Park Roads

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Yellowstone has five entrance stations. 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 mid-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 spring. 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

• Not all park roads are open. 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 may close temporarily due to inclement weather and other reasons.
• 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.
• Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (US-296) is open for the season.
• Beartooth Highway (US-212) is closed for the season.

2018 Construction

Norris to Mammoth (Roaring Mountain to Willow Park)

• 2018 season: expect 30-minute delays during the 2018 season (excluding holidays*). Construction zone includes sections of unpaved road: motorcyclists should use extreme caution or consider alternate routes.

Canyon Village Area

• 2018 season: some destinations unavailable as part of the Canyon Overlooks and Trails Restoration Project.

Fishing Bridge to Sedge Bay (East Entrance Road)

• October 15 to November 5: full closure of Fishing Bridge over the Yellowstone River. East Entrance Road will remain open as far as Sedge Bay, which is 19 miles from the East Entrance. People needing to travel through Yellowstone to or from Cody, Wyoming and beyond will need to use the Northeast Entrance during this closure.

Mount Washburn

• Mount Washburn trails and trailheads are closed for the 2018 season due to construction projects.

*Holidays include Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.

2018 Fall Closing Dates

Roads will close to regular (public) vehicles at 8:00 am on the following dates:

• October 5: Beartooth Highway
• October 15: Full closure of Fishing Bridge over the Yellowstone River due to a construction project (see details above).
• November 5*: Tower Fall to Canyon (Dunraven Pass). *May close earlier if weather makes it impossible to maintain.
• November 5: All roads close at 8 am except the road between the North Entrance and the Northeast Entrance.

2018-2019 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)

2019 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 3: Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris.
• March 5: Norris to Madison, Norris to Canyon Village.
• March 10: Canyon Village to Fishing Bridge.
• March 15: All remaining groomed roads close.

2019 Spring Opening Dates

Conditions permitting, roads will open to regular (public) vehicles at 8:00 am on the following dates:

• April 19: West Entrance to Madison Junction, Mammoth Hot Springs to Old Faithful, Norris to Canyon Village.
• May 3: East Entrance to Lake Village (Sylvan Pass), Canyon Village to Lake Village.
• May 10: South Entrance to West Thumb, Lake Village to West Thumb, West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass), Tower Junction to Tower Fall.
• May 24: Tower Fall to Canyon Village (Dunraven Pass)
• May 24: Beartooth Highway