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Road and Construction Updates

Yellowstone Fall and Winter Road Closures

Some park areas, entrances and roads are not accessible year-round! From early November through late April, all roads south through the park are closed to wheeled vehicles, including the road to Old Faithful Geyser. You can access Yellowstone Park through the west, south, and east entrances using guided, oversnow vehicles (snowmobiles and snowcoaches) until March 15, 2012.

    • November 7—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.

    • The Beartooth Highway (Highway 212) between the junction of Highway 296 and Red Lodge, Montana is closed from the gate at Long Lake, 17 miles from the intersection of WY 296 (Sunlight Basin) and US 212; and at the Montana Stateline, 25 miles from Red Lodge. Travel between Red Lodge, Montana and the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone Park is not possible under the road re-opens in May/June 2012.

Yellowstone National Park Road Construction Projects & Updates
During the spring, summer and fall seasons, Yellowstone is reconstructing its roads, which means you will likely encounter delays. Consult your Fall Yellowstone Newspaper (received when you enter any Park gate) as you plan your drive to minimize delays. Keep in mind, road work schedules change. Motorcyclists are advised to use EXTREME CAUTION on loose gravel in areas of construction.

2011-2012 Winter Oversnow Vehicle Road Opening and Closing Schedule

Winter Opening Dates are Snow Permitting and all dates are subject to change!

  • December, 15, 2011 - Most roads open to oversnow "(Snowcoach & Snowmobile)" travel (weather and snow conditions permitting).

  • December 22, 2011 - 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 mile 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, 2012 - East Entrance to Lake Butte (Sylvan Pass.)
  • March 4 - Mammoth to Norris closes at 9 pm
  • March 6 - Norris Junction to Madison JJunction and Norris Junction to Canyon closes at 9 pm
  • March 11 - Canyon to Fishing Bridge closes at 9 pm
  • March 15, 2012 - All other groomed roads in the park are closed

Grand Teton National Park Road Updates

Grand Teton Park road updates available at (307) 739-3614

The Teton Park Road from Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain and the Moose-Wilson Road from the Death Canyon Trailhead to the Granite Canyon Trailhead are closed to motor vehicles from November 1st through April 30th. The Antelope Flats Road and Signal Mountain Road are also closed during this period. NOTE: Highway 89/191 and 26 remain open to Flagg Ranch through the winter.

Note:  Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) officials have permanently reduced the nighttime speed limit to 45 miles per hour on a section of Highway 26/89/191 is located about 4 miles north of Jackson, Wyoming . This road is open year round. In addition to being the south entrance to GTNP and park headquarters, it is also the road to the airport, to several private residences, and to the southern entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Montana Road Construction Updates

Montana Highway Updates available at (800) 226-7623 or visit www.mdt511.com

  • US Hwy 191 north of West Yellowstone (9.9 miles north) new highway construction project including bridge replacement and road re-routing. Expect heavy equipment and traffic congestion and short delays. Reduced speed to 35 MPH, single lane traffic, traffic controlled by signal lights.  Pilot cars during working hours only.

  • I-15 & 1-90 Inter-change in Butte, MT Bridge work in progress.  There is a height restriction of 15 feet, a width restriction of 10 feet.  Expect detour, reduced   speed to 55 MPH, gravel surface, single lane traffic, single lane through November 5, 2011.

Idaho Road Construction Updates

Idaho Highway Updates available at (888) 437-7623 or visit http://511.idaho.gov



Alternate Routes through Yellowstone Park (warm season only):

Alternate Routes to West Yellowstone