Do I need a reservation to visit Yellowstone in 2025?
Wondering if you need a reservation to visit Yellowstone? With national parks getting more crowded, 11 of them now require advance reservations. But here’s the good news—Yellowstone isn’t one of them! As of 2025, no reservations are needed.
Yellowstone in May
All you need is an entrance pass. Just pay the entrance fee, and you’re good to go.
Yellowstone has five entrances, and each one offers a unique experience:
North Entrance: Open year-round, it takes you straight to Mammoth Hot Springs.
Northeast Entrance: Brings you into prime wildlife territory with stunning buffalo pastures.
East Entrance: Leads from historic Cody, Wyoming, offering a scenic drive to Yellowstone Lake.
South Entrance: Ideal if you want to explore Yellowstone and Grand Teton in one trip.
West Entrance: The fastest route to geysers and hot springs.
Not all entrances are open year-round. The only road that stays open throughout the year for regular vehicles runs from the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, to Cooke City, Montana (via Tower Junction). Most other roads close to regular traffic from early November to late April, but you can still explore the park on guided snowmobiles or snowcoaches from mid-December to mid-March.
When the roads are open, they aren’t gated at night, meaning you can enter or leave the park anytime—24/7. Be sure to check current road conditions and seasonal openings before heading out by visiting Yellowstone’s official website.
Need help planning your trip? Visit this page for more details and pre-made itineraries designed to help you make the most of your Yellowstone adventure.
Yellowstone is calling—are you ready?
