National Park Opening Dates 2026: When Roads and Trails Open

Every spring, hikers and road-trippers face the same question: when can I actually get in? Most national parks are technically open year-round, but the roads, trails, campgrounds, and facilities that make them accessible close for winter and reopen on schedules dictated by snowpack, plowing crews, and budgets. A park that is “open” on paper may have its best trails and scenic drives buried under snow until June.

Here is a park-by-park breakdown of the major 2026 opening dates, drawn from NPS announcements and concessioner schedules. All dates are subject to change based on weather and conditions.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone operates on a phased opening schedule that stretches from mid-April through late May.

North Entrance (Gardiner, MT): Open year-round. This is the only entrance accessible by car in winter.
West Entrance and interior roads to Norris, Madison, Canyon, and Old Faithful: Reopened to cars and RVs on April 17, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.
East Entrance and roads to Canyon and Fishing Bridge: Opens May 8, 2026.
South Entrance to Grant Village, West Thumb, and Fishing Bridge: Opens May 8, 2026.
Dunraven Pass (Tower Fall to Canyon) and Beartooth Highway: Targeted for May 22, 2026, weather permitting.

Old Faithful Inn is expected to open in early May. Campgrounds begin opening in May on a rolling basis. For trail options in the early season, see our complete Yellowstone hiking guide and backcountry guide.

Glacier National Park

The centerpiece of Glacier is Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 52-mile engineering marvel that typically opens fully between mid-June and early July, depending on how quickly plowing crews can clear Logan Pass. In some heavy snow years, the road has not fully opened until mid-July.

Before the road opens to motor vehicles, Glacier runs its popular hiker and biker season, allowing pedestrians and cyclists onto plowed sections. This is one of the best ways to experience the road without crowds.

The NPS has not yet announced whether Going-to-the-Sun Road will require vehicle reservations in 2026. In previous years, the corridor required advance reservations from late May through early September. Check NPS.gov/glac closer to your travel dates. Our Glacier trail guide and Highline Trail guide cover hiking options once the road opens.

Grand Teton National Park

Teton Park Road (Taggart Lake to Signal Mountain): Opened to pedestrians, cyclists, and runners on March 26, 2026. Expected to open to motor vehicles May 1, 2026, weather permitting.
Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center: Daily operations begin April 10, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The early non-motorized access to Teton Park Road is a local favorite for spring cycling and running with dramatic Teton views and no car traffic. For trail planning, see our Grand Teton trail guide.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Trail Ridge Road: The highest continuous paved road in North America typically opens for the season in late May, though the exact date depends on plowing progress and weather. In recent years, opening has ranged from May 22 to June 1.
Timed Entry Reservations: Rocky Mountain’s timed-entry system returns for 2026, running from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October for the Bear Lake Road Corridor. Reservations open on Recreation.gov on a rolling basis.

Our Rocky Mountain National Park alpine trails guide and beginner trails guide cover routes at all elevations. For reservation logistics, see our national park reservations 2026 guide.

Grand Canyon National Park

South Rim: Open year-round with full services.
North Rim: The North Rim typically opens for the season on May 15. For 2026, the NPS has confirmed the North Rim entrance station, lodge, campground, and visitor center will open May 15.
North Kaibab Trail: Reopens to foot traffic May 15, 2026. Cottonwood Campground also reopens on this date.

The South Rim’s Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails are accessible year-round, though spring brings the best temperatures for inner-canyon hiking. See our Grand Canyon South Rim day hikes guide and rim-to-rim guide.

Denali National Park

Denali Park Road: Opened for the spring season on February 14, 2026, through Mountain Vista Rest Area at mile marker 12.
Full road access deeper into the park depends on snow conditions and maintenance. The road beyond mile 43 has been closed to private vehicles for several years due to the Pretty Rocks landslide, with bus access only.

See our Denali hiking guide for trail information and logistics.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Valley: Open year-round with full services.
Tioga Road (Highway 120): The high-country road to Tuolumne Meadows typically opens between late May and mid-June. Historical opening dates from NPS.gov show considerable variability, with some years opening as late as July after heavy snow winters.
Glacier Point Road: Usually opens in late April to mid-May, depending on plowing.

Yosemite has discontinued its timed-entry vehicle reservation system for 2026. The park recorded 35 inches of settled snow at Tuolumne Meadows as of January 21, which suggests healthy waterfall flows and a moderate snow-clearing timeline. See our Yosemite Valley hikes guide and Half Dome guide.

Other Notable Parks

Park	Key Opening	Notes
Crater Lake	Rim Drive typically late June-early July	North Entrance road opens when snow allows
Mount Rainier	Paradise Road open year-round; Sunrise Road opens late June	Trail guide
North Cascades	Highway 20 typically reopens mid-May	Trail guide
Bryce Canyon	Open year-round; some roads may close for snow	Trail guide
Shenandoah	Skyline Drive open year-round; winter closures possible	Trail guide

How to Check Current Conditions

NPS.gov: Each park’s website has a “Plan Your Visit” section with current road and trail status.
Recreation.gov: Required for reservations and some backcountry permits.
NPS App: Provides real-time alerts for closures and hazards.
AllTrails: Community trip reports often provide the most current trail-level conditions.

Road openings shift every year. Bookmark the NPS pages for your target parks and check them the week before your trip. For general permit and reservation guidance, see our national park permit guide.