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 to automobiles 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

• Most park roads closed to automobiles November 2 at 8 am and will begin reopening April 16, 2021. The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana through the park to Cooke City, Montana is open year-round.
• 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). Anticipate possible road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions.
• 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. Construction has started on a new entrance station at the North Entrance. Expect delays. Anticipated project completion: Late summer 2021.
• Check road conditions in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Grand Teton National Park before traveling.
• Beartooth Highway is closed for the season and the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (WY-296) is open. The segment of the Beartooth Highway (US-212) between Cooke City and Pilot Creek is not maintained. Travel at your own risk after November 2. Check WY DOT and MT DOT before traveling.

 

2020-2021 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)

2021 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 7: Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris.
• March 9: Norris to Madison and Norris to Canyon Village.
• March 14: Canyon Village to Fishing Bridge.
• March 15: All remaining groomed roads close.

2021 Spring Opening Dates

Conditions permitting roads will open at 8 am on the following dates:

• April 16: West Entrance to Madison Junction, Mammoth Hot Springs to Old Faithful, Norris to Canyon Village.
• May 7: East Entrance to Lake Village (Sylvan Pass), Canyon Village to Lake Village.
• May 7: Tower Junction to Calcite Springs.
• May 14: South Entrance to West Thumb, Lake Village to West Thumb, West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass), Tower Junction to Tower Fall.
• May 28: Beartooth Highway

2021 Fall Closing Dates

Roads will close to regular (public) vehicles on the following dates.

• October 11: Beartooth Highway (US 212 to Red Lodge, Montana).
• November 8: All roads close at 8 am except the road between the North Entrance and the Northeast Entrance.

 

Construction Projects Affecting Roads

2021 Projects

Tower-Roosevelt to Chittenden Road

The road between Tower-Roosevelt and Chittenden Road will be completely closed until May 2022. (In 2021, the full closure will be between Tower Fall and Chittenden Road.) Specific areas on each side of this closure will be open for select time periods:

• On the Canyon Village side of the closure: Currently closed; no estimate on reopening. Trails to the top of Mount Washburn are also closed.
• On the Tower-Roosevelt side of the closure: Closed all of 2021. Tower Fall, the Tower General Store, Tower Fall Campground, and Calcite Springs will be open and accessible from Tower-Roosevelt between June 4–September 26, 2021. In the winters, Tower Fall and trails in the vicinity will be open for skis and snowshoes, snow-permitting, from early November through March (follow all closure signage posted at Tower-Roosevelt). Traffic from Tower-Roosevelt will be turned around at Calcite Springs May 7–June 4, 2021; and September 26–November 8, 2021. There will be no access to the trails for Mount Washburn from the Tower-Roosevelt side of the closure.

North Entrance

Expect construction and traffic pattern changes around the North Entrance. The entrance station will remain open. This project started in 2020 and will take two years to complete.

For additional details about these projects, please go to Road Construction.