Yellowstone Update: Summer 2022

Yellowstone Reopening Update as of Wednesday June 22nd:
The National Park Service has begun opening up 3 of the 5 Yellowstone entrances. The re-opening plan is moving forward quickly with 80% of the park forecasted to be opened up in the next 2 weeks, which includes parts of the Northern loop. We also want to emphasize that each successive daily update has offered more optimistic changes which suggest that Yellowstone is going be a great place to travel this summer.

Here is what has been announced and has happened so so far:

  • The South (Jackson Hole, Grand Teton NP), East (Cody), and West (West Yellowstone) entrances re-opened at 8 AM on Wednesday, June 22nd. Allowing visitors to access everything in the Main Loop, including the Upper & Lower Geyser Basins (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Paint Pots, etc.), the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Hayden Valley (wildlife galore!) and Yellowstone Lake. See the map below for more information.
  • Campground reservations are the safest way to ensure access to Yellowstone. Hotel and backcountry reservations also work.
    • Visitors with proof of overnight reservations in the park will be permitted to enter on the day of your reservation.
    • If you do not have proof of overnight reservations, you will only be allowed to enter the park according to the Alternating License Plate System. To summarize: the last number on your license plate will determine when you’re allowed to enter the park; odd #’s are permitted to enter on odd calendar days, and vice versa.
  • If you have a trip departing in the next two weeks, we recommend focusing on Grant Village and Bridge Bay campgrounds. These sites are accepting reservations beginning June 22nd. Use the Yellowstone Xanterra website to book these campgrounds.
    • Lots of travelers coming from the North (including Bozeman) are canceling their reservations due to entry restrictions. We recommend checking available campgrounds early and often!

Additional Campground Information

  • Fishing Bridge campground is expected to reopen next week. Canyon and Madison campgrounds will remain closed until at least Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
  • The campgrounds most affected by the recent flooding:
    • Pebble Creek and Slough Creek, which will be closed until at least July 31st. More updates to come.
    • Mammoth, which will remain closed for the remainder of 2022.
    • If you have reservations in these campgrounds, you will have to make other plans. Please use Moterra as a resource! We have a number of very helpful resources and suggestions for other great options to round out your trip.

Reminder on Yellowstone Geography

Yellowstone has five entrances, only two of which (North and Northeast) have been severely affected by the recent flooding.

Moterra guests primarily access Yellowstone via the South Entrance, which is closest to our Jackson Hole location. This entrance has been unaffected by the flooding and looks certain to be one of the most convenient and ideal entrances to Yellowstone this summer.

For anyone who was planning to use Yellowstone’s North Entrance to transit between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks or our Whitefish, MT location, the West Entrance remains a great alternative. There are many spectacular views, fun adventures and great camping opportunities which are accessible from Yellowstone’s West Entrance.

We are looking forward to a summer full of great memories made in and around Yellowstone!

Maps of Entrances to Yellowstone

The entrances in green re-opened on Wednesday, June 22nd. The entrances in red will remain closed.

Source: Yellowstone National Park, Moterra Campervans