Infos zum Yellowstone NP

Stunning photos, videos from Yellowstone National Park area flooding
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Hier das offizielle Statement des NPS

UPDATE: Yellowstone National Park’s south loop will reopen to the public on June 22
Visitors traveling to park in coming weeks must stay informed about the new interim visitor entry system

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At 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, Yellowstone National Park will begin allowing visitors to access the south loop of the park. The south loop is accessed from the East (Cody), West (West Yellowstone), and South (Grand Teton/Jackson) entrances. Accessible areas include Madison, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake Village, Canyon Village and Norris. As part of reopening planning, 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 park will institute an interim visitor access plan. The interim plan, referred to as the Alternating License Plate System (ALPS), was suggested as a solution by gateway communities during major public engagement with the park this past week. Park managers and partners have agreed this system is the best interim solution to ensuring the south loop does not become overwhelmed by visitors. The National Park Service will actively monitor the license plate system and is concurrently building a new reservation system that will be ready for implementation if needed.

Alternating License Plate System (ALPS)
Public vehicle entry will be allowed based on whether the last numerical digit on a license plate is odd or even.
Entrance will be granted based on odd/even days on the calendar.
Odd-numbered last digits on license plates can enter on odd days of the month.
Even-numbered last digits (including zero) on license plates can enter on even days of the month.
Personalized plates (all letters, for example "YLWSTNE") will fall into the “odd” category for entrance purposes.
Plates with a mix of letters and numbers but that end with a letter (for example "YELL4EVR") will still use the last numerical digit on the plate to determine entrance days.
Entrance station staff will turn away vehicles attempting to enter the park when the odd/even numerical digits do not correspond to the odd/even calendar date for entrance.

Exceptions
Current commercial use operators with active commercial use permits will be permitted to enter regardless of license plate number. This includes commercial tours and stock groups.
Visitors with proof of overnight reservations in the park will be permitted to enter regardless of license plate number. This includes hotels, campgrounds, and backcountry reservations.
Commercial motorcoaches will be permitted to enter regardless of license plate number.
Motorcycle groups may enter on even dates only.
Essential services like mail and deliver, employees and contractors may enter regardless of license plate number.

The interim license plate system will ensure that visitors have access to the park during this period of high demand. Park managers and staff will monitor the license plate system and impacts on resources, infrastructure, operations, and staffing, and may adjust or implement a reservation or timed entry system, if necessary, after three to four weeks.

“Less than six days ago, Yellowstone National Park was hit with devastating floods,” said Superintendent Cam Sholly. “Thanks to the tremendous efforts of our teams and partners, we are prepared to reopen the south loop of Yellowstone. It is impossible to reopen only one loop in the summer without implementing some type of system to manage visitation. My thanks to our gateway partners and others for helping us work out an acceptable temporary solution for the south loop while we continue our efforts to reopen the north loop. As we go through the reopening process, we will monitor the system’s effectiveness and work together to make adjustments that may be necessary. We will also reopen new sections of the park as repairs continue to be made. It is critical for visitors to stay informed about this interim system as we evaluate its effectiveness. They should plan ahead and be patient with us as we are still managing significant recovery while moving into this operational phase.”

OPEN in the south loop as of June 22
Backcountry areas accessible from roads open to the public will be available/restricted for day use only.
Overnight use from trailheads in the south will open July 1.
Visit Camp in Backcountry for details.
Old Faithful, West Thumb, Grant Village, Bridge Bay, Fishing Bridge, Lake Village and Norris visitor services
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center
Canyon Village Visitor Education Center

CLOSED until further notice in the south loop
Canyon Village Lodges and Cabins
Canyon, Madison, Norris and Lewis Lake campgrounds
Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum

Yellowstone staff are working to determine what other potential sections of the park may be reopened prior to roads closing Nov. 1. Decisions will depend on extent of damage and the ability of park managers to safely open additional sections as the year progresses. Park managers are evaluating plans to reopen roads connecting Canyon Village, Tower Junction, Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris; however, this will not happen initially. The park is also working to reconnect Mammoth Hot Springs to Gardiner and Cooke City/Silver Gate as soon as possible with temporary solutions, while long-term reconstruction is planned.

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Flood Recovery and Operations

Update:

National Park Service announces $50 million in emergency funding; expedited plans to reopen 80 percent of Yellowstone

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During a visit to Yellowstone National Park and Gardiner, Montana, on Sunday, June 19, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams with Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly announced $50 million to kick-start recovery efforts from record breaking floods.

They also announced that in addition to the park’s southern loop reopening on June 22, the park’s northern loop is expected to reopen in two weeks or less following completion of clean-up, repairs and final inspection of the northern loop infrastructure. This will allow visitors to access Dunraven Pass, Tower, Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris opening visitor access to approximately 80 percent of Yellowstone National Park. Additional details on access will be announced in the coming weeks.
The initial $50 million will be used to restore temporary access to Gardiner and Cooke City, Montana and other additional sites. Plans are being finalized for improving the Old Gardiner Road for temporary access between Yellowstone and Gardiner, Montana. In partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, road construction crews and materials that were already in the park for a previously scheduled road project to repair 22 miles of the Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb Geyser Basin will be diverted to the Old Gardiner Road project.
The NPS currently anticipates the Old Gardiner Road will be substantially improved over the upcoming months, ensuring that essential emergency services, food, supplies and other administrative needs will be available throughout the winter months. As work proceeds through the summer, the NPS will look for opportunities to restore limited visitor access at the park’s North Entrance. Emergency environmental and historic preservation compliance is underway in accordance with the National Historic Preservation and Environmental Policy Acts. Permanent reconstruction options are being developed and alternatives will be completed in the upcoming months.
In addition to plans to reopen Yellowstone’s northern loop much sooner than initially anticipated, the NPS is working with the Federal Highway Administration on a range of temporary and permanent options to restore access to Silver Gate and Cooke City at the park’s northeast entrance. Currently, the Northeast Entrance Road is impassible between Lamar Valley and Silver Gate. Cost, funding and timelines are not yet available for these short or long-term repairs to the Northeast Entrance Road but will be released as soon as possible.

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UPDATE: Yellowstone National Park to reopen north loop July 2 and suspend Alternating License Plate System, 93% of roadways will be open

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UPDATE: June 30, 2022

Yellowstone National Park to reopen north loop July 2 and suspend Alternating License Plate System, 93% of roadways will be open
Yellowstone National Park will reopen the north loop on Saturday, July 2, to all visitors. In addition to roads in the south loop, visitors will now be able to access:

Norris Junction to Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs to Tower-Roosevelt
Tower-Roosevelt to Canyon Junction (Dunraven Pass)

Visitors can access the south and north loops via the East Entrance (Cody, Wyoming), West Entrance (West Yellowstone, Montana), and South Entrance (Grand Teton/Jackson, Wyoming).

“We're pleased to reopen the north loop of Yellowstone to the visiting public less than three weeks after this major flood event," said Superintendent Cam Sholly. "We have attempted to balance major recovery efforts while reopening as much of the park as possible. We have greatly appreciated the tremendous support of the Department of the Interior; National Park Service; Federal Highway Administration; and our congressional, community, county and state partners."

North loop
Federal Highway Administration engineers have completed final bridge and road safety inspections. Temporary repairs to the wastewater systems have been evaluated and will accommodate day use on the north loop.

The park cautions the public that high water remains in many waterways and to be aware of backcountry closures in the north loop due to hazardous conditions or damaged trails and bridges. Visit Yellowstone’s Backcountry Situation Report for details.

Services in the north loop will include general stores at Tower and Mammoth Hot Springs, and gasoline in both locations. Additional services may open in upcoming weeks. Visit Operating Hours and Seasons for details.

North and Northeast entrances
The North Entrance Road (Gardiner, Montana to Mammoth Hot Springs) and Northeast Entrance Road (Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana to Tower-Roosevelt) remain closed to visitor vehicular traffic while temporary repairs are completed. Visitors may access the park on foot through these entrances in order to recreate (fish and hike) in areas not identified as closed. The park will evaluate authorizing bicycle use through these entrances up to damaged road sections in the near future.

Park staff are working with commercial guides and outfitters in Gardiner and Cooke City/Silver Gate to further expand park access where possible. Yellowstone has reopened a 23-mile segment of the Beartooth Highway (from US-212/WY-296) junction to the ski hill parking lot), providing visitors access to this world-class scenic roadway.

Reconnecting the park to Gardiner and Cooke City/Silver Gate remains Yellowstone's highest flood recovery priority. These communities are open with access to the park as described above.

Alternating License Plate System suspended
Yellowstone implemented the Alternating License Plate System (ALPS) upon reopening the south loop June 22, 2022, to ensure visitor traffic did not overwhelm the south loop. The interim system worked very effectively at moderating traffic within the park, however, with the opening of the north loop and 93% of the road system open, ALPS will be suspended effective July 2. Visitor entrances from East, West, and South will return to normal entrance procedures. Park staff will continue monitoring visitor use data, traffic counts, and the condition of infrastructure over the upcoming months to ensure visitor usage is not overwhelming capacity. The ALPS may be reinstituted if this becomes the case.

Most of Yellowstone's southern backcountry will open to overnight use on Friday, July 1, however some trails and campsites will remain closed for repairs due to flood impacts, high water and bear management closures.

A large portion of the backcountry in the north remains closed as damage assessments continue. Many northern trails have been severely damaged and bridges washed away. Additional backcountry in the northern part of the park will reopen as repairs and final damage assessments are completed.

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Mit Hörnern aufgespießt – Serie von Bison-Angriffen im Yellowstone-Park

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Im Yellowstone-Nationalpark ist schon wieder ein Mensch von einem Bison angegriffen worden. Alle Fälle haben eine Ursache gemeinsam.

Der Yellowstone-Nationalpark macht derzeit mit einer Serie von Bison-Angriffen auf Menschen Schlagzeilen. Grund ist in allen Fällen, dass Menschen den Tieren zu nahe kamen. Die großen stattlichen Wildrinder haben ein ausgeprägtes Territorialverhalten – bei Begegnungen, in denen eine bestimmte Distanz unterschritten wird, greifen sie sofort an.
Jüngstes Opfer ist nach Angaben der Nationalparkverwaltung eine 71-jährige Frau aus Pennsylvania, die sich gemeinsam mit ihrer Tochter unabsichtlich einem Bison genähert habe, als sie zu ihrem Auto zurückgingen. Der Fall werde derzeit noch untersucht.
Der Bison-Bulle sei auf die Frauen losgegangen und habe die 71-Jährige auf die Hörner genommen. Die Frau habe in ein Krankenhaus gebracht werden müssen, ihre Verletzungen seien aber nicht lebensbedrohlich.

Yellowstone-Nationalpark berichtet von drei Bison-Attacken seit Mai
Es ist nach offiziellen Angaben bereits die dritte Attacke durch Bisons auf Menschen im Yellowstone-Nationalpark in diesem Jahr. Ende Mai hatte ein Bison eine 25-Jährige aufgespießt und sie drei Meter durch die Luft geschleudert. Die junge Frau aus Ohio hatte sich nach Angaben des Parks bis auf wenige Meter genähert. Sie erlitt unter anderem Stichwunden.
Und erst am Dienstag dieser Woche war ein 34-jähriger Familienvater aus Colorado angegriffen worden. Er war offiziellen Informationen zufolge mit seiner Familie auf einem Holzsteg unterwegs, als ein Bison-Bulle auf die Gruppe losstürmte. Die Gruppe sei auf ihrem Kurs weiter gegangen, woraufhin das Tier erneut angegriffen habe. Der Mann schaffte es den Berichten zufolge noch, sein Kind aus der Gefahrenzone zu retten, bevor ihn der Bulle auf die Hörner nahm. Er musste mit Armverletzungen ins Krankenhaus.
Die Nationalparkverwaltung warnt ausdrücklich davor, sich den großen Tieren, die bis zu 900 Kilo schwer werden können, zu nähern. Bisons sind die größten Landsäugetiere Nordamerikas – und zählen wohl auch zu den gefährlichsten, da sie auf große Geschwindigkeiten beschleunigen können. Laut der Nationalparkverwaltung können sie knapp 50 Stundenkilometer schnell rennen – das ist deutlich mehr, als Menschen schaffen.
Selbst erfahrene Ranger machen lieber einen großen Bogen um die Tiere anstatt die Angriffsdistanz zu unterschreiten. Kommt man einem ein Bison doch zu nahe, soll man weggehen oder wegrennen, so die Empfehlung, auf keinen Fall aber sich dem Tier entgegen stellen. Folge der Bison, könne man sich mit Bärenabwehrspray verteidigen.

Weglaufen hilft - zumindest bei Bison-Begegnungen
Auf keinen Fall sollte man den Tieren näher als 75 Fuß kommen, warnen die Wildtier-Experten. Das sind umgerechnet etwa 23 Meter. Unterschreitet man diese Distanz, reagieren Bisons mit heftigen und sehr aggressiven Attacken, wie in den aktuellen drei Fällen geschehen. "Bisons haben im Yellowstone mehr Menschen verletzt als jedes andere Tier. Sie sind unberechenbar und können dreimal so schnell laufen wie Menschen", warnt die Nationalparkverwaltung.
Im Yellowstone-Nationalpark, der etwa 9000 Quadratkilometer groß ist und hauptsächlich in Wyoming liegt, leben rund 5000 dieser majestätischen Tiere, aufgeteilt in zwei Herden. Medienangaben zufolge ist es die größte Anzahl von Bisons auf öffentlichem Land in den USA. Bisons, die einst fast ausgerottet wurden, gibt es auch in mehreren Nationalparks in Kanada.

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Yellowstone road repairs to begin soon at both ends

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A Montana-grown construction business could begin repairing the flood-damaged road through Yellowstone National Park that connects the North and Northeast entrances next week.
Oftedal Construction has bid to make temporary repairs to the damaged roadway. The employee-owned company has offices in Miles City and Casper, Wyoming.
The goal is to have the route entirely reopened to public traffic by October.
The highway is vital to the residents of Cooke City and Silver Gate, at the Northeast Entrance, since it provides the only road to the mountain towns in the winter. It is also the only road open to automobiles in Yellowstone in the winter, so it’s popular with wildlife watchers.
Heavy runoff from a rain-on-snowpack event in mid-June damaged the roadway, gouging out large sections that prompted officials to temporarily close the entire park while an assessment was undertaken. More than 90% of the park has reopened to visitors, although the North and Northeast entrances remain closed along with a large section of backcountry between the two park gates.

Long-term
Permanent repairs of the roadway may take three to five years, with options being drawn up by the Park Service for public review.
The other temporary road repair is to the Old Gardiner Road at the North Entrance, being undertaken by HK Contractors of Idaho Falls. The route is currently being used by park employees and commercial contractors at defined times to avoid construction work delays. The old gravel road is being widened to two lanes and paved to connect Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, which is where Yellowstone National Park’s headquarters are located.
Cam Sholly, Yellowstone National Park superintendent, is hoping the work on both sections of roadway can be completed by the fall, allowing public traffic to resume. Single lane traffic, controlled by a stoplight, may be necessary on parts of the route through the Lamar Valley, he recently told area residents and business owners.
If the road repairs can’t be completed by this fall, the Park Service in concert with the Montana and Wyoming departments of transportation, will make plans to “plow the plug.” The plug is a section of Highway 212 that is closed to auto traffic in the winter, creating a popular snowmobiling trail. Some snowmobile-dependent businesses in Cooke City are worried that if the plug is plowed, snowmobilers may not visit, since it will hamper snowmobile access to the surrounding mountains.
Even if the temporary roadway through Yellowstone is finished in time for winter travel, vehicle length restrictions may be necessary on the narrow, winding Old Gardiner Road. Also questionable is whether the Mammoth Hotel would be reopened for the winter season, since it is reliant on the park’s septic service, which was severed in the flooding.
For now, the Park Service is using old settling ponds as a temporary solution while it works to reconnect its service lines, which travel to the Gardiner wastewater treatment plant. The ponds cannot be used once the weather turns cold since the water will freeze.

Northeast
Unlike the upgrading taking place at the Old Gardiner Road, the repairs near the Northeast Entrance involve several sections of roadway. In some places, a new route will be built away from the old highway, damaged by high waters in Soda Butte Creek, Pebble Creek and the Lamar River. One repair involves the installation of a temporary bridge to span a 750-foot gouge.
Oftedal will be working from both ends of the damaged roadway to speed the construction. As work is completed, Sholly said the Park Service may be able to incrementally reopen the roadway to the public, expanding access to Yellowstone as construction crews make progress.
Right now, public access to the park at the North and Northeast entrances is allowed only for cyclists or walkers to travel a short distance. Some tour operators and outfitters are being allowed access over the Old Gardiner Road, but at controlled times to limit disruption of the ongoing construction work.
The Park Service on Wednesday announced the opening of the road from Tower Junction to Slough Creek, a six-mile stretch, to bikers, hikers and anglers. Visitors will be able to park at Tower Junction.
The park is finalizing a day-use reservation system for visitor vehicle access which will be online by Aug. 1, allowing reservation holders day-use access with their vehicles. Permits would be available at recreation.gov.

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Yellowstone National Park flood recovery: Timelines for North Entrance and Northeast Entrance roads

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Yellowstone National Park continues to make major progress with short- and long-term efforts to reconnect the park to Gardiner and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana.

In mid-June, Yellowstone experienced a 500-year flood event that caused severe damage to roads, water and wastewater systems, power lines and other critical park infrastructure. The most significant damage severed access to the park via the North Entrance and Northeast Entrance roads. One month after the historic event and the park closing temporarily, 93% of park roadways were reopened.

The park asks the public to understand the differences in timelines between short-term construction solutions that will reopen the North Entrance and Northeast Entrance roads to the public later this year, and the long-term reconstruction efforts that will take place over the upcoming years.

North Entrance Road (Mammoth Hot Springs to the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana)
Short-term Reconnection (Completion expected in October 2022)
Efforts to two-lane the Old Gardiner Road have continued accelerating with approximately 1.5 miles of the 4-mile road already at two lanes. Substantial culvert work, slope stabilization and retainment has occurred. This road is expected to be passable for regular traffic by Oct. 15, 2022, however, additional improvements will continue beyond that date weather permitting. Once completed, this temporary road will allow for regular vehicle access, including visitors, to travel between Mammoth Hot Springs and Gardiner going into the winter season. This road will be used as the primary access route until a permanent reconstruction option is completed in upcoming years. This project is being completed with support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and funded largely by FHWA Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO). HK Contractors Inc. is the primary construction company under contract to complete this project.

Long-term Reconstruction (Estimated Multi-Year)
The National Park Service (NPS) is working closely with the FHWA to prepare and analyze a range of long-term alternatives for permanent reconstruction of the primary road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Gardiner. This road is closed and not drivable due to several washed out road segments. The criteria for selection will focus largely on alternatives that are least environmentally impacting, least visually impacting, most resilient to future natural disasters, most expeditious and cost effective, and take advantage of unimpacted existing road infrastructure if possible. Timelines for long-term reconstruction will be predicated on which alternative is selected. The public will have ample opportunities to comment as this planning process proceeds.

Northeast Entrance Road (Completion expected in October 2022)
Efforts to repair approximately five damaged sections of the Northeast Entrance Road (between Slough Creek and Barronette Meadows) are underway and will be accelerating substantially in the upcoming weeks. Plans and designs have been completed for each damaged section. This project is expected to be passable for regular traffic by Oct. 15, 2022, however, additional improvements will continue beyond that date weather permitting. Once completed, these temporary repairs will allow for regular vehicle access, including visitors, to travel between Tower Junction and Cooke City/Silver Gate. This project is being completed with support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and funded largely by FHWA Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO). Oftedal Contractors Inc. is the primary construction company under contract to complete this project.

Long-term Reconstruction (Estimated Multi-Year)
The NPS is working closely with the FHWA to prepare and analyze a range of long-term alternatives for permanent reconstruction of the Northeast Entrance Road. Similar to the North Entrance Road, the criteria for selection will focus largely on alternatives that are least environmentally impacting, least visually impacting, most resilient to future natural disasters, most expeditious and cost effective, and take advantage of unimpacted existing road infrastructure if possible. Timelines for long-term reconstruction will be predicated on which alternative is selected. The public will have ample opportunity to comment as this planning process proceeds.

Repairs for the North and Northeast Entrance roads are extensive (see damage on Yellowstone Flickr) and being done as quickly as possible. Should timelines change going into the fall due to early winter weather or other events, Yellowstone will communicate with the public and stakeholders.

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Parkmitarbeiter findet menschlichen Fuß in heißer Quelle schwimmend

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Schaurige Entdeckung im Yellowstone-Nationalpark im US-Bundesstaat Wyoming: Ein Aufseher hat in dem bis zu 60 Grad heißen Abyss Pool den Fuß eines Menschen gefunden, inklusive Schuh.

Im Süden des Yellowstone-Nationalparks im US-Bundesstaat Wyoming ist ein menschlicher Fuß gefunden worden. Ein Mitarbeiter habe ihn am Dienstag im Abyss Pool, einer der heißen Quellen des Naturschutzgebietes, entdeckt, teilte Parksprecherin Morgan Warthin am Donnerstag (Ortszeit) mit. Der Fuß habe noch in einem Schuh gesteckt.
Der Abyss Pool befindet sich westlich des West-Thumb-Geysir-Beckens, dem größten Geysir-Becken am Ufer des Yellowstone Lake. Der schaurige Fund habe zur vorübergehenden Schließung des Beckens und des dazugehörigen Parkplatzes geführt, berichtet die Nachrichtenagentur Associated Press (AP). Mittlerweile sei das Gebiet aber wieder frei zugänglich. Wegen des Fundes sei allerdings eine Untersuchung eingeleitet worden. Bislang gebe es aber keine weiteren Informationen über den Fuß.
Nach Angaben der Nationalparkverwaltung der USA gehört der Abyss Pool mit einer Tiefe von 16 Metern zu den tiefsten heißen Quellen des Yellowstone-Parks. Seine Temperatur liege bei etwa 60 Grad Celsius, erklärten Park-Mitarbeiter gegenüber AP.

Yellowstone-Park warnt vor Gefahr durch heiße Quellen
In heißen Quellen kühlt das überhitzte Wasser ab, wenn es die Oberfläche erreicht, sinkt nach unten und wird durch heißeres Wasser von unten ersetzt. Durch die Zirkulation werde verhindert, dass das Wasser die für die Entstehung eines Geysirs erforderliche Temperatur erreicht, heißt es auf der Internetseite des Parks.
Heiße Quellen gehören zu den berühmtesten Attraktionen des Yellowstone-Parks, sie können aber auch gefährlich, ja sogar tödlich sein. "Heiße Quellen haben im Yellowstone mehr Menschen verletzt oder getötet als jede andere natürliche Besonderheit", heißt es in einem Warnhinweis der Parkverwaltung. Im Juni 2016 wurde ein 23 Jahre alter Mann aus Oregon getötet und sein Körper quasi aufgelöst, nachdem er ein gesperrtes Gebiet betreten hatte und in eine kochende, säurehaltige Quelle gefallen war.
Der Mann hatte zusammen mit seiner Schwester eine heiße Quelle zum Baden gesucht, sich nach unten gebeugt, um die Wassertemperatur zu überprüfen, und war dabei ausgerutscht und hineingefallen. Helfer fanden später seine Leiche im Pool, konnten sie aber wegen eines Gewitters in der Gegend nicht bergen. Als sie am nächsten Tag zurückkamen, konnten sie in dem aufgewühlten, sauren Wasser der Quelle keine menschlichen Überreste mehr finden.

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Yellowstone National Park flood recovery updates: Yellowstone to suspend Tower Junction to Slough Creek visitor vehicle day-use tickets

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Beginning Sept. 8, Yellowstone National Park will no longer require visitors to obtain a day-use ticket to drive the 6-mile road corridor between Tower Junction and Slough Creek. The park piloted the day-use program Aug. 3 to expand access to this impacted area in the northern part of Yellowstone following the historic flood event in June. After closely monitoring use in the area, the park found the corridor could safely maintain an increase in day-use capacity.

This road corridor is essentially a dead-end, and people driving large vehicles (buses, long towing units etc.) are asked to be aware that turnaround areas along the Slough Creek Campground Road are limited.

The only section of the Northeast Entrance Road open is from Tower Junction to Slough Creek. The remainder of the Northeast Entrance Road (Lamar Valley east to the barrier near Warm Creek) is closed to all traffic due to significant flood damage. The North (Gardiner, Montana) and Northeast (Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana) entrances are closed with limited access (see below) due to significant flood damage. Visitors wanting to drive the Tower Junction to Slough Creek road corridor will need to enter the park through the West, South or East entrances.

Additional information
Tower Junction to Slough Creek open to public
Some trails and backcountry campsites in the northern range of the park near this road corridor are closed due to flood damage. Know before you go! Visit Yellowstone’s Backcountry Situation Report for the most up-to-date details.
Slough Creek Campground is closed for the season.

Lamar Valley closed to public
The Northeast Entrance Road between Lamar Valley and the barrier near Warm Creek (2 miles from the Northeast Entrance), is closed to all vehicle, bicycle and foot traffic while major construction repairs are made. This section of road is an active construction zone, and the closure is expected to stay in place until Oct. 15 to allow contractors to complete work prior to winter.

North and Northeast entrances closed to visitor vehicular traffic
Yellowstone’s North and Northeast entrances remain closed to visitor vehicular traffic; however, access is available by approved commercial tours, bicycle (on paved roadways) and foot through the North (Gardiner, Montana) and Northeast (Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana) entrances to fish and hike in areas not identified as closed.
From the North Entrance, visitors can travel 1 mile to the Rescue Creek Trailhead.
From the Northeast Entrance, visitors can travel 2 miles to the barrier near the Warm Creek area.
The temporary road (Old Gardiner Road) that connects Gardiner, Montana, to Mammoth Hot Springs is an active construction zone and closed until Oct. 15 to allow contractors to complete work prior to winter. At this time, ONLY approved personnel and commercial tours are allowed on the Old Gardiner Road in specific traffic windows.

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Flood Recovery Updates: Yellowstone National Park moves Old Gardiner Road opening to no later than Nov. 1, 2022

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Yellowstone National Park in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration has determined that the Old Gardiner Road (a limited-access road between Gardiner, Montana and Mammoth Hot Springs) will open to regular traffic no later than Nov. 1, 2022. The two-lane project will be extended up to two weeks to ensure over 5,000 feet of guardrail are properly installed for traffic safety. Additionally, Yellowstone asked the Federal Highway Administration to build a new ¼-mile approach road into Mammoth Hot Springs after the project was underway to avoid a 12-15% steep grade on the original road. This new approach has required additional engineering and design to provide a safe road base to handle the 2,000-3,000 vehicles per day that enter the park from the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana. Yellowstone has also asked the Federal Highway Administration to expand road widths in certain sections of the Old Gardiner Road to prevent restrictions.

"We have set incredibly aggressive time frames for these repairs and our contractors have worked at lightning speed to get this road safely reopened," said Superintendent Cam Sholly. "It's essential that we do not cut corners and we ensure the road meets required safety standards prior to opening. It's also essential that we finish the job correctly, so we avoid any problems going into next year."

The Old Gardiner Road was determined to be the best and only option to quickly reconnect Mammoth Hot Springs to Gardiner, Montana, after the floods in mid-June. Originally established as an 1880’s stagecoach route, the single-lane dirt road has been expanded to two lanes over its entire 4-mile length. The new approach road coming into Mammoth Hot Springs is under construction. Paving is expected to begin the week of Oct. 1 and nearly 1 mile of guardrail will be installed between Oct. 10 and Oct. 20. If the Old Gardiner Road is completed prior to Nov. 1, the park will open it to public travel sooner.
Yellowstone is coordinating with Montana and Wyoming and a 7-mile section of road between Cooke City and the Pilot Creek Trailhead (known locally as the plug) will be plowed, if necessary, until the Old Gardiner Road is completed. This will ensure continued access to the communities of Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana.

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