Historic flooding earlier this year resulted in limited access to many areas of Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park
loading...

Yellowstone National Park has been working with the Federal Highway Administration throughout the summer to restore access from Gardiner, MT to Mammoth Hot Springs via Old Gardiner Road.

Get our free mobile app

According to a press release from YNP, Old Gardiner Road 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.

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park
loading...

Here's what YNP Superintendent Cam Sholly said about the project:

We have set incredibly aggressive time frames for these repairs and our contractors have worked at lightning speed to get this road safely reopened. 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.

Park officials determined that the Old Gardiner road was the best and only way to quickly reconnect Mammoth Hot Springs to Gardiner after the floods in mid-June.

The road was originally established as an 1880s stagecoach route, and the single-lane dirt road has since been expanded to two lanes over its 4-mile length.

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park
loading...

Paving is expected to begin this week 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.

The Northeast Entrance Road (Tower Junction to the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City/Silver Gate) is expected to open as planned, on Oct. 15, to regular traffic.

25 Mind-Blowing Photos of Devastating Flooding in Montana

20 Mind-Blowing Photos of Devastating Flooding in Montana

Yellowstone National Park Rebuilds After Historic Flooding

After catastrophic flooding damaged portions of Yellowstone National Park in June of 2022, major reconstruction was necessary to make the park passable again. The following are photos of the improvement projects at Old Gardiner Road and the Northeast Entrance Road. All photos are courtesy of the National Park Service, photographer Jacob W. Frank.

Adventures of Yellowstone National Park! Pictures That Make You Love The Park!

A trip to Yellowstone National Park is on almost everyone's list of "must-dos" when visiting the beautiful state of Montana! Check out these pics!

Beware! 10 of the Most Deadly Animals Found in Montana

Montana is full of wild animals, and many of them can be deadly. Here are some of the deadliest animals that are native to Montana.

More From 94.9 KYSS FM