Admission, Dates, Hours, Etc.

Access Fees

  • $25 for a non-commercial vehicle
  • $20 for a motorcycle or snowmobile
  • $50 Annual Pass allows you to access the parks (YNP & GTNP) for one full calendar year after issuance without having to pay additional fees.  You can buy the pass at the entrance station.
  • $80 Interagency Pass affords the holder access to all federal “fee” sites across the country.  These passes are available for $10 to senior citizens, and free to those who are blind or permanently disabled.
  • Commercial vehicles pay a fee based on seating capacity:
    • 1 – 6 passengers, $25 + $12 per person
    • 7 – 15 passengers, $125 (no per person charge)
    • 16 – 25 passengers, $250 (no per person charge)
    • More than 25 passengers, $300 (no per person charge)
  • Non-commercial groups on vehicles with a capacity of more than 15 are charged $12 per person.  The fee charged will not exceed the commercial fee for the particular type of vehicle as outlined above.
  • Those 15 and younger are not charged fees for entry.
  • The driver of a commercial vehicle is usually not charged for entry.

The fee provides the visitor with a 7-day entrance permit for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and must be shown upon each entry into either park.

Park Access and Hours of Operations

  • The North and Northeast Entrances are open year round to wheeled vehicles.  During the Winter snow tires or chains may be required.
  • The East Entrance is open to wheeled vehicles from the first Friday in May through the first Sunday in November, and then to oversnow vehicles from December 22 through March 1st, road (and avalanche) conditions permitting.
  • The South Entrance is open to wheeled vehicles from the second Friday in May through the first Sunday in November, and then to oversnow vehicles from December 15th until March 15th, road conditions permitting.
  • The West Entrance is open to wheeled vehicles from the third Friday in April through the first Sunday in November, and then to oversnow vehicles from December 15th through March 15th, road conditions permitting.

The entrances are open 24 hours, 7 days a week during the summer season – mid April to the beginning of November, generally. It is possible if you arrive late at night or very early in the morning, there may not be a ranger on duty.  This is normal.  Pick up material left in the box for you, and be prepared to pay the admission fee upon your next entrance into the park.  Note that it is not uncommon for rangers to stop people exiting the park and have them show their passes, so don’t assume that just because you got in for free that absolves you of the responsibility for paying the entrance fee.  You can pay it at any ranger or entrance station in the park.

You do not need reservations to enter the park. Your park entrance pass is good for seven days and is good for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton.  If you enter from the south, you’ll pay your fees at the Grand Teton entrance station and will need to show your pass at the South Entrance gate of Yellowstone.

During the winter season, the inbound park gates do close at night, largely for safety reasons.  Road maintenance and grooming operations are conducted at night.  Access during winter is limited to commercially-guided tour groups using snowmobiles or snowcoaches.

All vehicle operators, including those operating motorcycles and snowmobiles, are required to possess a valid drivers license.

Opening & Closing Dates

Opening/Closing Dates can now be found on the Yellowstone Wiki.