JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Beginning tomorrow, Yellowstone National Park is closed to vehicle travel so preparations can be made to make the roads ready for the winter season and snowmobile and snowcoach travel. The winter season gets underway December 15, 2018.
The West, South, and East entrances and all roads will close to vehicle travel at 8am Monday, November 5 in preparations for winter.
The one exception is the road from the park’s North entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs to the park’s Northeast entrance and the communities of Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana. This road is open all year, weather permitting. Travel east of Cooke City (via the Beartooth Highway) is not possible from late fall to late spring.
Anyone with plans to drive to and in the park during the fall and winter, please remember to have flexible travel plans and prepare for changing weather conditions. Winter in Yellowstone is like few places most have ever experienced. Temperatures can get extremely cold and snow can make travel virtually impossible at times.
Temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice. Visit Park Roads for the status of Yellowstone roads. Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone, text “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).
Extensive information for planning a winter visit in Yellowstone, including information about lodging, camping, services, and activities, is available on the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/yell.
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.wyomingtourism.org.
