Yellowstone: Plan Your Route Before the November 1 Road Closures
Most Yellowstone roads and three entrances close to cars on November 1, 2026, so factor the closures into your visit.
If you're planning a Yellowstone visit from October 21, 2026, onward, keep this key date in mind. Most roads will close to cars on November 1, 2026. If your stay spans October and November, we recommend reviewing your travel plans to account for this seasonal change.
The closures include the park's West, South and East entrances. If you plan to arrive through one of these entrances on or after November 1, you'll need to adjust that part of your itinerary. The change also affects nearly all roads inside the park, so choosing a different entrance isn't enough to prepare your route.
We recommend reviewing your itinerary step by step. First, identify your planned entrance, then the roads you'll need to reach the places you want to see. To work those routes into your stay, consult the Yellowstone National Park guide. The goal is to build an itinerary that works during this transition to winter.
Keep another date in mind. The snowmobile and snowcoach travel season begins December 15. That's when the park says winter travel will begin. It doesn't mean roads will reopen to cars throughout the park.
Between these two dates, we recommend against using a fall driving itinerary for a winter stay. The park suspends regular vehicle traffic to prepare for winter operations. For your trip, choose your dates based on how you plan to explore, then check the access you'll need before finalizing your route.