Park Update
Yellowstone National Park
The North Entrance to Northeast Entrance at Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana is open all year. Please note that this road is closed to east/west travel just east of Cooke City from late fall to early spring.
ALL OTHER ROADS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. THE WEST ENTRANCE TO THE PARK WILL RE-OPEN TO MOTORIZED VEHICLES ON FRIDAY APRIL 20TH @8:00AM
Latest Updates and useful information.
Winter Use EIS
We would like to welcome Dan Wenk, Yellowstone’s new Superintendent. Dan began working in Yellowstone in 1979. After serving as Superintendant of Mount Rushmore National Memorial for 16 years and Deputy Director of Operations for the Park service in Washington D.C. he is returning to his old stomping grounds as Superintendant.
The general impression of the Preferred Alternative was one of great concern. As a result of the feedback received during the comment period, we have been assured that major changes to the alternative will be take place. While it is too early to know what those changes are, we feel they will be positive changes when the final Record of Decision is issued, in time for the 2012-13 winter season.
As a result, this coming winter will be a transition year and will be identical to the same stipulations that were in place last year.
We will update this page as and when new information is made available.
The important thing is that the Park will be open this year to snowmobiles, snowcoaches, cross country skiing and snowshoes. The same restrictions will apply this year as last. There is plenty of space available. Give us a call for any of your winter needs, complete packages or individual snowmobiles rentals, snowcoaches, lodging etc. We are celebrating our 40th year showing people the beauties of Yellowstone. We hope you will come and celebrate with us.
Spring Road Openings:
The approximate dates that roads will open to motorized, wheeled vehicles are as follows:
April 20, 2012 – The west side roads open, Visitors will be alb ego travel through the North & West Entrances to Canyon, Norris, Madison & Old Faithful
May 4, 2012— The road linking Canyon, Fishing Bridge, & the East Entrance opens to wheeled vehicles.
May 11, 2012—Travel from the South Entrance to Grant, West Thumb, Fishing Bridge, & Lake over Craig Pass to Old Faithful open to wheeled vehicles. Also, Tower to Tower Fall opens to wheeled vehicles. The road from Cooke City over Colter Pass to the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway intersection to the Long Lake gate shall open as soon thereafter as possible.
May 25, 2012—Long Lake Gate over the Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge, Montana. For information on the Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge, Montana, which usually opens the Friday before the Memorial Day Holiday weekend.
PLEASE NOTE – All these dates are subject to Weather permitting
Travelers in Montana may dial 511; those outside Montana may call 1-800-226-7623, or visit the Montana Department of Transportation website.
Additionally in the spring, before park roads open to motorized vehicles, some roads are open to non-motorized recreational vehicles such as bicycles, roller skis, and roller blades. There will be some administrative vehicles traveling the roads at this time so be careful.
Summer:
The summer season runs from approximately mid-April to the beginning of November.
Park Areas, Entrances and Roads open on different dates and are dependent on weather condition. Once an Entrance/Road opens, it is open 24 hours a day. The only exceptions are caused by road construction and weather-related restrictions.
Fall:
October 9, 2012—Roads close to the public at Tower Fall to Canyon Jct. and Long Lake via Beartooth Pass to the Montana Stateline. (GATES CLOSE AT 8 A.M.).
November 4, 2012—all park roads closed to the public at 8 a.m. except from the North Entrance to Upper Mammoth Terrace, and Mammoth via Tower Junction to Northeast Entrance. Cooke City via Colter Pass to the Long Lake gate is not maintained for wheeled vehicle travel.
Fall weather is unpredictable; roads may be closed temporarily by snow or other weather conditions. Snow tires or chains may be required. Please Note: The section of the Beartooth Highway (Highway 212), between the junction of Highway 296 and Red Lodge, Montana, closes in winter on a schedule determined by amount of snowfall. Travel between Red Lodge and the Northeast Entrance is not possible on Highway 212 until it opens again in the spring.
Winter:
2012-2013 Winter Oversnow Vehicle Road Opening and Closing Schedule
Winter Opening Dates are Snow Permitting and all dates are subject to change
December 15, 2012—Most roads open to oversnow travel (weather and snow conditions permitting).
December 22, 2012 - East Entrance Road (between East Entrance and Fishing Bridge) opens to oversnow travel.
Only two park roads are plowed in the winter and remain open for wheeled-vehicle use:
The road between the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, to the Northeast Entrance at Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana.
From Mammoth Hot Springs to the parking area at the Upper Terraces (approximately 1/2 mi. of road)
They are maintained only during daylight hours and may close during severe storms. Expect snowpack, ice, frost heaves, drifts. Mud/Snow tires or tire chains may be required and are recommended always. Speed limit for all vehicles is 45 mph (73 kph), or lower where posted—such as from North Entrance to Mammoth. Do not stop on the road or block traffic when viewing wildlife or scenery. Use pullouts. Trails and overlooks may be snow-covered, icy, and dangerous. Obey all trail closures. Walk cautiously at all times and watch your children.
Oversnow travel ends in March. Roads close at 9 PM on the days listed:
March 1, 2013—East Entrance to Lake Butte (Sylvan Pass.)
March 4: Mammoth to Norris
March 6: Madison to Norris to Canyon
March 11: Canyon to Fishing Bridge
March 15, 2013—All other groomed roads in the park are closed.
Closing dates are subject to change
We recommend that visitors check the following resources before traveling:
National Weather Service forecast for Yellowstone and Grand Teton
WYDOT Road Information 888-WYO-ROAD
M-DOT Road Information 800-226-7623
2012 free access days
The National Park Service have designated the following dates in 2012 for Free access into the Park:
* April 21 to 29 (National Park Week)
* June 9 (Get Outdoors Day)
* September 29 (National Public Lands Day)