Seasonal closure · US-212 · Montana and Wyoming

Is US 212 between Pilot Creek and Cooke City open?

These 9 miles close to cars in winter and are usually open mid-May to early November. The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296) stays open all year from WY-120 to Pilot Creek. Below: what the MDT 511 and WYDOT feed is posting for US-212 right now, and the dates the National Park Service gives, quoted from its own page.

Posted for US-212 right nowMDT 511 and WYDOT via MileCheck · loading

Reading the MDT 511 and WYDOT feed…

Reports whose route is US-212, or whose text names the road from Pilot Creek to Cooke City. Reloads every five minutes. Ramp, lane and shoulder reports are labeled, not counted as closures.

Usually closes: Early November
Usually reopens: Mid-May
Closure segment: 9 miles from Cooke City to Pilot Creek closed to wheeled vehicles in winter; open year-round WY-120 to Pilot Creek Parking Lot (4 miles toward Cooke City from the WY-296/US-212 junction)
2026-27 dates: No 2026-27 dates were posted on the source page when it was read.
Who decides: The National Park Service, with MDT 511 and WYDOT posting the state highway.

What the National Park Service says

“In winter, 9 miles of road are closed to wheeled vehicles (oversnow travel only) from Cooke City to Pilot Creek. This segment of road is open to wheeled vehicles mid-May through early November.”

Source: www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm, read October 15, 2026.

Forest Service: www.fs.usda.gov/media/52325.

Where to look next

Official source

MDT 511

Montana's DOT traveler site. The list of record for closures, restrictions and detours.

Official source

WYDOT

Wyoming's DOT traveler site. The list of record for closures, restrictions and detours.

Winter roundup

Which roads close for winter in Montana?

Every seasonal closure MileCheck lists for Montana, with the dates each agency gives.

Winter roundup

Which roads close for winter in Wyoming?

Every seasonal closure MileCheck lists for Wyoming, with the dates each agency gives.

Road conditions

Montana road conditions

Every closure and crash MDT 511 is posting, on one map with the mile marker.

Road conditions

Wyoming road conditions

Every closure and crash WYDOT is posting, on one map with the mile marker.

Cameras

Montana highway cameras

Every MDT 511 camera on one map, with the route and mile marker where the DOT gives one.

Questions, answered

When does the road from Pilot Creek to Cooke City close for the winter?

Early November That is what the National Park Service publishes, read October 15, 2026. The gate goes in when the snow does, so the date moves from year to year. No 2026-27 dates were posted on the source page when it was read.

When does the road from Pilot Creek to Cooke City reopen?

Mid-May Plowing and avalanche work set the day, and the agency announces it when the road is ready.

Where exactly does it close?

9 miles from Cooke City to Pilot Creek closed to wheeled vehicles in winter; open year-round WY-120 to Pilot Creek Parking Lot (4 miles toward Cooke City from the WY-296/US-212 junction). The rest of US-212 is handled like any other road in Montana and Wyoming.

Where do I check whether the road from Pilot Creek to Cooke City is open today?

MDT 511 and WYDOT are the official source for the state highway. The block at the top of this page reads the same MDT 511 and WYDOT feed every five minutes and lists what is posted for US-212. If the feed cannot be reached, the page says so instead of showing an empty list.

Does the MileCheck app show this closure?

The app shows the same MDT 511 and WYDOT alerts on your route, ahead of your position, with the mile marker you are passing. The mile marker works offline in all 50 states. Live alerts are part of MileCheck Premium.

Know exactly where you are — live

Your mile marker shows even offline. MDT 511 and WYDOT alerts on your route and the nearest camera are part of MileCheck Premium and need a connection to update. Runs on CarPlay and Android Auto.

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