Most entrances and roads in Yellowstone National Park will be closed Nov. 1

Posted 10/26/23

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Most entrances and roads in Yellowstone National Park will be closed Nov. 1

Beginning Nov. 1, Yellowstone will close all entrances except the North Entrance, which remains open year round, for the season. The park opens to over-snow travel by snowmobile and snowcoach at 8 a.m. on Dec. 15.

Photo by Jacob W. Frank/NPS

Posted Thursday, October 26, 2023 8:10 am

The West, South and East entrances and nearly all roads in Yellowstone will be closed to regular vehicle traffic Nov. 1. The park annually closes roads at this time of year to prepare them for the winter season and snowmobile and snowcoach travel, which will begin Dec. 15. The last day for visitors to drive most park roads will be Tuesday, Oct. 31, according to a park release, unless the roads are already closed due to winter weather.

The only roads open year-round are between the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, and the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana (via Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction and Lamar Valley).

Visitors planning to drive in the park during the fall and winter should:

Prepare for changing weather conditions.

Have flexible travel plans.

Expect limited services. Check the Operating Dates webpage for details: nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/operating-dates.htm

Anticipate possible road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions. Temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice.

Stay informed about up-to-date road conditions in Yellowstone:

Visit go.nps.gov/YELLroads.

Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions). Call (307) 344-2117 for a recorded message.

All communities near Yellowstone are open year-round, with local businesses offering a wide range of fall and winter recreation opportunities. For more information, visit: go.nps.gov/23039.