NP.GUIDE / FIELD GUIDE / FALL 2026
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Conditions change. Follow signs and ranger orders.
Yellowstone is open. Most park roads close to regular vehicles after Oct 31 (NPS projected dates); only the North Entrance–Northeast Entrance road (Gardiner to Cooke City) stays open to cars all winter. The Beartooth Highway is closed for the season. Biscuit Basin and Firehole Lake Drive are closed, the Gardner River High Bridge has one lane through late October, and fire danger is high. Stay 25 yards from elk and bison and 100 yards from bears and wolves.
Firehole River Bridge south of Old Faithful: up to 15-minute delays in October. Yellowstone River Bridge near Tower Junction: up to 30-minute delays through November. NPS road incidents list Firehole Lake Drive as closed to vehicles.
Bull elk are fast and unpredictable this time of year and can seriously injure people. Keep at least 25 yards away. If an elk charges, run.
Most park roads and the West, South, and East entrances close Nov 1. Only the North Entrance to Northeast Entrance road stays open all year, weather permitting. Snowmobile and snowcoach travel starts December 15. Call (307) 344-2117 or text 82190 to 888-777 for updates.
The Biscuit Basin parking lot, boardwalk, and Firehole River are closed to all travel until further notice because another hydrothermal explosion is possible.
NPS: The Beartooth Highway (US-212) between Red Lodge and Cooke City/Silver Gate is closed for the season. It is scheduled to reopen Friday, May 28, 2027, weather permitting.
NPS (Oct 19): Current wildland fire danger is HIGH. Use campfires only in established fire rings where fires are permitted. Put every fire out completely.
Stay on boardwalks near hot springs and geysers. Camera tripod legs must remain on boardwalks. Stay at least 100 yd from bears, wolves, and cougars and 25 yd from bison, elk, and other wildlife.
NPS conditions (large page)
Major places list all five services. Seasonal services may be closed.
Do this: Buy food and fuel in West Yellowstone. The next fuel is at Old Faithful.
The NPS visitor information center is in West Yellowstone.
Do this: For food or fuel, use West Yellowstone or Old Faithful.
Do this: Main service stop between West Entrance and West Thumb.
The visitor center and boardwalks are near the main parking areas. Stay on boardwalks in all thermal areas.
Do this: For food, drinking water, or fuel, drive 2 miles south to Grant Village.
Do this: Get food and fuel here before driving toward West Thumb or the South Entrance.
Do this: Fuel at Fishing Bridge. Food and lodging at Fishing Bridge and Lake Village.
Do this: Get food and fuel here before Norris, Tower Junction, or Lamar Valley.
Do this: Refuel here before Lamar Valley or the Northeast Entrance. Do not rely on mobile service farther east.
Do this: Bring food and water. Refuel at Tower Junction.
Do not stop in the traffic lane to watch wildlife. Park fully inside a designated pullout.
Do this: Get food and fuel here before Norris or the North Entrance.
The Albright Visitor Center is open year-round.
Do this: Carry water. For food or fuel, continue to Mammoth, Canyon Village, or Old Faithful.
Stay on boardwalks inside the geyser basin.
Summer estimates without long stops. Traffic, wildlife, weather, and road work can cause delays.
West Entrance → 30 min → Madison Junction → 35–45 min → Old Faithful
Allow 65–75 min without stops. Wildlife and construction can cause long delays.
Old Faithful → 40 min → Grant Village → 45 min → Lake Village → 35 min → Canyon Village
Via Norris is usually shorter when open.
South Entrance → 50 min → Grant Village · East Entrance → 60 min → Lake Village
The South Entrance route passes through Grand Teton, which charges a separate entrance fee.
North Entrance → 15 min → Mammoth → 45 min → Norris Junction → 30 min → Canyon Village
Allow at least 90 minutes.
Northeast Entrance → 60 min → Tower Junction → 50–60 min → Canyon Village
Tower Junction to Mammoth: about 40 min.
Emergency: call 911. Tell the dispatcher your location, direction of travel, vehicle, and problem.
Park information: 307-344-7381
Road text alerts: text 82190 to 888-777.
This independent guide is not the National Park Service and is not an emergency service.
Open 24 hours a day, year-round. 7-day pass: $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, $20 per person. Annual pass: $70. Non-US residents 16+ pay $100 more unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass. No vehicle reservation needed.
Pets must stay within 100 ft of roads, parking areas and campgrounds, leashed (6 ft max), crated or in a car. No pets on trails, boardwalks, thermal areas or in the backcountry.
All of Yellowstone is bear habitat. Carry bear spray in an easily accessible location and know how to use it. Hike in groups of 3 or more and be alert. You cannot bring bear spray on an airplane. Buy it in gateway towns. Do not throw bear spray in the trash. Use a 24/7 Bear Aware drop-off location to dispose or recycle it.
Launching, landing or operating drones is prohibited in the park.
Many campgrounds are closed for the season. Mammoth is open all year; Madison and Fishing Bridge RV Park through Oct 17. Do not sleep in a vehicle outside a designated campground.
Every backcountry overnight stay requires a permit; reserve on Recreation.gov. Check the backcountry conditions map for closures and hazards.
Fishing requires a Yellowstone fishing permit. Watercraft require a Yellowstone boat permit and an aquatic-invasive-species inspection before launch.
Distances are one way unless marked as a loop. Check trail closures.
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