News Release Date: October 21, 2026
Contact: Yellowstone Public Affairs, (307) 344-2015

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. – As fall settles over Yellowstone National Park, most park roads and three entrances will close to regular vehicle traffic on Nov. 1 in preparation for winter. Each year, the park closes its West, South and East entrances, along with nearly all roads, to prepare for winter operations and the start of snowmobile and snowcoach travel season on Dec. 15.   

As a result, Saturday, Oct. 31 will be the final day visitors can drive most of Yellowstone’s roads in 2026. The road from Tower Fall to Canyon Junction (Dunraven Pass) will remain open through Oct. 31, weather permitting.  

Visitors traveling to Yellowstone by car during the winter can access the park only via the road connecting the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, and the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana. This route passes through Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction and Lamar Valley and remains open year-round, weather permitting.  

Visitors planning to drive in the park during the fall and winter should be prepared for changing conditions. Before traveling: 

  • Monitor changing weather conditions and plan accordingly. 
  • Have flexible travel plans. 
  • Expect limited services. Check Operating Dates for details. 
  • Anticipate possible road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions. 
  • Check for temporary travel restrictions or closures, which can occur at any time without notice. 
  • Pack blankets and other cold weather essentials and keep your gas tank full.  
  • Stay informed about current road conditions in Yellowstone by: 
    • Visiting the Park Roads webpage. 
    • Signing up for Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions). 
    • Calling (307) 344-2117 for a recorded road conditions update.   

 Communities surrounding Yellowstone remain open year-round and offer a variety of fall and winter recreation opportunities. For information, visit the tourism websites for nearby destinations: 

  • Montana (Gardiner, West Yellowstone, Cooke City and Silver Gate) 
  • Wyoming (Cody and Jackson) 
  • Idaho (Island Park, Ashton and Idaho Falls)  

nps.gov/yell 

About the National Park Service. The National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.

Source & Attribution

Originally published by National Park Service on October 21, 2026. Original author: National Park Service.

Public domain: original U.S. National Park Service government news release. Photograph: A winter sunset at the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana. NPS / Jacob W. Frank Public domain: credited NPS government photograph.

No claim to original U.S. Government works.

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