The end of the season is in sight at Yellowstone, as most of the major roads and entrances will close next Monday, November 2.
The weekend of Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 will be the last of the “summer” season in the park. As in every year, the West, South, and East entrances will be closed at 8 a.m. on Nov 2.
In addition to the increasingly cold, snowy weather making roads treacherous, the closure allows the park to prepare for the winter season and snowmobile and snowcoach travel, which begins thru all of Yellowstone’s gates by Dec. 15.
Park officials have an open comment period for a proposal to open the East Gate earlier in the winter season. This would add a few more days to the beginning and end of the over-snow season for the East Gate and Cody.
The only entrances that will remain open – as they always do – is the North Entrance at Gardiner and the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City. These gates and the road between them are the only park routes that remain open all year, weather permitting.
All of Yellowstone’s gateway communities – Cody, Jackson, West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Cooke City – are open year-round, with local businesses offering a wide range of fall and winter recreation opportunities in addition to their own over-snow options for entering the park.
There have already been periodic closures of many parts of Yellowstone’s Grand Loop road over the past few weeks due to snowy weather. Other regional highlights, such as the Beartooth Highway, have already closed for the season.
If you plan to take advantage of this final weekend and venture into the park, it’s important to have flexible travel plans and prepare for sudden changes in the weather. Temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice.
Visit Park Roads for the status of Yellowstone roads. Call (307) 344-2117 for recorded information or get direct road alerts on your phone by texting “82190” to 888-777.
