2023 Road Info for Yellowstone National Park
Here in Livingston, Montana, we are lucky to live near Yellowstone’s North Entrance. From Gardiner, you can access the park year-round passing by the historic Roosevelt Arch (constructed in 1903). Throughout the winter months, visitors to the park can explore Mammoth Hot Springs, go XC skiing on numerous nearby trails or travel through the Lamar Valley in search of wolves.
Roosevelt Arch at Yellowstone’s North Entrance
After historic flooding in June of 2022, the roadway between Gardiner, MT and Mammoth, WY was destroyed. Visitors now travel over a newly constructed road that was originally established as an 1880s stagecouch route. The new road winds through open sagebrush hillsides, affording more sweeping and dramatic views of the northernmost sections of Yellowstone National Park.
Read on below for essential opening and closing dates for the park’s primary roadways. Stay informed and always check the road conditions on the park’s website before heading out on your adventure!
2023 Winter Closing Dates
Roads will close to oversnow travel by snowmobile and snowcoach at 9pm on the following dates:
March 5th: Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris
March 7th: Norris to Madison and Norris to Canyon Village
March 12th: Canyon Village to Fishing Bridge
March 15th: All remaining groomed roads close
2023 Spring Opening Dates
Roads will open at 8am on the following dates (conditions permitting):
April 21st: West Entrance to Madison Junction, Mammoth Hot Springs to Old Faithful, Norris to Canyon Village
May 5th: East Entrance to Lake Village (Sylvan Pass), Canyon Village to Lake Village
May 12th: South Entrance to West Thumb, Lake Village to West Thumb, West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass), Tower Junction to Tower Fall
May 26th: Tower Fall to Canyon Junction (Dunraven Pass), Beartooth Highway (US-212)*
TBD: Between Cooke City, MT, on US-212 to Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296)*
*Scroll to the bottom for more info on roads outside of the park’s Northeast Entrance (Silver Gate / Cooke City).
Bison in Yellowstone National Park
2023 Fall Closing Dates
Roads will close to public vehicle traffic on the following dates:
October 10th: The Beartooth Highway (US-212) between Red Lodge, Montana, and Cooke City, Montana.
November 1st: All remaining roads will be closed except the road between the North Entrance and the Northeast Entrance.
Travel east of Cooke City, Montana, on US-212 to Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296) is possible until early November. Check at WY DOT.
Roads Beyond the Northeast Entrance
After an initial opening, weather causes occasional closures. Be sure to check local road conditions in the areas where you plan on traveling — Montana DOT and Wyoming DOT.
Beartooth Highway
US-212, Cooke City to Red Lodge, Montana
Opens the Friday of Memorial Day weekend to mid-October.
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
WY-296, Cooke City, Montana, to Cody, Wyoming, or Laurel, Montana
Open year-round to from WY-120 to Pilot Creek Parking Lot (4 miles toward Cooke City from the junction of WY-296/US-212). In winter, 9 miles of road are closed to wheeled vehicles (oversnow travel only) from Cooke City to Pilot Creek. This segment of road is open to wheeled vehicles mid-May through early November. Please check local road conditions at Wyoming DOT.
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway between Cookie City, Montana and Cody, Wyoming
If you’re considering a long road trip as you explore Yellowstone Country, check out our campervans for true convenience in the backcountry. We stock all your essentials so you can focus on the wildlife and vistas around every bend!
