In the spring, when the roads are plowed and vehicle travel is closed, visitors may hike, bike, or rollerblade the park roads from Mammoth to Norris, from Norris to Madison, and from Madison to the West Entrance. The opening dates, however, vary depending on factors such as road plowing, snow and ice removal, and the weather. The South Entrance opens three weeks after the West Entrance opens.The East Entrance opens two weeks after the opening of the West Entrance.The gates for West Entrance usually open on the Third Friday of April at 8:00 AM.The Northeast Entrance is closed throughout the winter.Visitors may have to experience temporary closures due to bad weather or other unforeseeable conditions. In winters, vehicles can only get through the snow-packed roads with the help of snow tires and chains sometimes. The North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana is open 24/7 for the whole year. All other entrances open seasonally in different parts of the year.

But be mindful that out of a total of 5 entrances to the park, only one entrance is open for the public for 365 days a year. Yellowstone National Park is open for the public all year round. When Does Yellowstone Open Its Gate to the Public? There are smaller populations of brown (grizzly) bears, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, mountain goats, moose, and Bobcats. Treat your eyes with over 1,350 species of flowering plants spread all across the area while you walk in between animals such as elk (wapiti), mule deer, black bears, foxes, and coyotes. The Yellowstone Falls are sure to take your breath away. Several lakes and rivers inside the vast area add to the beauty of the park. The steam vents, colorful hot pools, mud cauldrons, hot springs, and geysers are a breathtaking sight to watch. Yellowstone is a volcanically and seismically active area, with a major region of the park consisting of broad volcanic plateaus. UNESCO declared the park as a biosphere reserve in 1976 and a World Heritage site in 1978. While the majority consider Yellowstone National Park to be the first-ever national park on the globe, some naturalists have come forward with evidence that Bogd Khan Mountain National Park situated in Mongolia, was established in 1778. Congress established it as the first national park of the United States. The park dates back to 1st March 1872 when the U.S. The premises of the park, however, extend to southern Montana and eastern Idaho too. Yellowstone National Park, undoubtedly the best, and arguably the oldest national park, is a mesmerizing territory of the states that lies in northwestern Wyoming. For information about communities in Montana (Gardiner, West Yellowstone, Cooke City, and Silver Gate), visit For information about Wyoming communities (Cody and Jackson), visit And if your travel plans to the park take you through Idaho, visit better than starting by visiting a place that displays the wonders of nature at its best and also holds a historical significance. Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).Īll communities near Yellowstone are open year-round, with local businesses offering a wide range of fall and winter recreation opportunities.Call (307) 344-2117 for recorded information.Temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice.Anticipate possible road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions.Check Operating Hours and Seasons for details.This time of year, most services are open in Mammoth Hot Springs and closed elsewhere in the park.Prepare for changing weather conditions.If you plan to drive in the park during the fall and winter: Travel east of Cooke City is not possible from late fall to spring because a segment of US 212 (Beartooth Highway) between Cooke City and Pilot Creek is closed to vehicle travel. This road is open all year, weather-permitting.

The one exception is the road from the park’s North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs to the Northeast Entrance and communities of Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana. The park annually closes roads in early November to prepare them for the winter season and snowmobile and snowcoach travel, which will begin Wednesday, December 15. The West, South and East entrances and all roads, with one exception, will close to vehicle travel at 12:01 a.m.

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – This weekend, November 6-7, provides the last chance for visitors to drive to many iconic locations in Yellowstone.

Roads yellowstone open