Yellowstone National Park will begin its annual spring opening on Friday, April 17, 2026, with select entrances and roads reopening to visitors, weather permitting.
The North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, and the West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana, are both scheduled to open at 8 a.m. The Northeast Entrance near Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana, is also scheduled to open April 17.
For anyone planning an early-season trip, spring in Yellowstone can still feel a lot like winter, and visitors should expect changing conditions, limited services in some areas, and the possibility of temporary road closures due to inclement weather.
What Will Be Open on April 17
Starting April 17, visitors entering through the North or West entrances will be able to access:
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- Lamar Valley
- Norris Geyser Basin
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Old Faithful
More roads are expected to open throughout May, depending on weather and road conditions.
Spring Trips Still Require Winter Prep
Even though Yellowstone is beginning its seasonal opening schedule, mid-April is still shoulder season in the park. The National Park Service says many trails and boardwalks may still be snow covered, and drivers should be prepared for ice, snow, gravel, and slick roads.
Visitors should also be ready for delays of up to 30 minutes because of road improvement projects. On top of that, temporary closures or travel restrictions can happen at any time if conditions deteriorate.
Wildlife Safety Is Still a Big Part of the Visit
Spring is also a time when wildlife is especially active in Yellowstone. Bison, elk, bears, and other animals often use park roads as travel corridors, especially when roadside snowbanks make it harder for them to move away from traffic.
Park officials are asking visitors not to crowd, harass, or pressure wildlife off the road. Yellowstone requires people to stay at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves, and cougars, and 25 yards away from all other wildlife.
The park is also reminding visitors to carry bear spray and know how to use it.
You can listen to our May 2025 Yellowstone trip recap on episode 366 of the RV Miles Podcast, where we discuss the changing weather conditions and the incredible amount of wildlife we encountered over the 10 days we were there.
What Visitors Should Do Before Heading In
Before arriving, Yellowstone recommends checking current conditions, reviewing seasonal operating dates, and staying alert for road updates. Visitors can also call (307) 344-2117 for recorded road information or sign up for mobile road alerts by texting 82190 to 888-777. To learn more about National Park passes, we have a complete National Park Passes Guide for 2026 filled with all the information you need.
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