# Yellowstone North Entrance: this week

> Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · Yellowstone National Park · Gardiner, MT · Status: **Open to cars (year-round road)**. Facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from official NPS and NWS sources.

HTML version: https://parks.goes.health/parks/yellowstone/north-entrance.html

The North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana is the only Yellowstone entrance open to wheeled vehicles all year, and right now it's one of only two ways to drive in. From here the road climbs to Mammoth Hot Springs and continues east through Tower Junction and Lamar Valley to the Northeast Entrance.

## This week at the North Entrance (official conditions)

- **Open:** Open year-round to regular vehicles: North Entrance → Mammoth → Tower Junction → Lamar Valley → Northeast Entrance. Every other park road is closed to cars (oversnow travel only from Dec 15). Sources: [Yellowstone Park Roads (updated Nov 3, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm); [News release: Most Yellowstone roads and entrances close Nov. 1, 2026 (Oct 21)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/26026.htm)
- **Heads-up:** Gardner River High Bridge (0.5 mi southeast of Mammoth, toward Tower): single-lane traffic with up to 15-minute delays, 24/7, through Nov 24, 2026. Vehicles 8'6"+ wide, 75'+ long or 80,000+ lbs can't cross. Sources: [Yellowstone Park Roads (updated Nov 3, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm); [NPS Yellowstone alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- **Closed:** Mammoth to Norris is closed to cars; it opens to oversnow vehicles Dec 15, 2026. Sources: [Yellowstone Park Roads (updated Nov 3, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm)
- **Open:** Open at Mammoth per NPS operating dates: Albright Visitor Center, Mammoth Campground (first-come, first-served after Oct 15), Mammoth General Store, Mammoth Medical Clinic (closed on Thanksgiving), Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins, Post Office. The Mammoth gas station is listed as closed — fill up in Gardiner. Sources: [Yellowstone operating dates (updated Nov 9, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hours.htm)
- **Info:** Road status: call (307) 344-2117 or text 82190 to 888-777 for Yellowstone road alerts. Sources: [Yellowstone Park Roads (updated Nov 3, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm)

**Entrance fee:** Private vehicle $35. Non-US residents 16+ pay an additional $100 nonresident fee unless entering with an annual / America the Beautiful pass. Sources: [NPS Yellowstone fees & passes](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fees.htm); [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm)

## Forecast near the North Entrance

| Period | Temp | Forecast | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 34°F | Mostly Cloudy | 8 mph |
| Thursday | 64°F | Partly Sunny | 3 to 7 mph |
| Thursday Night | 35°F | Mostly Cloudy | 8 mph |
| Friday | 60°F | Partly Sunny | 6 to 12 mph |
| Friday Night | 36°F | Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers | 7 to 12 mph |
| Saturday | 55°F | Chance Rain And Snow Showers | 2 to 6 mph |
| Saturday Night | 36°F | Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy | 6 to 9 mph |
| Sunday | 48°F | Mostly Sunny | 9 mph |

Snapshot from the National Weather Service, fetched Nov 12, 2026. Live forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=45.029&lon=-110.708

## What actually matters here this season

The goal is a good trip, not a scary one. These are the hazards NPS highlights for this area and season, and what to do about each.

- **Thermal terraces at Mammoth.** Mammoth Hot Springs is the main thermal area you can reach by car right now. Stay on boardwalks and designated trails; thermal runoff can burn. Pets aren't allowed on boardwalks or in thermal areas. If you feel sick in a thermal area, leave immediately — gases can build up. Sources: [Yellowstone safety: thermal areas, wildlife, bears](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides
- **Elk and bison around Mammoth and the road.** The rule: at least 25 yards from elk and bison, 100 yards from bears and wolves. If an animal moves toward you, back away. It's illegal to stay near any animal at a distance that disturbs it. Sources: [Yellowstone safety: thermal areas, wildlife, bears](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
  - In GOES: Wildlife Encounters: location-specific risk indicators for dangerous animals
- **Bears may still be active.** NPS treats all of Yellowstone as bear country. Carry bear spray on any walk away from the car, hike in a group, and never leave packs or coolers unattended. Sources: [Yellowstone safety: thermal areas, wildlife, bears](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
  - In GOES: Wildlife Encounters: location-specific risk indicators for bears and other dangerous animals
- **Cold, ice and short days.** This week's NWS forecast for Gardiner: highs around 55–64°F, lows in the mid-30s, with a chance of rain and snow showers by Saturday. NPS asks drivers to carry blankets and keep a full tank. Sources: [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/); [News release: Most Yellowstone roads and entrances close Nov. 1, 2026 (Oct 21)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/26026.htm)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments

## Checklist for the North Entrance

- [ ] **Fill the tank in Gardiner** — NPS lists the Mammoth gas station as closed for winter.
- [ ] **Download offline maps + the GOES app before the arch** — NPS says to dial 911 “if cell service is available” — don't plan around it.
- [ ] **Bear spray within reach** — One can per person, in a holster, not in the pack. NPS: spray when a charging bear is 30–60 ft away.
- [ ] **Pack winter layers and a blanket** — Even after a 60°F afternoon, nights drop near freezing.
- [ ] **Check road status the morning you go** — (307) 344-2117, or text 82190 to 888-777.

Follow official NPS rules, posted closures and ranger instructions. They override anything on this page.

## Yellowstone park-wide

- **Thermal areas (scald burns).** Burns from thermal features are a common cause of serious injury and death in Yellowstone. Ground that looks solid can be a thin crust over superheated water. Stay on boardwalks, keep kids close, and never touch runoff. More than 20 people have died after entering or falling into hot springs. Biscuit Basin (near Old Faithful) remains closed after the July 2024 hydrothermal explosion. Sources: [Yellowstone safety: thermal areas, wildlife, bears](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm); [NPS Yellowstone alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides
- **Bears.** All of Yellowstone is grizzly and black bear country. Stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, carry bear spray where you can reach it, hike in groups of 3+, make noise, and avoid carcasses. Since 1970, 91% of people injured by bears in Yellowstone were hiking alone or with one partner. Sources: [Yellowstone safety: thermal areas, wildlife, bears](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
  - In GOES: Wildlife Encounters: location-specific risk indicators for bears and other dangerous animals
- **Bison, elk and other wildlife.** Stay at least 25 yards from bison, elk and all other animals (100 yards from bears, wolves and cougars). The safest view is usually from inside your car. Sources: [Yellowstone safety: thermal areas, wildlife, bears](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
  - In GOES: Wildlife Encounters: location-specific risk indicators for dangerous animals
- **Winter driving and cold.** NPS asks fall and winter drivers to watch the weather, keep plans flexible, expect limited services and closures without notice, pack blankets and cold-weather essentials, and keep a full tank. Sources: [News release: Most Yellowstone roads and entrances close Nov. 1, 2026 (Oct 21)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/26026.htm)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments

## All active Yellowstone NPS alerts

From the NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12, 2026. Live: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

- **[Park Closure] Most Park Roads Closed to All Vehicles.** Most roads are closed to prepare for commercially-guided snowcoach and snowmobile travel during the winter season, which will begin December 15 (weather depending). The road between the North and Northeast entrances is the only road open year-round to regular vehicles. (https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm)
- **[Information] Traffic Delays - Gardner River High Bridge.** Expect a single lane of traffic with up to 15-minute delays, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 through November 24, 2026. Oversized/overweight vehicles (8'6"+ wide, 75'+ long, 80,000 lbs+ gross vehicle weight) will not be able to cross the bridge during this time. (https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm)
- **[Park Closure] Biscuit Basin Closed Due to Hydrothermal Explosion.** The parking lot, boardwalk, and Firehole River at Biscuit Basin, located north of Old Faithful, is closed to all travel until further notice due to the possibility of another event at the site of a hydrothermal explosion that occurred July 23, 2024. (https://www.nps.gov/yell/images/Biscuit_Basin_Closure_Map_20250529_1.png)

## Get the GOES app before the gate

**When signal drops, GOES steps in.** Mammoth's thermal terraces, elk and bison along the road, and grizzly country beyond. Download GOES in Gardiner so its injury assessment, how-to guides and prevention tips work without a signal.

GOES — Outdoor Health & Safety is your outdoor safety companion: an offline interactive health assessment, 50+ visual how-to guides, 200+ prevention tips across 60+ medical topics, and location-specific risk indicators (wildlife, cold, heat, altitude, ticks, poisonous plants, UV, smoke). Built by wilderness medicine physicians: founded by Dr. Grant Lipman; Chief Medical Officer Dr. Colin Little, MD, FAWM.

- iOS (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goes-outdoor-health-safety/id1576527901
- Android (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goes.mobile
- About GOES: https://goes.health/platform

Free to download. Premium features need a monthly or annual subscription after a 7-day free trial. GOES provides guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.

## Other Yellowstone entrances

- [Northeast Entrance](https://parks.goes.health/parks/yellowstone/northeast-entrance.md): Open to cars, reached via Gardiner
- [Yellowstone overview, closures and park-wide risks](https://parks.goes.health/parks/yellowstone/index.md)

## Sources

Fetched Thu Nov 12, 2026 (JST), which is Wed Nov 11 evening in US time zones. We don't publish wait times, wildlife sightings or conditions we can't source.

- [Yellowstone Park Roads (updated Nov 3, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm)
- [News release: Most Yellowstone roads and entrances close Nov. 1, 2026 (Oct 21)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/26026.htm)
- [NPS Yellowstone alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- [Yellowstone operating dates (updated Nov 9, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hours.htm)
- [Yellowstone safety: thermal areas, wildlife, bears](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
- [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
- [NPS Yellowstone fees & passes](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fees.htm)
- [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm)
- [NPS Yellowstone National Park](https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm)

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*GOES provides guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. ParkReady Guides is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Always follow official NPS rules, posted closures and ranger instructions. Conditions change quickly; check the linked NPS pages before you go. In an emergency, call 911.*

ParkReady Guides by GOES Health · Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from NPS and NWS. Agent overview: https://parks.goes.health/llms.txt · Conditions feed (JSON): https://parks.goes.health/conditions.json