The news story about entrance and winter road closures in Yellowstone is based on a November 1, 2021, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here.
UPDATE: Due to severe winter weather, Yellowstone National Park has closed almost all of its roads and entrances as of 7 p.m. Saturday, November 6, the park announced on its Facebook page. As the story below mentions, the intended winter road closure in Yellowstone was Monday, November 8, but this inclement weather has forced park management to implement closures a bit sooner.
After a summer that saw many visitation records broken, Yellowstone National Park now prepares for the long winter season. This weekend, November 6 and 7, is the last time this year visitors can drive to many of the most iconic places in Yellowstone.
On Monday, November 8, vehicle access to famous locations like Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Grand Prismatic Spring and Norris will be suspended.
After this weekend, the park’s West, South and East entrances will all close for winter. With only one exception, all Yellowstone National Park roads will also close to private vehicle traffic.
Almost All Roads in Yellowstone Closed on November 8
Each year, America’s oldest national park closes its roads sometime in early-November to get them ready for the winter season and snowmobile and snowcoach travel. The latter will start on Wednesday, December 15.
The only road in Yellowstone National Park that remains open throughout the year, weather-permitting, is the one that traverses the northern part of the park. This road runs from the North Entrance in Gardiner through Mammoth Hot Springs and across the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley to the Northeast Entrance and the communities of Cooke City and Silver Gate.
Note, however, that the road east of Cooke City, a section of the popular Beartooth Highway, is also closed from late-fall to spring.
The National Park Service offers the following tips to visitors who plan to drive in the park in fall and winter:
- Prepare for changing weather conditions.
- Have flexible travel plans.
- Expect limited services.
- This time of year, most services are open in Mammoth Hot Springs and closed elsewhere in the park.
- Check Operating Hours and Seasons for details.
- Anticipate possible road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions.
- Temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice.
Visitors are encouraged to watch the weather forecast and check road conditions before traveling into Yellowstone. You can check Yellowstone road conditions here:
- Visit Park Roads
- Call (307) 344-2117 for recorded information.
- Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).
Communities Around Yellowstone Are Open Throughout the Year
All communities near Yellowstone are open year-round, with local businesses offering a wide range of fall and winter recreation opportunities.
- For information about communities in Montana (Gardiner, West Yellowstone, Cooke City and Silver Gate), visit www.visitmt.com.
- For information about Wyoming communities (Cody and Jackson), visit www.travelwyoming.com.
- If your travel plans to the Yellowstone National Park take you through Idaho, visit www.visitidaho.org.