Yellowstone National Park
Closure Caution Information See 4 current alerts
Current alerts (4)
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Closure
Biscuit Basin Closed Due to Hydrothermal Explosion
The parking lot, boardwalk, and Firehole River at Biscuit Basin, located north of Old Faithful, is closed to all travel until further notice due to the possibility of another event at the site of a hydrothermal explosion that occurred July 23, 2024.
More from the park: Biscuit Basin Closed Due to Hydrothermal Explosion
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Caution
Stay Away From Bull Elk
Bull elk are fast and unpredictable this time of year and can seriously injure people. If an elk charges, run. In addition to staying at least 25 yards (23 m) away from elk and bison, always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves.
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Information
Traffic Delays - Gardner River High Bridge
Expect a single lane of traffic with up to 15-minute delays, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 through late October 2026. Oversized/overweight vehicles (8'6"+ wide, 75'+ long, 80,000 lbs+ gross vehicle weight) will not be able to cross the bridge during this time.
More from the park: Traffic Delays - Gardner River High Bridge
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Information
Vehicle Entrance Reservation Not Needed
Although an entrance pass is required to enter Yellowstone National Park, vehicle reservations are not needed. You are encouraged to purchase an entrance pass before arriving, but you may also purchase passes at any entrance station upon arrival.
Hours
All Park Hours
| Every day | All Day |
|---|
Yellowstone is open daily, year-round, although activities and services are limited at night and certain times of year. The park has five entrance stations, but not all entrance stations are open year-round. Make sure to carefully read about access at each station at different times of year. And remember, all dates are weather-dependent.
Please note that camping is possible only in designated campgrounds.
West Entrance
| Every day | All Day |
|---|
Coming up:
- Nov 1 – Dec 14: Fall Shoulder Season (closed)
Adjacent to the town of West Yellowstone, Montana, the West Entrance is usually open (weather-dependent) to wheeled vehicles from the third Friday in April through early November, and to tracked-oversnow (snowmobiles and snowcoaches) vehicles from December 15 to March 15.
North Entrance
| Every day | All Day |
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Near the gateway community of Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance is the only park entrance open to wheeled vehicles all year. November through April, the North Entrance provides the only access to Cooke City, Montana. US Highway 212 east of Cooke City is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. The road from Mammoth to Norris opens to wheeled vehicles the third Friday in April through early November, and to tracked-oversnow vehicles, conditions permitting, from December 15 to early March.
East Entrance
| Every day | All Day |
|---|
Coming up:
- Nov 1 – Dec 14: Fall Shoulder Season (closed)
Depending on the weather and conditions, this entrance usually opens to wheeled vehicles the first Friday in May and to tracked-oversnow vehicles December 22 through March 15.
South Entrance
| Every day | All Day |
|---|
Coming up:
- Nov 1 – Dec 14: Fall Shoulder Season (closed)
Open (weather-dependent) to wheeled vehicles from the second Friday in May through early November and to tracked-oversnow vehicles from December 15 to March 15. Limited services are available near the South Entrance.
Northeast Entrance
| Every day | All Day |
|---|
Near the gateway communities of Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana, this entrance is open year around for wheeled vehicle access to Cooke City through Gardiner, Montana. US Highway 212 east of Cooke City is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. Opening dates for roads east of Cooke City vary from year to year, depending on the weather. The Beartooth Highway is open from late May/early June (weather dependent) to mid October.
Visitor centers
Albright Visitor Center Today: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Albright Visitor Center
Today: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (Fall Hours, Sep 8 – Oct 31)
Usual hours
| Every day | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
|---|
Coming up:
- Nov 1 – Feb 28: Winter Hours
Albright Visitor Center is located in the northern part of the park near the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces. Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Canyon Visitor Education Center Today: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Canyon Visitor Education Center
Today: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (October Hours, Oct 4 – Oct 31)
Usual hours
| Every day | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
|---|
Coming up:
- Nov 1 – Dec 14: Winter Closure (closed)
- Dec 15 – Mar 9: Winter Warming Hut
Canyon Visitor Education Center is located north of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Visitor center page on nps.gov: Canyon Visitor Education Center
Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum Closed today
Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum
Today: Closed (Winter Closure, Oct 4 – May 16)
Usual hours
| Every day | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
|---|
Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Visitor center page on nps.gov: Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum
Grant Visitor Center Closed today
Grant Visitor Center
Today: Closed (Winter Closure, Oct 4 – May 16)
Usual hours
| Every day | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
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Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app. Visitor center opening date subject to change. Check locally if in the park. Check back frequently for updates.
Madison Information Station and Trailside Museum Closed today
Madison Information Station and Trailside Museum
Today: Closed (Winter Closure, Sep 13 – May 30)
Usual hours
| Every day | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
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Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app. Information Station, Trailside Museum, and bookstore are open during the listed hours. A uniformed NPS staff person may not always be present.
Visitor center page on nps.gov: Madison Information Station and Trailside Museum
Museum of the National Park Ranger Closed today
Museum of the National Park Ranger
Today: Closed (Seasonal Closure, Sep 8 – Jun 11)
Usual hours
| Every day | 10:00AM - 4:00PM |
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Once a US Army outpost built in 1908, this visitor center houses exhibits that celebrate the history of the park ranger profession. The current structure replaced previous structures dating back to 1884.
Visitor center page on nps.gov: Museum of the National Park Ranger
Norris Geyser Basin Museum and Information Station Closed today
Norris Geyser Basin Museum and Information Station
Today: Closed (Winter Closure, Oct 4 – May 16)
Usual hours
| Every day | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
|---|
Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Visitor center page on nps.gov: Norris Geyser Basin Museum and Information Station
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
| Every day | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
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Coming up:
- Nov 1 – Dec 14: November/December Closure (closed)
Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Visitor center page on nps.gov: Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
West Thumb Information Station Closed today
West Thumb Information Station
Today: Closed (Winter Closure, Oct 4 – May 16)
Usual hours
| Every day | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
|---|
Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Visitor center page on nps.gov: West Thumb Information Station
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (NPS Desk) Today: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (NPS Desk)
Today: 8:00AM - 5:00PM (October Hours, Oct 4 – Oct 31)
Usual hours
| Every day | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
|---|
Coming up:
- Nov 1 – Dec 14: Fall Closure (closed)
- Dec 15 – Mar 15: Winter Hours
Park information may be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor information center, with rangers stationed outside the visitor information center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Visitor center page on nps.gov: West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (NPS Desk)
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (Chamber of Commerce Desk) Today: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (Chamber of Commerce Desk)
Today: 8:00AM - 5:00PM (Winter Hours, Oct 2 – May 26)
Usual hours
| Every day | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
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Open daily, mid-April through September, and open weekdays, early November through mid-April.