It’s been a decade since the National Park Service has offered permits for self-guided snowmobile trips in Yellowstone National Park, but this winter they’ll be offered once again. For the past 10 years, the park has only permitted snowmobiles if visitors were part of a professionally-guided tour.

This year, a lottery will be held that will permit one group (with a maximum of five snowmobiles), to enter the park through each of the North, South, East, and West entrances per day for a total of four groups per day, with trips being one to three days long. Named the Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program (N-CGSAP), it will allow groups to leave and re-enter the park through any gate during their trip.

According to Montana Public Radio, more than 2,000 snowmobiles entered the park each day a decade ago. That number decreased to 300 last year, but is expected to increase to more than 500 this year with the creation of the new program. The limited access began in 2004 because of concerns regarding the impact snowmobiling could have on wildlife, as well as the health risks associated with the snowmobile exhaust park staff members were exposed to.

Private group leaders must be at least 18, and everyone operating a snowmobile must have a valid driver’s license on hand and have successfully completed the Yellowstone Snowmobile Education Certification Program. Self-guided tours are required to follow the N-CGSAP Rules and Regulations, as well as the 35 MPH speed limit. There is a $6 application fee, a $40 reservation fee after the trip has been confirmed, as well as typical park entrance fees. To apply for the lottery, which will be open until October 3, follow the link on the Recreation.gov website.

Image by alptraum/iStock