Park Roads

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Yellowstone has five entrance stations, the North Entrance, Northeast Entrance, East Entrance, South Entrance and the West Entrance. It takes many hours to drive between these entrances, so be sure to check the status of roads at the entrance you intend to use. Most park roads are closed to regular vehicles from early November to late-April (see dates below) when the park switches to oversnow travel (snowmobiles and snowcoaches). The only road open year-round is from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through the park to Cooke City, Montana (via Tower Junction). Travel east of Cooke City (via the Beartooth Highway) is not possible from late fall to late May. All dates listed below are subject to change depending on weather and budgetary restrictions.

The map below shows the status of park roads and road construction. Click on a road segment or colored icon for more detailed information. Conditions in Yellowstone can change quickly, especially during spring and fall. Updates to this map may be delayed, so check back often. Short-term road closures and delays may not be shown on this map.

 

 

Current Road Status

• All roads in the park are open. Open roads may close temporarily due to inclement weather and other reasons.
• For up-to-date information consult the map above, call [phone] for recorded information, or sign up to receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting "82190" to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).
• Open roads are not gated at night: people may enter/exit the park 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Check our webcams to see current traffic conditions at the North and West entrances.
• Check road conditions in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Grand Teton National Park before traveling.
• The Beartooth Highway (US-212) is open. Check MT DOT and WY DOT before traveling. Anticipate possible temporary road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions.
• Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (US-296) is open.

2019 Fall Closing Dates

Roads will close to regular (public) vehicles at 8:00 am on the following dates. Colors listed after the dates correspond to the colors on the 2019 Spring Opening and Fall Closing map.

• October 15 (Purple): Tower Fall to Canyon (Dunraven Pass), Beartooth Highway (US 212 to Red Lodge, Montana).
• November 4 (Blue, Yellow, and Orange): All roads close at 8 am except the road between the North Entrance and the Northeast Entrance.

 

 

2019 Construction

Canyon Village Area

• May to October 16: Brink of the Upper Falls Road and Overlook closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the Canyon Overlooks and Trails Restoration Project.

Fishing Bridge to Indian Pond (East Entrance Road)

• 2019 season: expect 30-minute delays (starting June 10 expect short delays for night work) along the East Entrance Road between Fishing Bridge and Indian Pond (excluding holidays*). Drive slowly through road construction and be alert to workers, heavy equipment, wildlife and other hazards.

Norris to Mammoth

• April 19 to October 16: expect 30-minute delays between Roaring Mountain and Apollinaris Spring (excluding holidays*). Drive slowly through road construction and be alert to workers, heavy equipment, wildlife and other hazards.

*Holidays include Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4–7), and Labor Day.

Chip Sealing
Chip sealing helps to preserve Yellowstone's roads and takes place every summer when it is warm enough for the application. Check the park's live road map at the top of this page to see where chip sealing is scheduled to occur and plan for delays of up 30 minutes. Dates can change due to weather. Drive slowly and maintain the recommended speed limit on chip seal pavement to reduce the risk of loose gravel damaging cars or windshields.

2019-2020 Winter Opening Dates

Conditions permitting, roads will open to oversnow travel by snowmobile and snowcoach at 8 am on the following dates:

• December 15: West Entrance to Old Faithful, Mammoth to Old Faithful, Canyon to Norris, Canyon to Lake, Old Faithful to West Thumb, South Entrance to Lake, Lake to Lake Butte Overlook.
• December 22: East Entrance to Lake Butte Overlook (Sylvan Pass)

2020 Winter Closing Dates

Roads will close to oversnow travel by snowmobile and snowcoach at 9 pm on the following dates:

• March 1: East Entrance to Lake Butte Overlook (Sylvan Pass).
• March 8: Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris.
• March 10: Norris to Madison, Norris to Canyon Village.
• March 10: Canyon Village to Fishing Bridge.
• March 15: All remaining groomed roads close.

2020 Spring Opening Dates

Conditions permitting, roads will open to regular (public) vehicles at 8:00 am on the following dates. Colors listed after the dates correspond to the colors on the 2020 Spring Opening and Fall Closing map.

• April 17 (Blue): West Entrance to Madison Junction, Mammoth Hot Springs to Old Faithful, Norris to Canyon Village.
• May 1 (Yellow): East Entrance to Lake Village (Sylvan Pass), Canyon Village to Lake Village.
• May 8 (Orange): South Entrance to West Thumb, Lake Village to West Thumb, West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass), Tower Junction to Tower Fall.
• May 22 (Purple): Tower Fall to Canyon Village (Dunraven Pass)
• May 22: Beartooth Highway