YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Visitor season at Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is right around the corner.
At 8 a.m. on Friday, April 17, the park’s North Entrance (in Gardiner, Montana) and West Entrance (in West Yellowstone, Montana) will open to visitors for the season, according to a Wednesday announcement by YNP. Those two entrances will provide access to areas including Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, the Lamar Valley, Norris Geyser Basin and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
The only park road open year-round is the one connecting the North and Northeast Entrances, both located in southern Montana. Other entrances and internal roads will gradually start opening over the next few weeks, with the East Entrance projected to open on May 1 and the South Entrance expected to open on May 8.
All of those projected opening dates are weather dependent, of course. Yellowstone’s dedicated park roads website details the opening and closing dates on this map:
YNP encourages visitors to be aware of variable spring conditions, noting that many trails and boardwalks remain snowy. Visitors might encounter limited services as park shops and restaurants open on a staggered schedule.
“Use caution when driving and watch for ice, snow and gravel on road surfaces,” YNP advised. “Bison, elk, bears and other wildlife use roads as travel corridors. Roadside snowbanks prevent them from easily moving off the roads. Do not crowd, harass or push wildlife. Be mindful as wildlife endure this difficult time of the year.”
Remember to stay at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves and mountain lions, and at least 25 yards away from all other animals. Carry bear spray — Yellowstone’s bears are awake and on the move.
