Xanterra Travel Collection announced that operations in Yellowstone National Park including lodges, campgrounds, dining and tours will begin a phased re-opening on a limited basis starting Jun. 1. The decision to re-open was made after closely monitoring the guidance and recommendations of public health agencies such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) as well as federal, state and local governments. The National Park Service (NPS) began the first phase of reopening Yellowstone National Park on May 18, opening the South and East entrances in the state of Wyoming. On May 28, it was announced that the remaining three entrances (North, Northeast, and West) will open on Jun. 1 at 10 a.m.
Visitors should come prepared and follow all CDC and local health guidance including practicing good hygiene and social distancing, wearing facial coverings in public spaces, and staying home and not visiting the park while sick.
At this time, only cabins with private baths are scheduled to open at the following locations. Old Faithful Inn, Grant Village and Roosevelt Lodge are currently closed but may reopen in 2020 if conditions allow.
Old Faithful Lodge (Jun. 8-Oct. 4)
Old Faithful Snow Lodge (Jun. 8-Oct. 25)
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel (Jun. 1-Nov. 1)
Lake Yellowstone Hotel (Jun. 17-Oct. 4)
Lake Lodge (Jun. 17-Sept. 2)
Canyon Lodge (Jun. 19-Oct. 12
Xanterra campgrounds are currently scheduled to open as follows:
Madison (Jun. 15-Oct. 18)
Bridge Bay (Jun. 17-Sept. 7)
Grant Village (Jun. 17-Sept. 13)
Canyon (Jun. 19-Sept. 20)
Fishing Bridge RV Park will remain closed through fall of 2021
Select dining outlets as outlined below will be open with “take out” options only. Based on current public health guidelines, dining room seating and dinner reservations are not available.
Mammoth Hot Springs Area:
Terrace Grill (Jun. 1-Oct. 12), take out only food and beverages including beer and wine
Old Faithful Area
Geyser Grill at Snow Lodge (May 22-Oct. 25), take out only food and beverages including beer and wine
Old Faithful Lodge Bake Shop (Jun. 8-Oct. 4), take out only light meals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria (Jun. 8-Oct. 3), take out only food and beverages including beer and wine
Canyon Area
The Eatery at Canyon Lodge (Jun. 19-Oct. 12), take out only food and beverages including beer and wine
Yellowstone Lake Area
Wiley’s Canteen at Lake Lodge (Jun. 17-Oct. 4), take out only food and non-alcoholic beverages
Lake Lodge Lobby Bar (Jun. 17-Oct. 3), take out only beverages including beer, wine, and cocktails
Grant Village Area
Grant Village Dining Room (Jun. 17-Sept. 13), take out only food and beverages including beer and wine
Tours and activities will be limited to guide boats, boat rentals, backcountry shuttle, and dock slips at the marina, horseback rides at Canyon Lodge Corral, and bike rentals at Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Road-based tours, Scenicruise tours, Stagecoach rides, or the Old West Cookout will not be offered. Pricing and other details can be found online.
Bike Rentals at Old Faithful Snow Lodge (Jun. 8-Sept. 7 or as weather permits, reservations not accepted)
Bridge Bay Marina/Dock Slips (Jun. 17-Sept. 13)
Boat Rentals (Jun. 17-Sept. 6, first come, first served, reservations not accepted)
Guided Fishing/Sightseeing Boats (Jun. 17-Sept 13)
Backcountry Shuttle Boat (Jun. 17-Sept. 13)
Canyon Lodge Corrals, Horseback Rides (Jun. 18-Sept. 7)
Private Tours: Yellowstone Forever is the official nonprofit educational and fund-raising partner of Yellowstone National Park. Information about their private tours can be found here or by calling 406-848-2400.
Select Xanterra gift stores in the following locations will be open, but with controlled access to comply with distancing standards:
Mammoth Hotel (Jun. 1-Oct. 12)
Old Faithful Snow Lodge (May 22-Nov. 1)
Old Faithful Lodge (Jun. 8-Oct. 4)
Lake Yellowstone Hotel (Jun. 17-Oct. 4)
Canyon Lodge (Jun .19- Oct. 12)
Lake Lodge (Jun. 17-Oct. 4)
Madison Campground (Jun. 15-Oct. 18)
For updates on the opening of Xanterra operations in Yellowstone National Park, visit https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/health-and-safety/. For reservations on or after June 8, visit https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/, or call 307-344-7311. For updates on the three-phased plan for re-opening Yellowstone National Park as well as the latest information on NPS operations in Yellowstone, visit www.nps.gov/yell.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
Featured photo: Xanterra Travel Collection
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