Travel Advisory – Conditions and Guidance for Visitors and Residents
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PLANNING AHEAD

PLANNING AHEAD

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK UPDATES
&
GATEWAY COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Yellowstone National Park’s north and south loops are fully open as of July 2, 2022 to all vehicles at all times through the east, south, and west entrances at Cody (WY), Grand Tetons National Park/Jackson (WY), and West Yellowstone (MT).

The Alternating License Plate Systems (ALPS) has been suspended, as 93% of the Parks roadways are open.

As of July 2, 2022 visitors to Gardiner (MT), the north entrance to the park, can access Yellowstone National Park with guides and outfitters only. The north entrance at Gardiner remains closed into Yellowstone to traffic unless you have contracted an approved guide or outfitter from Gardiner. More information on approved guides and outfitters can be found here and here.

The northeast entrance at Cooke City/Silver Gate (MT) remains closed, however Cooke City is open to the public and is a great community to visit via Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (see more below).

 

RED LODGE IS OPEN
Red Lodge is open for business. The events on the Red Lodge community calendar, like the rodeo, currently remain on the calendar. Visit the Red Lodge Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or call (406) 446-1718 for more information.
 

THE BEARTOOTH HIGHWAY HAS REOPENED
The Beartooth Highway is now open from Red Lodge to Cooke City. The northeast entrance at Cooke City/Silver Gate (MT) remains closed, however Cooke City is open to the public and is a great community to visit via Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. For up to date information click here.

COOKE CITY IS OPEN
The community of Cooke City is open for business. Yellowstone National Park at Silver Gate and the east entrance remain closed, but Cooke City is open and accessible via Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.

The Colter Pass, Cooke City, Silver Gate Chamber of Commerce can be reached at (406) 838-2495.
 

GARDINER IS OPEN
Visitors can access Gardiner but there is no access to Yellowstone via the north entrance at this time (with the exception of contracting an approved guide or outfitter, per above). Crews are working to improve an old road that may be accessible to the public later this summer to help with connectivity to Mammoth and the north loop of the park. Visitors can still see the Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner via HWY 89 South. There are many activities and events available in Gardiner. 
 

More information on this active alert can be found at the Montana Office of Tourism and the National Park Service.

If you are traveling in southern Montana, please be sure to consult the following resources to ensure you can do so safely:

If you need a place to stay, click here for a complete list of Billings hotels.

Visit Billings Safely
 
Explore Responsibly at Montana’s Trailhead.
 
Montana Aware is a statewide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 by promoting safety measures for those traveling in the state. Visit Billings is committed to protecting the health of residents and visitors, and asks that you do the same.Visit Billings Safely

Safely explore and enjoy the Billings area! $25 rapid COVID tests are just a 5-minute drive away. To sign up click here.

For more information, please visit  St John's United Laboratory.
 
VISIT BILLINGS AND THE BILLINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE PARTNERED IN THE BE KIND CAMPAIGN
The Be Kind campaign is an effort to remind people that kindness matters and to support employees at Billings' area business who may be working under challenging circumstances including staff shortages or longer shifts to help keep businesses open.

Click on Download The Files to download the Be Kind Toolkit.
Visit Billings Safely
Download the files
Do Your Part to Recreate Responsibly
 
We’re committed to keeping Montana’s outdoor spaces, communities, residents and visitors safe. As you enjoy all the area has to offer, please join us in following these guidelines for responsible recreation.
 

Resources

For more traveler information and prevention tips, we encourage you to seek the most current information from the following sources.

Partner Information & Travel Updates


Before arriving, check the status of the place you’d like to visit. It’s good to have a backup plan if your destination is closed or crowded. Consider adjusting the time of day you plan to explore. By arriving early, you may experience shorter lines and reduced crowds for a more enjoyable experience!
Indoors or outdoors, be prepared to encounter others with different social distancing comfort levels. If you can, give other people as much space as possible. On trails, move over to let stock (horses and mules) pass, yield to other hikers and be respectful of other users. If you know you’ll be in an area with other people, have a mask at the ready. Keep your group small and if you are sick (have a cough, cold, fever, etc.) or have been in contact with individuals who have been sick, stay home and plan to visit when you’re well.
Check our local regulations for the latest safety measures. Facilities might be closed, so consider packing a lunch and bring essentials like extra water, food/snacks, bug spray and a first aid kit. In Montana, both weather and terrain can change quickly. We recommend packing clothing layers to add or remove as weather changes.
Have fun, but know your limits. Take it slow and choose lower-risk activities to reduce the strain on search and rescue operations and health care resources. Remember that Montana is home to bears, mountain goats, mountain lions, elk, deer and more. If you plan to spend time outside, be prepared to have an encounter with our abundant wildlife. Give wildlife their space, do not approach them and do not feed them. If you plan to hike, be sure to go with a friend, make noise on the trail (talking or clapping), carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Our area is full of local parks, trails and public spaces. Enjoy them while being mindful of your impact on the surrounding communities. Check in with local Chambers or Visitor Information Centers to pick up travel guides and maps, as well as get suggestions for things to do, places to go and insider tips.
Pack your garbage out with you and clean up properly. When recreating on public lands, be sure to take care of them by staying on trails. If you plan to camp while you’re here, be sure to do so in an existing campsite or pick a site where vegetation is absent. It’s important to respect public lands and waters, as well as Native and local communities.
Do your part to help make our outdoor spaces safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.
To learn more about responsible recreation in Montana, go to visitmt.com/montana-matters or recreateresponsibly.org. 
 
As wildfires continue to affect Montana as well as other parts of the country, please obey all local and state laws, warnings and guidance regarding open flames (including campfires) and flammable materials. Additionally, please note that for the safety of all Montana residents and visitors, certain roadways and attractions may at times be closed to the public if wildfires present dangerous conditions such as poor visibility or air quality. Thank you for understanding and for doing your part to Recreate Responsibly.