MOOSE, Wyo. — This summer, visitors to Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and Yellowstone National Park (YNP) can expect road closures or delays due to construction.
According to the National Park Service, drivers must slow down through all construction zones and be alert to workers, heavy equipment, wildlife and other hazards. Be aware of all the planned road improvement projects listed below:
GTNP – Moose/Wilson Road
The southern portion of Moose-Wilson Road will be under construction between the Granite Canyon Entrance and the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. Construction will include paving the unpaved section of the road, improving trailheads and pullouts and upgrading the Granite Canyon Entrance.
- April 10 to May 26: road closed to all vehicles and uses
- May 26 to June 30: road open to weekend traffic from 7 p.m. on Friday to 7 a.m. on Monday, or the day after a federal holiday at 7 a.m.
- June 30: road will be open at 7 p.m., seven days a week, with possible 20-minute delays
Granite Canyon Trailhead will be closed to all access during construction. Access to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve and Death Canyon Trailhead will remain available from the north, via Moose, Wyoming.
YNP – Gardner River High Bridge
This project includes the reinforcement of bridge approaches on the Gardner River High Bridge east of Mammoth Hot Springs on the Grand Loop Road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower-Roosevelt. It will allow for upcoming improvements to the Yellowstone River Bridge
- April 11 to June 30: expect up to 20 minute delays
YNP – Lewis River Bridge
The existing Lewis River Bridge, nearly 10 miles north of the South Entrance on the South Entrance Road, will be removed and a new bridge will be constructed immediately downstream, with additional parking and viewing opportunities.
- May to Oct. 31: expect up to 20 minute delays and possible overnight closures before June 30
YNP – Northeast Entrance Road (flood recovery)
This project includes the completion of work to address flood-damaged areas of the Northeast Entrance Road east of Tower Junction between Lamar Canyon and the Northeast Entrance. Construction will include completion of a two-lane realignment in Lamar Canyon, paving a second lift north of the Trout Lake Trailhead, stabilization of streambanks adjacent to the road and work in the Pebble Creek Campground and Warm Creek Picnic Area.
Additionally, some guardrails, culverts and other drainage structures will be replaced.
- Summer 2023 through fall 2023: expect up to 30 minute delays
Old Faithful to West Thumb
The rehabilitation of 22 miles of the Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb, one of the most heavily traveled road corridors in the park, will include repaving the roadway and replacing guardrails, culverts and other drainage structures.
- May to Oct. 31: expect up to 30 minute delays
Yellowstone River Bridge
A new bridge upstream will replace the existing 604-foot-long bridge to preserve year-round access to/from the Northeast Entrance and communities of Silver Gate/Cooke City, Montana. Additionally, construction will include new pullouts and paved parking areas, and the Yellowstone River Picnic Area will be expanded.
- Summer 2023 through fall 2026: expect occasional and short traffic delays during 2023 as work begins, with hiking trails in the area possibly closing temporarily (visit the Backcountry Situation Report for details)
YNP – Chip sealing
Every summer, chip sealing occurs to preserve park roads. Check YNP’s live road map to see where chip sealing is scheduled to occur and plan for delays of up to 30 minutes.
Unscheduled delays and closures are also always able to occur. Recently, the road between Old Faithful and West Thumb was closed for 24 hours due to a fatality investigation.
