News Release

UPDATE: Public input sought on Yellowstone National Park’s North Entrance Road

Yellowstone flood event 2022: North Entrance Road washout

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

News Release Date: February 16, 2024

Contact: Morgan Warthin, [phone]

UPDATE: Public input sought on Yellowstone National Park’s North Entrance Road
Additional virtual public meetings scheduled March 1, March 6
 

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, is considering construction of a new permanent North Entrance Road in Yellowstone National Park. Goals for the new road include providing year-round access between Gardiner, Montana, and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana, natural hazard resiliency and the protection of natural and cultural resources.

Yellowstone invited the public to learn about and provide input on the North Entrance Road project by way of virtual public meetings on Feb. 12 and Feb. 14.

Due to significant interest, Yellowstone will host two additional virtual public meetings on March 1 and March 6. During each meeting, three preliminary road alignment alternatives will be presented along with two video flyovers to explain the damage, environmental challenges, constraints and opportunities of each alignment.

Information shared at each of the four meetings (Feb. 12, Feb. 14, March 1, March 6) is the same.

Virtual Public Meetings

Webinar 3:

• March 1, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m. MST
• Link to Teams Webinar

Webinar 4:

• March 6, 2024, 3:30-5 p.m. MST
• Link to Teams Webinar

A 30-day public comment period began Feb.12, and the deadline to submit comments is March 13. Public input will help Yellowstone select an alignment and begin the environmental compliance process.

Feb. 2 news release:

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY –  The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, is considering construction of a new permanent North Entrance Road in Yellowstone National Park. Goals for the new road include providing year-round access between Gardiner, Montana, and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana, natural hazard resiliency and the protection of natural and cultural resources.

Yellowstone invites the public to learn about and provide input on the North Entrance Road project by way of virtual public meetings on Feb. 12 and Feb. 14. A 30-day public comment period will also begin Feb. 12. Public input will help Yellowstone select an alignment and begin the environmental compliance process.

Yellowstone experienced a 500-year flood event on June 13, 2022. The flood destroyed infrastructure in the northern portion of the park including several sections of the North Entrance Road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Gardiner, Montana, and segments of the Northeast Entrance Road between Tower Junction and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana. Both roads are open year-round and serve as the only winter vehicle access in and out of the park. After temporarily closing to regular visitor traffic on June 13, 2022, the Northeast Entrance Road opened to the public on Oct. 15, 2022, and a temporary road between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs opened to the public on Oct. 30, 2022.

Virtual Public Meetings

During each meeting, three preliminary road alignment alternatives will be presented along with two video flyovers to explain the damage, environmental challenges, constraints and opportunities of each alignment. Meeting details include:
 
Webinar 1:

• Feb. 12, 2024, 3:30-5 p.m. MST
• Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83341858193
• Webinar ID: 833 4185 8193
• Audio: 720 707 2699

Webinar 2:

• Feb. 14, 2024, 6-7:30 p.m. MST
• Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84390842047
• Webinar ID:  843 9084 2047
• Audio: 720 707 2699

Public Comment

Beginning Feb. 12, the public can also provide formal comments. The preferred method for submitting comments is online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/NorthEntranceRoad. Comments may also be mailed or hand-delivered to: Yellowstone Center for Resources Attn: North Entrance Road EA, PO Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. The deadline to submit comments is Wednesday, March 13.

At the conclusion of the 30-day public comment period, the NPS will analyze and consider all comments received. A draft environmental assessment will likely be released for public review fall 2024. A final decision is expected in early 2025.