What You Need To Know: Visiting Yellowstone & The Tetons in 2023

We’re constantly scanning the National Park Service’s website, here’s a summary of what you need to know.

Key Takeaways for 2023:

  • All Yellowstone campsites are now reservable. This is a change from past years, when campgrounds were divided between reservable and first-come, first-served.
  • Construction of a new bridge to the Northeast entrance will be underway until 2025. Visitors will use the existing Yellowstone River Bridge, but can expect slight delays in the area.

As of October 30th 2022, all road damage sustained in Yellowstone due to flooding has been repaired. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and a few Northern campgrounds will remain closed through winter of 2023 due to flood damage. 

Note: this article will be updated with new information as it arises.

Campgrounds

It’s important to note that there are two sets of campgrounds in Yellowstone. The first is operated by the National Park Service and contains 7 campgrounds, which are reservable through recreation.gov. The second is operated by Yellowstone National Park Lodges and contains 5 campgrounds.

All of Grand Teton NP campgrounds require reservations and start booking six months in advance on recreation.gov.

NPS Campgrounds (Open for reservation 6 months in advance)

YNP Campgrounds (Open for reservation 6 months in advance) 

Grand Teton Campgrounds (Open for reservation 6 months in advance)

Roads

Yellowstone National Park has five entrances each open 24 hours, 7 days a week. At this time, Yellowstone is not requiring vehicle reservations to enter the park. 

Chip sealing along Yellowstone roads happens year round due to heavy usage. Short delays can occur if you happen upon the crew while they’re working. Click here for the park’s live road map

The following roads will be closed during winter and reopen on or near the dates listed below (some roads stay open for over-snow vehicles). Current road conditions can be found here.

 

2023 Spring Opening Dates

Roads will open at 8 am on the following dates (conditions permitting):

  • April 21: West Entrance to Madison Junction, Mammoth Hot Springs to Old Faithful, Norris to Canyon Village
  • May 5: East Entrance to Lake Village (Sylvan Pass), Canyon Village to Lake Village
  • May 12: South Entrance to West Thumb, Lake Village to West Thumb, West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass), Tower Junction to Tower Fall
  • May 26: 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)

2023 Fall Closing Dates

Roads will be closed to public vehicle traffic on the following dates:

  • October 10: The Beartooth Highway (US-212) between Red Lodge, Montana, and Cooke City, Montana.
  • November 1: 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.

 

Road construction does happen!

Always be sure to plan ahead and check the current conditions pages for Yellowstone & The Grand Tetons

Now, about the $
  • 7-Day Yellowstone National Park Pass $35
  • 7-Day Grand Teton National Park Pass $35
  • Showers at certain campgrounds are coin operated, keep your change!
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Dirk Badenhorst