Question 1

What if I have dining reservations (but no overnight reservations) at an in-park lodge on a date that does not correlate with my license plate number?

Accepted Answer

There will not be an exception for visitors with dining reservations. Please call Yellowstone National Park Lodges to reschedule your dining reservation.

Question 2

How do we prove multiple vehicles are in the same group staying in overnight accommodations in the park?

Accepted Answer

Each vehicle associated with an overnight reservation should have a digital or printed copy of their reservation. Please print or download these in advance, as cell service and data is unavailable or limited at entrance stations.

Question 3

What if I have an overnight reservation in another gateway community?

Accepted Answer

You may travel through the park to another gateway community only on days that you have the correct license plate.

Question 4

I have a one-night camping reservation in the park. Will that reservation allow entry on both the check-in and check-out date? For example, can I exit and re-enter the park on my check-out day?

Accepted Answer

No, you may not enter the park on your check-out day unless your license plate corresponds with the date.

Question 5

Will visitors with reservations for lodging/campgrounds that will no longer be open be exempt from the ALPS rules?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 6

What if I have a tour reservation that leaves from inside the park? Will I still be able to enter the park to get to the tour, and what will I need to show at the entrance station?

Accepted Answer

If you have a tour reservation that leaves from inside the park (i.e. photography tour, horseback ride, boat tour, etc.), you will need to show your tour or booking receipt to the entrance station for entry on the day of your tour if you don’t have a license plate that corresponds to the date.

Question 7

What if I’m driving a vehicle with an in-transit/invoice license plate?

Accepted Answer

Temporary and in-transit or other similar tags should follow ALPS and use the last digit to determine entry date. If the temporary tag or in-transit tag has no number, it will be treated like a vanity plate.

Question 8

What if I don’t have a license plate?

Accepted Answer

Vehicles without plates should not be on the road and will not be allowed to enter the park. If a vehicle is in transit to a rental car company, the operator should be able to produce the transit tag or paperwork. If no number is on that transit tag, it will be treated like a vanity plate.

Question 9

Why doesn’t Yellowstone just use the same reservation system as other national parks?

Accepted Answer

Prior to implementing ALPS, Yellowstone conducted extensive outreach to the public and gateway communities, including conversations with over 1000 businesses. Communities and the public preferred the ALPS primarily because it provides some level of certainty to visitors; people will be able to rely on entering the park for approximately half of their planned visit. Yellowstone has developed a timed entry reservation similar to those used at other parks and can implement if ALPS does not meet the intended goals.

Question 10

Will entrance stations still be open 24/7?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 11

Why are certain campgrounds closed during the south loop reopening?

Accepted Answer

Some campgrounds in the south loop remain closed due to limitations on staffing and operations.

Question 12

When will facilities that are currently closed re-open?

Accepted Answer

Please visit Operating Hours and Seasons for updated information on openings and operations. For flood-specific updates, visit Flood Recovery and Operations.

Question 13

Can I cut through the park to save travel time on a day that does not correlate with my license plate number?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 14

When will park entrance passes be available for purchase again online?

Accepted Answer

Online passes will not be available online for the remainder of ALPS because digital passes are difficult to refund.

Question 15

How did Yellowstone decide on implementing the Alternating License Plate System (ALPS)?

Accepted Answer

Since June 13, 2022, park staff have engaged over 1,000 business owners, park partners, commercial operators and residents in surrounding gateway communities to determine how to manage summer visitation while the north loop remains closed due to flood damage. To balance the demand for visitor access, park resource protection, and economic interests of the communities, the Alternating License Plate System was suggested by gateway communities as an interim solution during major public engagement with the park. Park managers and partners have agreed the ALPS system is the best interim solution to ensure the south loop does not become overwhelmed by visitors. In case the ALPS system does not work as planned, the National Park Service is concurrently building a new reservation system that will be ready for implementation.

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