Yellowstone National Park Closures
Recent flooding in Yellowstone National Park has disrupted early summer plans for thousands of visitors, residents and businesses. Please follow closure notices and detours for the safety of you and your family.
Refer to this page and the resources below for the latest information about access to Yellowstone, road closures and activities available during your stay. Big Sky and other communities are open and welcome you for recreation and relaxation.
Yellowstone National Park alerts
ALL entrances to Yellowstone National Park are CLOSED temporarily due to heavy flooding, rockslides and extremely hazardous conditions. Safe experiences are our priority; please check the following sources for road status and weather conditions.
UPDATE: Beginning Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Yellowstone National Park will be allowing visitors to access the southern loop at 8 a.m. To reduce traffic and to make sure the southern loop does not become overwhelming and to balance resource protection and economic interest to the surrounding communities, Yellowstone National Park will be implementing an interim plan called Alternating License Plate System (ALPS).
Learn more about entering the park while using the ALPS system
https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/flood-recovery.htm
Yellowstone National Park
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/220613.htm
Montana Road Conditions
View road closures throughout the State of Montana.
Gallatin County
https://www.readygallatin.com/
Yellowstone Country
https://www.visityellowstonecountry.com/ynp-status
We have rooms for you
Yellowstone National Park guests looking for lodging are invited to stay in Big Sky. Our hotels, ski resort and rental properties are open and ready to welcome you. From Big Sky Resort to Lone Mountain Ranch cabins, you’ll find a variety of options on our Places to Stay page.
Make Montana memories in Big Sky
While Yellowstone may no longer be part of your travel itinerary, you can still enjoy the fun and adventure of western Montana. Make Big Sky your homebase for ziplining, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, hot springs and more.
Our tour operators are adjusting their programs, offering tours to Virginia City and other surprising destinations on the outskirts of the park.
Vacations are more memorable when you discover new places and try new activities. Is this your year to go horseback riding? Or let the kids talk you into ziplining! Start planning your Big Sky adventure with the list below and our online Activity Finder.
Big fun in Big Sky
Step into adventure above and below the tree line with all the fun experiences available in Big Sky:
Ziplining
Mountain biking
Hiking
Horseback riding
Community park trails
Shopping
Whitewater rafting*
Fly fishing*
Balloon flights
*Contact guides for current conditions
Use our Activity Finder for details on the above activities.
Summer at Big Sky’s ski resort
When the snow melts, Big Sky Resort shifts to a new season of fun activities, including:
Disc golf
Golf
Hiking
Ziplining
Mountain biking
Scenic chairlift rides
Lake Lavinsky Marina
Water and mountains in Bozeman
From hot springs to invigorating reservoir, Bozeman offers a range of water and mountain perspectives:
Bozeman Hot Springs
Hike the M
Hyalite Reservoir
Downtown Bozeman
Museum of the Rockies
Wildlife and wonder in West Yellowstone
Just outside Yellowstone National Park you can experience the wildlife and adventures of West Yellowstone, such as:
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
Ziplining
Adventure tours
ATV/UTV
Shopping
Hiking
Self-guided historic walking tour
Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
See more of Yellowstone Country and Montana
Wyoming: Grand Teton / Jackson Hole
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the status of Yellowstone Park?
As of June 17, all five entrances to Yellowstone National Park remain closed because of flood damage inside the park. We are saddened that thousands of visitors will be unable to experience Yellowstone as planned. With safety as the priority, National Park Service officials are waiting for floodwaters to recede and will continue to review the conditions of roads, bridges and stormwater facilities.
When will the park reopen?
We are hopeful that sections of the park not severely affected by the flooding will reopen soon. Some roads are severely damaged and likely will not reopen this season. We are closely monitoring the situation and will update our website and social media channels as we learn more about access to the park.
Should I cancel my plans for visiting Yellowstone?
If you have reservations to spend the night in the park in the coming weeks, you may need to postpone or cancel your lodging and activity plans. We invite you to consider rerouting your Montana trip and check out Big Sky. We’re an hour northwest of Yellowstone, and our lodging and recreational activities are open for your enjoyment.
Can I get a refund?
Xanterra, the company that manages lodging inside Yellowstone National Park, has said it will offer refunds if they’re not able to provide lodging or tours you had reserved. Businesses in communities surrounding the park, including Gallatin and West Yellowstone, have already been impacted by visitor cancellations. We ask you to consider maintaining your down payment or requesting credit for a future visit, which will help these small businesses through the sudden closures.
How is Big Sky affected?
We are saddened by the flood damage to the country’s first national park. Fortunately, flooding has not affected Big Sky. Our town’s lodging, restaurants, attractions and services are open and welcome you to visit.
Are there places to stay overnight in Big Sky?
Yellowstone National Park guests looking for lodging are invited to stay in Big Sky. Our hotels, ski resort and rental properties are open and ready to welcome you. From Big Sky Resort to Lone Mountain Ranch cabins, you’ll find a variety of options on our Places to Stay page.
What’s there to do in Big Sky?
While Yellowstone may no longer be part of your travel itinerary, you can still enjoy the fun and adventure of western Montana. Make Big Sky your homebase for ziplining, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, hot springs and more. Our tour operators are adjusting their programs, offering tours to Virginia City and other surprising destinations on the outskirts of the park.
Vacations are more memorable when you discover new places and try new activities. Is this your year to go horseback riding? Or let the kids talk you into ziplining! Start planning your Big Sky adventure with the list below and our online Activity Finder.
Big fun in Big Sky
Step into adventure above and below the tree line with all the fun experiences available in Big Sky:
Ziplining • Mountain biking • Hiking • Horseback riding • Community park trails
Shopping • Balloon flights • Whitewater rafting* • Fly fishing*
*Contact guides for current conditions
Use our Activity Finder for details on the above activities.
Summer at Big Sky Resort
When the snow melts, Big Sky Resort shifts to a new season of fun activities, including:
Disc golf • Golf • Ziplining • Mountain biking • Hiking • Scenic chairlift rides • Lake Lavinsky Marina
Are there campgrounds near Big Sky?
Camping is a popular summer activity in Big Sky Country. Five designated campgrounds in the Gallatin Canyon are in the Big Sky area. Most of these popular campgrounds are small and are often fully booked, so reserve your site as soon as possible.
These five campgrounds near Big Sky are listed from north to south.
Spire Rock Campground – 20 sites
Greek Creek Campground – 14 sites
Swan Creek Campground – 13 sites
Moose Creek Flat Campground – 13 sites
Red Cliff Campground – 61 sites
Camping a bit further from Big Sky
Historic Bozeman – about an hour away
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park – 90 minutes away
Bannack State Park and a ghost town – 3 hours away
What other communities can I explore in Yellowstone Country?
More than a dozen cities outside the park make up Yellowstone Country. Individually, we offer unique experiences for dining, lodging, recreation and culture of the West. Together, we provide information and resources to make sure visitors to the region enjoy a full Yellowstone experience.
While you’re visiting Big Sky, consider a trip to our Yellowstone Country neighbors, including:
How can I help Yellowstone Country businesses?
Rather than completely cancelling your trip or requesting a refund, you could consider rescheduling for later in the season or next summer. You also could ask the business to credit your experience for a future trip. In addition, some businesses are offering guests the opportunity to donate $1 or round up your purchase for a fund to support Yellowstone Country communities affected by the floods. Your contributions will ensure more Montana adventures are available in the years to come.
Where can I get the latest Yellowstone updates?
The State of Montana website has an up-to-date travel advisory: https://brand.mt.gov/Programs/Office-Of-Tourism/Flood-Information-for-Travelers
National Park Service updates are provided here: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/220613.htm
