YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is inviting the public to weigh in on its plans to reconstruct the North Entrance Road after it was damaged in the 2022 flood.

According to YNP, the flood destroyed parts of the road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Gardiner, Montana, as well as segments of the Northeast Entrance Road between Tower Junction and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana. The road re-opened to the public in October of 2022, and a temporary road between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs was created.

The replacement road will be designed to provide year-round access between Gardiner, Montana and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana, to reinforce natural hazard resiliency and to protect the park’s natural and cultural resources, according to YNP.

Two public meetings about the project will be held this month, meeting virtually on Monday, Feb. 12, and Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Webinar 1:

Webinar 2:

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, according to YNP.

A 30-day public comment period will also begin Feb. 12. The preferred method for submitting comments is online. Comments can 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.

YNP expects to release a draft environmental assessment for public review this fall, with plans finalized in early 2025.

Marianne is the Editor of Buckrail. She handles breaking news and reports on a little bit of everything. She's interested in the diversity of our community, arts/entertainment and crazy weather.