With winter coming, this Yellowstone coyote doesn't have too much traffic to worry about/NPS, Jacob W. Frank

Need proof that winter is moving in? Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park has closed for the season, most roads in Yellowstone National Park are closing this weekend to wheeled vehicles, and visitor services are going into hibernation at Glacier National Park.

Trail Ridge Road closed for the winter on October 24. The road is not designed to be an all-season road, with 11 miles above 11,500 feet and few guard rails and no shoulder. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds, and below freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet. Weather permitting, Trail Ridge Road will remain open to Many Parks Curve on the east side of the park and to Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park.

Trail Ridge Road normally opens the last week in May, weather permitting. This year Trail Ridge Road opened on June 5, after numerous May snowstorms brought significant snow and drifting above 11,500 feet. Elsewhere in Rocky Mountain, the most popular destinations for this time of year -- including Bear Lake Road, Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park and the section of Trail Ridge Road along the Kawuneeche Valley -- are all open.

At Yellowstone, this weekend provides the last chance for visitors to drive to many iconic locations in Yellowstone. The West, South, and East Entrances and all roads, with one exception, will close to vehicle travel at 8 a.m. Monday, November 4, so the park can prepare them for the winter season and snowmobile and snowcoach travel, which will begin Sunday, December 15.

The one exception is the road from the park’s North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs to the park’s Northeast Entrance and the communities of Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana. This road is open all year, weather-permitting. Travel east of Cooke City is not possible from late fall to spring because a segment of US 212 (Beartooth Highway) between Cooke City and Pilot Creek is closed to vehicle travel.

If you plan to drive to and in the park during the fall and winter, you should have flexible travel plans and prepare for changing weather conditions. Temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice. Visit Park Roads for the status of Yellowstone roads. Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone, text "82190" to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).

In Glacier, while the park is accessible to the public year-round, fall and winter are seasons with low visitation, limited access, and reduced services. This time of year demands increased planning and preparation to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.

The boating season is coming to a close in Glacier National Park. All remaining open waters, including Lake McDonald, Bowman Lake, and Kintla Lake, close to boating on November 1. Similar to 2019, west side waters will reopen to boating in May 2020 and east side waters will reopen in early June 2020. Precise dates will be released in early spring.

Most campgrounds have closed for the season. The Apgar Campground, located in the Apgar Picnic Area during the winter, and St. Mary Campground remain open year-round in primitive or winter status, which means that no running water is available. Potable water is unavailable on the east side of the park during the winter. For more information about Glacier’s campgrounds, visit the park’s campground status webpage.