Travel Updates

As Yellowstone National Park continues to deal with evolving conditions due to unprecedented flooding, we are working to provide everyone with access to the latest updates, reports, and recommendations from official sources. Our priority is the safety and well-being of the people we serve: our visitors and guests, those who serve them, and our local communities. If you need assistance, please call 307.586.1574 or 307.586.1571, and we’ll be happy to help. The town of Cody and our attractions remain open to serve and support our community and visitors.

Latest Updates as of October 17, 2022:

• The Northeast Entrance Road (Tower Junction to the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana) is open to regular visitor vehicle traffic.
• The North Loop and South Loop of Yellowstone National Park, accessed from the East (Cody), West (West Yellowstone), and South (Grand Teton/Jackson) entrances, are open. The Alternating License Plate System required for entry has been suspended.
• Most of Yellowstone’s backcountry trails and campsites are open to overnight use. Some trails and campsites will remain closed for damage assessment and repairs.

The following resources can help you stay informed:

• Travel Wyoming Travel Resources & Alerts
• National Park Service – Current Conditions, Yellowstone National Park
• National Park Service – Park Roads, Yellowstone National Park
• Yellowstone National Park Lodges Alerts
• Backcountry Situation Report

Have the Latest Yellowstone Updates Sent Directly to Your Phone
To stay up to date on the latest conditions and closures in Yellowstone National Park, sign up to receive Yellowstone road alerts. Text ‘82190’ to 888-777 for the latest information, or call 307-344-2117.

Updates on Cody
Here in Cody, our attractions, remain open and ready to welcome you. You’ll also find world-class outdoor recreation, beautiful wildlife, and fantastic arts and entertainment. You can explore all there is to see and do in Cody here.

Your Cody Questions, Answered
Is Cody affected by the flooding?
No. The Shoshone River certainly has strong flows right now, but the Buffalo Bill Dam can control just how much water to let out of the reservoir upstream. Additionally, the river is more than 200 feet below the town.

Did Cody receive a lot of rain?
Not compared to other places. The town is more than 100 miles from the park’s North Gate, where the Yellowstone and Gardner Rivers converge, and the worst of the flooding occurred. At close to 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone is huge. In addition, the park has four separate mountain ranges, meaning the weather can vary greatly. Weather reports for the next several days call for a lot of sun and a small chance of rain in Cody.

What park gates do Cody visitors typically use?
Cody is convenient to Yellowstone’s East Gate and Northeast Gate. Day-trippers from town often make a large loop using both gates in a single day.

Have these gates been affected?
The Northeast Gate is located next to the towns of Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana. These towns have been isolated because of the rain. Currently, there is no timetable for reopening the Northeast Gate. To the west of this gate, road damage also occurred in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley. The East Gate is considered part of the park’s southern section and is now open. Park visitors should check with the National Park Service before heading to the park to make sure specific roads are open.

What is there to do in Cody?

Everything you could do on a typical summer day. While Yellowstone is the top draw in northwest Wyoming, there are plenty of other things to do and see. Cody is a destination in its own right, with a rich history and a solid lineup of activities and attractions. Here, you can explore world-class museums and family-friendly activities. And, as the Rodeo Capital of the World, you can experience the Cody Nite Rodeo every night, all summer long, from June 1 to August 31. Outdoor recreation is also a big draw here, with 1,000 miles of trails outside the park equaling the amount inside the park.

Where can I stay in Cody?

Cody has some 40 hotels and motels, 26 guest houses/lodges, 21 RV parks/campgrounds, 14 dude/guest ranches, seven B&Bs, and numerous vacation rentals. Many have received cancellations in wake of the Yellowstone floods, and availability has increased.

How do I get more information or make a reservation?

Cody Yellowstone is the marketing organization for the region and is comprised of the northwestern Wyoming towns of Cody, Powell, and Meeteetse as well as areas inside Yellowstone National Park and the valley east of the entrance. You can go to https://www.codyyellowstone.org/ or call one of the helplines.

How can I help? 
Here in Cody, we have not been impacted by flooding. Other gateway communities have not been so lucky. In Red Lodge, Montana, many locals have lost their homes and businesses. You can help Red Lodge rebuild by making a donation to their recovery efforts.

Your South Loop Questions, Answered

What is the south loop?

Think of the road system in Yellowstone as a giant “figure 8” or an oval with an east/west road running through the middle. The whole oval is known as the Grand Loop, and the top and bottom sections are the north and south loops. Roads from the north, south, east, west and northeast of the Grand Loop connect the park to various towns outside park borders.

Which gates are currently open?

The East, West, and South Gates are open as of June 22 at 8 a.m.

Will everyone be allowed into the park?

No. In an effort to avoid traffic overwhelming this limited portion of the park, the National Park Service is implementing a system where your license plate number will dictate when you may enter through one of the gates. If it is an even number day – like June 22 – only vehicles with plates that end in an even number may enter. The next day the odd numbered vehicles get their turn. Learn more about the Alternating License Plate System (ALPS).

What if my plate ends in a letter?

The last number in the plate will count. For example, if your plate says something like TME4Fun, the 4 is the deciding factor and you may enter on an even day. If your plate is all letters, you will enter on an odd day.

What towns or cities are closest to these gates?

Cody is the gateway to the park from the east, Jackson to the south, and West Yellowstone, Mont. to the west.

What is there to see in the park in the southern section?

Many of the park’s top attractions are open including the Upper, Midway and Lower Geyser Basins. You will still be able to see Old Faithful erupt, mud pots bubble and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River fascinate.