Ice to Meet You: The Strangest Winter Scenes in Cody Yellowstone

Posted by: Park Country Travel Council

Posted on: February 18, 2026

The Round-Up: What You’ll Learn in This Article

- Steam and subzero air can create ice fog, geyser rain, and frost-coated trees near geothermal areas.
- Yellowstone Lake can become a vast ice sheet, while thermal activity simmers below.
- Wildlife carries on through the snow, including bison with snowball beards.
- Wind-sculpted drifts form striking snow patterns you can see on ski trails near the East Gate.
- Dark skies and bright snow can create faint starlight shadows on clear nights.

When Cody Yellowstone is wrapped in a blanket of snow, winter doesn’t just get beautiful—it gets weird (in the best possible way).

Just down the road, Yellowstone’s geothermal heat rises into cold mountain air across a landscape of geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, mud pots, wildlife, and wide-open winter terrain. When heat and deep cold collide, the result is a season full of sights that don’t feel real—until you’re standing in them.

The Weird Winter Wonders of Cody Yellowstone

Snowy landscapes on May 1 in Yellowstone - the last snow storm of the season.

Air & Atmosphere: When Winter Turns the Sky into a Special Effect

Ice fog: When conditions are just right, tiny ice crystals float in the air and shimmer like fog. As light hits them, they turn into natural sun-catchers—sparkling, shifting, and surprisingly hypnotic. You might spot ice fog along the Southfork of the Shoshone River and on stretches of the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway toward Yellowstone’s East Gate.

Geyser rain: When near-boiling water shoots into frigid air, it can fall back down looking like icy pellets drifting to earth. It’s one of those only-in-Yellowstone moments—the kind that makes you laugh, then immediately grab your camera.

Hoar frost: On clear, calm nights, water vapour can transform directly into ice crystals, leaving feathery formations on wires, grass, fences, and tree branches. Around Cody, visitors often spot hoar frost on fences lining sections of Buffalo Bill Reservoir—an everyday scene that suddenly looks like a winter sculpture garden.

Heat vs. Ice: The Surreal Stuff That Happens When the Ground Won’t Behave

Tiny yellow wildflowers growing around geysers in soil filled with calcium deposits

Monkey flowers: Only a few inches tall, these strange little yellow wildflowers grow around hot springs during winter. They survive thanks to their short stature and the steady warmth of the springs. (They show up in summer too—just not as mysteriously.)

Ice sheet: In winter, Yellowstone Lake can lock up under a massive lid of ice—up to 136 square miles of it. Ice can be two feet thick on the surface, yet in some areas below, hydrothermal activity can keep the lakebed far from frozen.

Rivers that never freeze: Some rivers, including the Madison River, often keep flowing through the coldest months. In places, geothermal inputs and moving water work together to keep sections open even when the air feels sharp enough to crack.

Snow mirrors: When snow melts slightly and refreezes, it can form smooth, reflective patches that shine from a distance. Under the right light, entire slopes can look glazed—like the mountains decided to put on a coat of ice-polish.

Wildlife & Snow: Nature’s Toughest Residents (and Their Strangest Accessories)

A bison or buffalo with a snowy face moving through the snow which creates a white background

Snowball beards: Bison forage beneath the snow, and sometimes they come up with clumps of snow and ice dangling from their chin hair—oddly shaped snowball beards that sway as they walk. Eventually, the weight forces them to break off, sometimes taking fur with them. You can often see bison lumbering down paved roads just outside the park—slow, steady, and totally unbothered.

Ghost trees: In winter, rime from hydrothermal mist can coat tree branches in ice. Add falling snow, and the trees take on an eerie, pale look—hence the nickname ghost trees. They’re stunning to photograph, but the buildup can get heavy enough to snap limbs, so give them space.

The Landscape Itself: Wind-Carved Art and the Snow You Can’t Pack

Snow sculptures: Yellowstone’s winter wind moves snow like dust, building drifts into ridges, ripples, and patterns that can look strangely symmetrical. One of the best ways to spot these natural formations is cross-country skiing on trails outside the East Gate and near the Wood River Valley Ski Touring Park.

But no snowmen: Yellowstone averages about 150 inches of snowfall annually—yet your snowman dreams may fall apart fast. Much of the snow is so dry it won’t stick together like wetter snow found in more humid places. (Spring and fall snowfalls can be wetter and more packable.)

Night Sky: When the Darkness Shows Off

Starlight shadows: Thanks to Yellowstone’s dark skies, it’s possible—on the right night—to see a faint shadow cast by starlight alone. Winter snow cover helps by reflecting what little light there is. Step away from artificial light, give your eyes time to adjust, and then look up: the stars are the real headline.

Winter Gets Weird Here

Winter in Cody Yellowstone is sharp, quiet, and surprisingly weird. Steam, ice, and wildlife create scenes you cannot fake.

Dress for wind, drive with patience, and keep your camera batteries warm.

Want more winter planning help? Explore more things to do in Cody Yellowstone and put together a trip that fits your pace.

Request your free Cody Yellowstone Vacation Guide today.

Winter FAQs

What makes winter in Cody Yellowstone so weird?

Winter here is a rare mix of deep cold and geothermal heat. Steam rising into frigid air creates surreal effects—like ice fog, rime-covered trees, and icy geyser rain—that you won’t see in most snowy destinations.

Can you really see ice fog in the Cody area?

Yes—when temperatures and humidity line up, ice crystals can hang in the air and shimmer like fog. It can happen in valleys and near rivers, including areas along the Southfork of the Shoshone River and on the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway toward Yellowstone’s East Gate.

What are ghost trees in Yellowstone?

Ghost trees are trees coated in rime ice from hydrothermal mist, often combined with falling snow. The buildup can make branches look pale and eerie—and can get heavy enough to break limbs.

What are bison snowball beards?

As bison dig and forage through snow, snow and ice can clump onto their chin hair and hang like icicles—creating what looks like a dangling snowball beard. They often drop off once they get heavy enough.

Does Yellowstone Lake really freeze over in winter?

Yes. In winter, Yellowstone Lake can develop a massive ice sheet that stretches for miles. Conditions vary each year, but it’s one of the most dramatic winter sights in the region.

Why can’t you build a snowman with Yellowstone snow?

Much of Yellowstone’s snow is very dry and powdery, so it doesn’t pack well. Wetter snow is more likely during early or late-season storms (spring or fall), when conditions can be a bit more snowman-friendly.

What are snow sculptures and where can you see them?

Strong winter winds move snow into ripples, ridges, and striking drifts—like natural sculpture. A great way to spot them is cross-country skiing on trails outside the East Gate and near the Wood River Valley Ski Touring Park.

Can you really see your shadow by starlight in Yellowstone?

On very dark, clear nights, it can be possible to see faint shadows created by starlight—especially with bright snow reflecting light. Step away from artificial light and give your eyes time to adjust.

Is it safe to explore geothermal areas in winter?

Geothermal areas are incredible in winter, but they require extra caution. Stay on boardwalks and marked trails—snow can hide thin ground and hazards near hot springs and vents.

What should I pack for a winter trip to Cody Yellowstone?

Think warm, windproof, and layered: insulated boots with traction, wool socks, base layers, a heavy coat, gloves, a warm hat, hand warmers, and a thermos. Add a headlamp (for early dark) and a camera battery backup (cold drains batteries fast).