Free park entrance April 22-26 for National Park Week
YELLOWSTONE – The roads from West Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot Springs to Old Faithful will open Friday, April 19.
Budget cuts due to the impacts of sequestration delayed the start of plowing from March 4 until March 18; however, favorable weather, low snow levels, and assistance from the Wyoming Department of Transportation and private funding allowed the park to clear these road segments earlier than anticipated.
Park entrance fees will be waived April 22-26 as part of National Park Week.
Weather permitting, the road from Norris Junction through Canyon and Fishing Bridge to the East Entrance will open on May 3, as originally scheduled. The road through the South Entrance is scheduled to open May 10, and the road from West Thumb Junction to Old Faithful will open after May 10. Travel between the park’s North Entrance at Gardiner, through Mammoth Hot Springs and to the Northeast Entrance is open year round.
Park officials remind visitors that spring weather can bring cold temperatures, high winds and snow in Yellowstone. Even cleared roads can be narrow and covered with snow, ice and debris. Temporary road closures are possible with little or no advance warning.
Information on current park conditions is available at nps.gov/yell/conditions.htm or (307) 344-2117. Follow plowing progress at nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/plowing.htm.
