YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Due to expected winter weather and hazardous driving conditions in Yellowstone National Park over the next few days, visitors should anticipate temporary road closures and driving delays.

Closures can occur anywhere in the park, snow accumulations are most likely to happen on the high mountain passes. In anticipation of hazardous driving conditions, Tower Junction to Canyon Junction (Dunraven Pass) and West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass) are closed as of 8 a.m. this morning. Old Faithful will remain open.

Visitors should plan for alternative travel routes should additional park roads close temporarily due to expected winter weather.

Yellowstone is coordinating with Montana and Wyoming and a seven-mile section of road between Cooke City and the Pilot Creek Trailhead (known locally as the plug) will be plowed, if necessary, until the Old Gardiner Road is completed. This will ensure continued access to the communities of Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana.

Visitors can stay informed on Yellowstone road alerts by texting “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).

Toby Koekkoek is a Community News Reporter, and a recent resident of Teton Valley. He enjoys writing about our region's community events and the movers and shakers that make up the culture of this unique mountain town. He enjoys deep powder, and deep thoughts, skateboarding, playing racquet sports, riding his bike, and nerding out on music. Toby also coaches freeride skiing for the Jackson Hole Ski Club and runs skateboard camps in the summer.