October 31 will be the last day for visitors to drive most of the roads in Yellowstone National Park before they close for the winter season / NPS - Jacob W. Frank
If you are planning to drive through and around Yellowstone National Park, you’d better do it by Tuesday, October 31. The West, South and East entrances and nearly all roads in will be closed to regular vehicle traffic November 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 December 15.
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 Operating Dates 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.
- Stay informed about up-to-date road conditions in Yellowstone:
- Visit Park Roads.
- 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 information about communities in Montana (Gardiner, West Yellowstone, Cooke City, and Silver Gate), visit www.visitmt.com. For information about communities in Wyoming (Cody and Jackson), visit www.wyomingtourism.org. And if your travel plans to the park take you through Idaho, visit www.visitidaho.org.
