Yellowstone National Park Fees, Reservations & Road Opening Dates (2026)
Entrance costs, the non-US surcharge, and 2026 road opening and closing dates.
Last verified against official NPS sources
Yellowstone entrance fees (2026)
All standard entrance passes are valid for 7 consecutive days, beginning the day of purchase.
| Pass type | Price | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $35 | One vehicle and all occupants, 7 days |
| Motorcycle or snowmobile | $30 | Up to 2 vehicles and 4 total passengers, 7 days |
| Per person (foot, bicycle, or ski) | $20 | One person age 16+, 7 days; ages 15 and under free |
Unlike several other major parks, Yellowstone's entrance stations accept both cash and credit/debit at all five entrances (North, Northeast, East, South, West).
Non-US resident surcharge
In 2026, visitors who are not US residents pay a $100 per person fee in addition to the standard entrance pass. The surcharge does not apply if you hold a Yellowstone Annual Pass or an America the Beautiful Pass.
Annual passes
| Pass | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone Annual Pass | $70 | Unlimited Yellowstone entry for 12 months; also waives the non-US resident surcharge |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | $80 | All federal recreation sites for 12 months (US residents). $250 for non-US residents. |
No reservations needed to enter
Yellowstone has no vehicle reservation or timed-entry system in 2026. Drive up to any entrance during operating hours with a pass purchased in advance on Recreation.gov or at the gate. In-park lodging and campgrounds are a different story — they require advance booking and the popular ones sell out months ahead.
2026 road opening dates
Yellowstone's interior roads close every winter and reopen in stages each spring. Only one road stays open all year.
| Opens (2026) | Road segments |
|---|---|
| Year-round | North Entrance to Northeast Entrance (through Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley) |
| April 17 | West Entrance–Madison, Madison–Old Faithful, Madison–Norris, Mammoth–Norris, Norris–Canyon Village |
| May 1 | East Entrance over Sylvan Pass; Canyon Village–Bridge Bay |
| May 8 | South Entrance roads; Tower-Roosevelt segment |
| May 22 | Dunraven Pass, Beartooth Highway (US-212), and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296) |
2026 road closing dates
| Closes (2026) | Road segments |
|---|---|
| October 12 | Dunraven Pass, Beartooth Highway (US-212), and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296) |
| October 31 | Most other park roads close to regular vehicles for the season |
The winter oversnow season — commercially guided snowmobiles and snowcoaches on park roads — runs December 15, 2026 to March 15, 2027.
Construction delays in 2026
Expect a single lane and delays up to 15 minutes at the Gardner River High Bridge near Mammoth through late October 2026. Chip-sealing projects elsewhere in the park can add delays of up to 30 minutes.
Fee-free days in 2026
Entrance fees are waived on these dates (camping and other amenity fees still apply):
| Date | Occasion |
|---|---|
| February 16 | Presidents Day |
| May 25 | Memorial Day |
| June 14 | Flag Day |
| July 3–5 | Independence Day weekend |
| August 25 | National Park Service birthday |
| September 17 | Constitution Day |
| October 27 | Theodore Roosevelt's birthday |
| November 11 | Veterans Day |
Common Questions
Do I need a reservation to enter Yellowstone in 2026?
No. Yellowstone has no timed-entry or vehicle reservation system. You only need a standard entrance pass, bought in advance on Recreation.gov or at any entrance station.
How much does it cost to enter Yellowstone?
$35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle or snowmobile, or $20 per person age 16+ entering on foot, bicycle, or ski. All passes are valid for 7 consecutive days. Ages 15 and under enter free.
Does Yellowstone accept cash?
Yes. All five entrance stations accept both cash and credit/debit cards — unlike some parks that have gone cashless.
What is the non-US resident fee at Yellowstone?
Non-US residents pay a $100 per person surcharge in addition to the standard entrance pass in 2026. It's waived for holders of a Yellowstone Annual Pass or an America the Beautiful Pass.
When do Yellowstone roads open in 2026?
In stages: the West Entrance, Old Faithful, and Canyon roads opened April 17; the East Entrance over Sylvan Pass May 1; South Entrance roads May 8; and Dunraven Pass, the Beartooth Highway, and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway May 22. The North Entrance to Northeast Entrance road is open year-round.
When do Yellowstone roads close for winter?
Dunraven Pass, the Beartooth Highway, and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway close October 12, 2026. Most other roads close to regular vehicles October 31. The guided oversnow season (snowmobiles and snowcoaches) runs December 15, 2026 to March 15, 2027.
Sources & Further Reading
- NPS: Yellowstone fees & passes — National Park Service
- NPS: Yellowstone park roads & seasonal dates — National Park Service
