Yellowstone Insider Your Complete Guide to America's First National Park
You have six more days to visit most of Yellowstone National Park before the end of the 2014 season, but be warned that snow could impact your traveling plans.
In fact, snow did indeed impact plans for travelers yesterday and Sunday, according to National Park Service officials. Some potential visitors were turned away because their cars lacked snowtires or chains, and some visitors were stranded in the Park by the snow after a foot of snow fell in some areas. The photo above — taken on the Blacktail Plateau, courtesy of the National Park Service — shows the snow in the Park.
The weather forecast is good if you’re heading into the Park, however. Despite some low temps expected, there’s no snow in the forecast, but this time of year that’s not something to bet on. Temporary travel restrictions or closures like those experienced Sunday and Monday can occur at any time without notice. Updated information on road conditions in Yellowstone is available 24-hours a day by calling 307/344-2117.
Whatever you do, do it soon, as roads to most of the park’s popular locations close to vehicle travel at 8 a.m. Monday, November 3. The exception is the road from the park’s North Entrance at Gardiner, Mont., through Mammoth Hot Springs to the park’s Northeast Entrance and the communities of Cooke City and Silver Gate, Mont., which is open all year, weather permitting. All other park roads close for the season to allow staff members to begin preparing the roads for guided snowmobile and snowcoach travel beginning December 15.
At Mammoth Hot Springs, the Yellowstone General Store, Post Office, medical clinic, campground, and visitor center remain open all year. Pay-at-the pump fuel is available 24 hours a day all year at all park service stations.
