Date: April 18, 2006
Contact: Nash, (307) 344-2010
Contact: Vallie, (307) 344-2012
Spring in Yellowstone National Park is an excellent time to explore and enjoy the park's abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery.
Roads into the park begin opening to automobiles on April 21, 2006. Weather permitting, starting Friday you’ll be able to enter from Gardiner or West Yellowstone, Montana, and drive to Norris, Madison, Canyon and Old Faithful.
Two weeks later, on May 5, the road from Canyon to Lake and the East Entrance road over Sylvan Pass are expected to open. Due to construction, the East Entrance road will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with half hour delays.
Access from Lake and Old Faithful to West Thumb, Grant Village and the South Entrance, and from Tower Junction to Tower Fall should open on Friday, May 12.
The road over Dunraven Pass and the Beartooth Highway outside the park's Northeast Entrance are scheduled to open on Friday, May 26, in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, to the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City, Montana, is open all year to automobiles, weather permitting.
There are limited facilities and services available in the park this time of year. Yellowstone's weather is unpredictable. Visitors need to be prepared for snow and ice and temporary road closures. The latest information on road conditions in the park is available 24-hours a day by calling (307) 344-2117.
