Yellowstone enters winter season; nearly all roads closed to automobiles
GILLETTE, Wyo. — Winter season is in full swing at Yellowstone National Park, which means most roads will remain closed to automobiles until the season ends in March, according to the National Park Service.
Per the NPS, most roads through Yellowstone are closed to automobiles. The only roads open year-round are between the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, and the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana.
Parkgoers should be aware of possible road closures due to quickly changing weather and dangerous driving conditions and are encouraged to check the road status map before leaving, the NPS says, adding that motorists should drive cautiously and watch out for snowplows while pedestrians should avoid stopping, standing or walking in the road.
Visitors can travel most of the park’s roads from the west, south east, and north entrances by approved commercially guided snowmobiles and snow coaches or through the non-commercially guided snowmobile access program, according to the NPS.
There is currently limited snowfall on roads in the eastern, western and northern parts of the park, which means visitors will be able to travel in the park but transportation on park roads will depend on road conditions, per the Park Service, which says park staff will work closely will all operators and provide updates as conditions change this winter season.
Winter travel will end in mid-March when plowing crews begin to clear a winter’s worth of snow, with roads beginning to reopen to automobiles in mid-April.
Services are limited during the winter months and while some lodging facilities are open, there are no open campgrounds available for the 2023–24 season. Visitors can check the Yellowstone website to see which facilities are open during their visit.
