packing cubes – Organize thermals and bulky layers 🧩
- Boot bag – Keep snow boots separate 👢
- Toiletry bag – Winter skincare ready 💧
- Document organizer – Park permits, ID, insurance 📁
- Compression sack – For insulated jackets 📦
- Laundry pouch – For damp socks + thermals 🧺
- Neck pillow – Travel to the park is long 💤
- Headlamp – Early sunsets mean dark evenings 🔦
👗 Clothes
- Thermal base layers (3–5 sets) – Foundation for warmth ❄️
- Fleece or wool mid-layers (2–3) – Insulation is key 🧥
- Heavy parka – Insulated, waterproof, windproof 🧊
- Ski or snow pants – Necessary for snow activities ⛷️
- Wool sweater – Cozy for indoor lodge time 🧶
- Wool or thermal socks (5–7) – Frostbite defense 🧦
- Gloves (2 pairs) – 1 liner + 1 insulated outer 🧤
- Warm hat – Cover those ears 🧢
- Neck gaiter or scarf – Stop the wind 🧣
- Snow boots – Waterproof, insulated, treaded 🥾
- Pajamas – Fleece or thermal 🛌
- Undergarments – Full set + extras 👙
💆 Skincare
- Rich cleanser – For dry air 🧼
- Hydrating toner – Combat altitude dehydration 💧
- Heavy-duty moisturizer – AM + PM protection 🧴
- Sunscreen – Snow glare burns! ☀️
- Lip balm w/SPF – Constant reapply 💋
- Face mist – Revive skin mid-hike 💦
- Eye cream – Prevent wind-induced puffiness 👁️
💄 Makeup
- BB cream – Hydrating coverage 💄
- Concealer – Brighten cold shadows ✨
- Blush – Natural winter flush 🌸
- Waterproof mascara – No smudge in snow 👁️
- Lip tint – Adds color + moisture 💋
💇 Hair Care
- Brush/comb – Manage helmet hair 💨
- Dry shampoo – Easy fix between washes 💨
- Anti-frizz serum – Dry air helper ⚡
- Shampoo/conditioner – Rich formulas 🧴
- Hair ties – For bundling under hats 🧵
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Snow boots – Waterproof and insulated 🥾
- Sneakers – For indoors or travel days 👟
- Thermal socks – Several pairs 🧦
- Wool hat – Necessary for subzero days 🧢
- Scarf or gaiter – Neck protection 🧣
- Ski gloves or mittens – Thick outer pair 🧤
- Sunglasses – Snow glare is serious 😎
- Hand warmers – Essential in extreme cold 🔥
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Photo ID & park pass 🪪
- Hotel/lodge confirmation 📄
- Travel insurance (includes adventure cover) 🧾
- Emergency contacts + health info 📋
- Offline maps – Signal is spotty 🗺️
🚑 First Aid
- Blister pads – For boots and socks 🩹
- Painkillers – Cold = aches 🤕
- Altitude meds – For some areas 🏔️
- Cold meds – Common need ❄️
- Thermometer – Optional, useful 🌡️
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Toothbrush/paste – Fresh breath in the wild 🪥
- Deodorant – Layers = sweat 🌸
- Feminine products – Stock up 🩸
- Hand sanitizer – Always needed 👐
- Travel tissues – Cold noses 🧻
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone + charger 📱
- Power bank – Cold drains battery ⚡
- Camera – Wildlife + geysers 📸
- GoPro – Snowmobile-ready 🎥
- Headlamp – Early sunsets 🔦
- Walkie-talkies – No cell zones 🗨️
🎧 Entertainment
- Kindle or books – Lodge time 📚
- Podcasts/music – Snowcoach rides 🎧
- Journal – Record the snowy magic 📓
🎁 Extras
- Thermos – Hot drinks outdoors ☕
- Reusable bottle – Hydrate despite the cold 💧
- Snacks – Long treks require fuel 🍫
- Binoculars – Wolf & bison spotting 🐺
- Hand/foot warmers – Lifesavers 🔥
🌍 Travel Tips
- Book snowcoach or snowmobile tours early ❄️
- Check road conditions before traveling 🚗
- Layer wisely – No cotton! 🧥
- Download all maps offline 📲
🛂 Visa Tips
- US = No visa needed for domestic travel 🛂
- International travelers – ESTA or visa as required ✈️
⭐ Must-Haves
- Insulated boots 🥾
- Thermal base layers ❄️
- Parka 🧥
- Gloves + hat 🧤🧢
- Sunscreen + lip balm ☀️💋
👍 Good-to-Have
- Binoculars 🦌
- Hand warmers 🔥
- Walkie-talkies 📻
- Thermos ☕
- Snow gaiters 🥾
