WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. — UPDATED 6:21PM: Due to extremely heavy snow received this week in Yellowstone National Park, the park’s efforts to open interior roads by April 15 has been delayed. Crews are working to clear nearly a foot of snow and remove large drifts from storms on Tuesday, April 12. Although progress has been made, the normal opening schedule will be altered.
The park will attempt to open the West Entrance to Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris as as scheduled. However, more snow is forecasted in the park tonight with the potential for freezing rain over the weekend. The public should be prepared to alter their park travel plans depending on weather conditions which could change rapidly.
One the West Entrance is open, visitors will have access to Madison Junction, Norris Junction and Canyon Village or north to Mammoth Hot Springs. From Madison Junction, visitors can also head south to Old Faithful.
The North Entrance to the Northeast Entrance is also open.
Entrance fees will be waived on April 16 in celebration of National Park Week.
Canyon Visitor Education Center, West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center and Old Faithful Visitor Education Center open tomorrow as well.
The other entrances and roads open on the following dates:
- May 6: East Entrance to Lake Village (Sylvan Pass), Canyon Village to Lake Village
- May 11: Cooke City to Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
- May 13: South Entrance to West Thumb, Lake Village to West Thumb, West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass), Tower Junction to Tower Fall
- May 27: Tower Fall to Canyon Junction (Dunraven Pass), Beartooth Highway
Major road construction projects are scheduled throughout the summer in Yellowstone. Three major road work projects will cause delays.
