Yellowstone Road Upgrades May Delay, But Not Spoil, Summer Travel Plans

Date: May 26, 2016
Contact: Jody Lyle, 307-344-2015

Yellowstone visitors are likely to encounter road construction projects as they make their way through the park this summer. Short, daily traffic delays are expected along portions of the Grand Loop Road, but the improvement work should not cause visitors to make major changes to their scheduled travel plans.

The most significant project is the second phase of improvement on the 16-mile stretch of road between Norris Geyser Basin and the Golden Gate area south of Mammoth Hot Springs. This 4.7-mile project will improve and widen the current 18 to 22 foot road to the Yellowstone standard of 30 feet. It will also add and improve pullouts, widen shoulders, and install safer parking areas. This project is the most significant upgrade to the road since it was first constructed in the 1920s, and will be completed in three phases over the next several years. 

During summer, visitors should expect traffic delays of up to 30 minutes in construction areas. At night, the section of road between Roaring Mountain and the Moose Exhibit parking about two miles south of the Indian Creek Campground may be entirely closed. Visitors should expect nighttime closures will be in effect from 10 pm on June 1, through 7 am on September 11. When night closures occur, travel from Mammoth to Norris would have to be done via Tower, Dunraven Pass, and Canyon. The Indian Creek Campground will not be affected by this closure.

In the fall, this section of road will close to all traffic from 10 pm on Sept. 11 to 7 am on Oct. 7. The Grizzly Lake, Solfatara, and Mount Holmes trailheads will be closed during this period.

There will be no daytime traffic delays or overnight road closures on the Fourth of July weekend (between 5 pm, July 1 and 7 am, July 5) and on Labor Day weekend (between 5 pm, Sept. 2 and 7 am, Sept. 6).

Other construction projects causing short delays include the Glen Creek Stock Trailhead Parking Area south of Mammoth Hot Springs, and chip sealing throughout the park.

All other park roads and all park entrances are open for the season.