If the state of Wyoming lifts its restrictions regarding Covid-19 on April 30, that doesn't mean Yellowstone National Park will be open on May 1/Kurt Repanshek file
Editor's note: This updates with comments from Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly.
Wyoming officials by month's end plan to ease off on restrictions put in place to slow the spread of coronavirus, but that doesn't mean access to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks or other park system units in the state will quickly return.
“This will be a balanced approach that will be driven by two guiding principles – public safety and helping more people get back to work,” Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said. “We are going to relax some of the restrictions, while also detailing what data we will monitor to make sure we stay on the right path.”
According to the governor's office, before April 30 the State Health Officer will issue modified statewide public health orders, taking the first steps to move Wyoming into the next phase. These modified orders will allow county health officers to submit requests for countywide variances from those orders if the public health conditions in the county warrant the change. These variances can either be more or less restrictive, based on county-level data, the governor's office said. The goal is to allow flexibility based on objective data, including the state of the outbreak, hospital capacity and testing capacity.
Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly said Friday that it will take time for his park to be ready to welcome visitors.
"We are developing a phased opening plan that focuses on protecting our team, partners, and the public - and meets current health guidance at the local, state, and national levels; and also meets the president's goals of reopening the country," Sholly wrote in an email. "We have had excellent support from the secretary and acting director to reopen safely, and in conjunction with what's happening around us. They understand this isn't a one size fits all. Some place can open sooner, others later depending on health conditions and risk potential.
"The recent lifting of certain restrictions in Wyoming does not mean immediate opening of Yellowstone. However, this is the first step in that process. Governor Gordon also understands we're synchronizing efforts with other states, and has been a tremendous partner through this," the superintendent added.
Traveler inquiries to Grand Teton National Park, as well as to National Park Service headquarters in Washington, D.C., concerning how they would handle reopening of parks in response to a state's easing of restrictions have not been answered.
Other park system units in Wyoming, Devils Tower National Monument, Fort Laramie National Historic Site, and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, all remain closed along with the two national parks.
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Comments
I have a trip planed with my grandkids to Yellowstone may 25th. Just make up your mind when you will open Yellowstone for day trips. I need to know if I should cancel my hotels. Have some courage and make a decision.
Agreed
I has a muti-park trip planned that included Little Big Horn, Devils Tower, Yellowstone, Fire Canyon etc. Since Cam Sholly and the little dictators of the 'resort" communities can't or won't make up your minds... you now see my cancellations (3 weeks worth) and will not see a penny of my hard earned money. It's ridiculous that our parks are closed. How much more social distant can you be than in millions of sqare miles of a national park
Hello Texas, you are open for business and you get my money! 3 weeks on the gulf.
Ditto Andrew T Kroeger! This is getting rediculous! Let us know something! At least open back up for day use only!
For crying out loud, open the parks! I don't care about going to the gift shops in Yellowstone, Grand Teton but have a trip planned for the end of May and first of June with my grandchildren. We will bring our own drinks, food, no need to open concessions you can do that later! Just let people know ahead of time what to expect we can cope! Open the trails! Open it up!
FIGURE IT OUT! YOU HAVE HAD TWO MONTHS TO GET ORGANIZED! REQUIRE MASKS! WHATEVER JUST GET IT DONE!
Like many others, the only park facilities I will need are the roads. Will stay offsite and pack lunch. It should not be hard to set a road opening date and that is all many need to revise or cancel plans. Is it that hard to figure outhow to sell and collect admission passes? If so delegate to any supermarket!
I agree with above comments. A definitive decision on what date the roads in the park will open is not too much to ask!!!!
Where are yall going to use the bathroom? you and three million visitors are going to social distance? I don't think so.
It's the outdoors...best social distancing vacation out there.
I agree! It's time to open. Germs can not be spread in the sunshine And open air. Keep the rest area picnic areas closed and leave the open trails open for others to enjoy and help with the economy.
Lauren P --- which hard science discipline is your doctorate in? Germs certainly can be spread in the sunshine and open air.
If Governor Gordon of Wyoming stated he didn't order Devil's Tower closed then who did? Does the Crook County Department of Public Health have the authority to close a National Monument?
Seriously, my just wants to drive on the road. This waiting game to see when the roads will open is ridiculous.