Yellowstone: Three Roads Close After Oct. 12, Main Entrances Open Through the 31st

If you're planning a fall trip to Yellowstone, mark this date. According to AD HOC NEWS, three high-elevation roads close after October 12, 2026 for the season. That's no surprise this time of year, but it changes which routes you'll actually be able to drive once you're there.

The first is Dunraven Pass, which connects Canyon Village to Tower Fall. Per the same source, the Beartooth Highway and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway shut down on the same date. These are three of the finest scenic drives in the area, so if they were on your list, aim to go before the 12th.

There's good news for the rest of the month. Per AD HOC NEWS, the West, East, and South entrances stay open through October 31, 2026, along with the main interior roads. So you'll still have access to the heart of the park for a couple more weeks after the passes close. That's enough to fit in the major sites without relying on the stretches that close first.

Here's something worth knowing if you're arriving in the off-season. The north corridor, running from Gardiner to Cooke City by way of Tower Junction, stays open to vehicles year-round. It's the only road crossing you can drive in the dead of winter, and it gives you a reliable way in when everything else has closed.

For the cold season, AD HOC NEWS says oversnow travel begins December 15, 2026 on select routes, by snowmobile or guided snowcoach. Between the passes closing and that winter restart, expect a window when the park runs at a crawl. One last thing worth flagging. These dates can shift with the weather, so check road conditions right before you head out. To plan your trip around these limits, lean on the Yellowstone park guide, and if you're pairing it with its neighbors, take a look at our road trip itinerary that runs through the park.