Yellowstone National Park Road Conditions & Closures

Yellowstone Road Reports

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GENERAL ROAD CONDITIONS

Most of the three million people who visit Yellowstone each year come during summer. However, more people are discovering the pleasure of exploring Yellowstone in the "off seasons"--spring, fall and winter. Yellowstone is a year round park, but travel should be planned with consideration of the conditions you will likely encounter.

Winter
The winter season of snomobile and snowcoach travel runs from the third Wednesday in December until early March. All roads and entrances, with one exception, are closed to motor vehicle travel and are groomed for oversnow vehicles. The exception is the North Entrance and the road from Gardiner, MT, through the Northeast Entrance to Cooke City, MT, which is open only to wheeled vehicles. Plowing stops at Cooke City, so you must return to the North Entrance to leave the park.

Spring
Plowing begins in early March. Depending on weather, the first stretches of road to open to motor vehicles include Mammoth-Norris, Norris-Madison, and West Yellowstone-Old Faithful; these roads open in mid-April. Roads on the east and south sides of the park, including East and South Entrances, typically open in early May. The Sunlight Basin Road, between Cooke City, MT and Cody, WY and Craig Pass, between Old Faithful and West Thumb, open by early May as conditions allow. Dunraven Pass, between Tower and Canyon Junctions, and the Beartooth Highway, connecting Cooke City to Red Lodge, MT generally open by Memorial Day weekend. Weather can especially affect road openings over the higher passes. Spring storms may cause restrictions or temporary closures on some roads.

Summer
Park roads are generally open for travel, barring accidents, rock/mud slides or road construction. Please see the Road Construction Delays and Closures link below.

Fall
Storms may cause temporary restrictions (snow tire or chain requirements) or closures of park roads. Road reconstruction projects are underway in Yellowstone resulting in some closures of major sections of road (See Road Information Page). The Beartooth Highway, connecting Cooke City to Red Lodge, MT closes for the season in mid-October. Depending on weather, park roads close for the season on the first Monday of November. The only exception is the year round road from Gardiner to Cooke City, MT. The winter season of snowmobile and snowcoach travel begins in mid-December.

Trip Checklist

• Barring road construction, most park roads are open to automobiles from about May 1 to the first Sunday in November; please plan with this in mind.
• Make lodging reservations as early as possible.
• Plan your arrival to secure your campsite early in the day.
• Review park regulation and permit information before your arrival.
• Pack clothes that can be layered and that are appropriate for the season of your visit.
• Get up-to-date road and weather information close to your time of visit by calling (307) 344-7381.
  

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