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Yellowstone National Park
Road Construction Delays and Closures
Map of road closures in winter

Flashing black roads are closed to wheeled vehicles during the winter season.

Some park areas, entrances and roads are not accessible year-round!! From early November through late April, all roads south through the park are closed to wheeled vehicles, including the road to Old Faithful Geyser. During the winter season only two roads are plowed:

  • between the North Entrance and Cooke City, MT
  • from Mammoth Hot Springs to the parking area at the Upper Terraces
 
 
 
 

 

During the spring, summer and fall seasons, Yellowstone is reconstructing its roads, which means you will likely encounter delays. Consult the maps below as you plan your drive to minimize delays. Keep in mind, road work schedules change. Check here for 2011 Road Improvements (223 KB pdf), at our visitor centers, or entrance stations for updates for current information on road construction and possible delays.

For more road information, including what roads are open during each season, see our Operating Hours and Seasons page. Call the 24-hour Current Road Report hotline at (307) 344-2117 for the latest information on conditions affecting roads within the park.

Motorcyclists are advised to slow down and use EXTREME CAUTION on loose gravel in areas of construction.



 
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Most road construction has concluded for the summer season. There is still ongoing construction at the Lamar River Bridge on the way to the Northeast Entrance. We maintain the other maps on this page, so you can gain a sense of what construction might be happening in the park when the roads open again in the spring 2012.

 
lamar_1

Northeast Entrance Road (Lamar River Bridge)
Possible 30-minute delays, except holidays 

 

 

 


 
All Summer:

Expect Road Improvement Projects on Many of the Major Travel Routes to Yellowstone Park Entrances from Montana and Wyoming.

Projects-Chip-seal and/or fog-seal to extend road surface life. Expect 30 minute delays and pilot vehicle. Be aware of construction workers and equipment. MOTORCYCLISTS USE CAUTION.

For information about Montana Road projects, call 1-800-226-7623 or visit www.mdt511.com

For information about Wyoming Road projects call 1-888-996-7623 or visit www.wyoroad.info/

For information about all road projects in Grand Teton National Park, call 307-739-3614. The park's newspaper, Teewinot, includes a road construction map for further reference and can be found online at www.nps.gov/grte, or picked up at any park entrance station or visitor center.


 

General Information

Road construction is perennial in Yellowstone National Park. In general, park roads have either been recently repaired or reconstructed, or are scheduled for repair or reconstruction. Approximately 80% of main park roads (about 185 mi or 295 km) are in a structurally deficient state, with poor quality road bases failing under the weight, speed, and volume of modern traffic for which they were not designed. Harsh winter weather and short construction seasons provide additional challenges.

These needs are now being addressed under a 20-year, $300 million Federal Lands Highway Program for Yellowstone National Park. In addition to the major construction addressed below, park road repair crews will be working in other areas of the park throughout this and subsequent seasons. Thank you for your patience with our road construction efforts.

Other road closures or delays are possible. For current road information, call: 307-344-7381.

Additional construction zones and schedules may be announced as construction contracts are awarded.

We recommend that visitors check the following resources before traveling:

 
Map showing road construction, delays, and closures.

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Last Updated: November 29, 2011 at 10:46 MST