You are here

Home » Yellowstone's Old Gardiner Road Open For Visitors

Yellowstone's Old Gardiner Road Open For Visitors

Share
By Compiled From N... - October 30th, 2022

The Old Gardiner Road linking Gardiner, MT, to Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park opened Sunday/NPS, Cam Sholly

Access to Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park from Gardiner, Montana, opened for visitors Sunday, four-and-a-half months after historic flooding tore out sections of the main north road leading into the park. Traffic began heading down the road Sunday morning, two days earlier than expected as crews completed the temporary route ahead of schedule. 

Heavy rains falling on snowpack that was already melting due to warm temperatures unleashed devastating flood waters on June 12 and 13 that chewed through the park road that runs east of Mammoth Hot Springs and through the Lamar Valley to Silvergate and Cooke City in Montana, as well as the road from Mammoth Hot Springs north to Gardiner, Montana. As the floodwaters swelled, park staff safely were able to evacuate an estimated 10,000 visitors from the park, including backcountry travelers.

The park's north and northeast entrance roads had been closed since the historic flood event. While temporary repairs allowed the Northeast Entrance Road to open in mid-October, the task to regrade and enlarge the 4-mile-long Old Gardiner Road, which started out in the late 19th century as a stagecoach route, was a larger project. The Old Gardiner Road was determined to be the best and only option to quickly reconnect Mammoth Hot Springs to Gardiner after the floods. The single-lane dirt road has been expanded to two lanes over its entire length.

Its completion was hastened by redirecting road crews from a road project elsewhere in the park to the northern entrance. Substantial culvert work, slope stabilization and retainment were required to bring the road up to safe standards.

This road will be used as the primary access route until a permanent reconstruction option is completed in upcoming years. This project is being completed with support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and funded largely by FHWA Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO). HK Contractors Inc. is the primary construction company under contract to complete this project.

Contractors completed striping on Saturday. 

The public should keep the following details in mind when driving the road: 

  • Yellowstone reminds the public of everyone’s responsibility to use the road carefully to avoid accidents. 

  • Steep grades and sharp curves exist. Drive slowly and with caution.  

  • Speed limits range between 15-25 mph. 

  • There are no length or weight restrictions on the road (see exceptions), however, oversized vehicles and vehicles with trailers must use caution in curves to maintain lanes.  

  • Minor road construction work will continue with one-way traffic control and short delays in certain locations on the road. 

In celebration of the road's opening, park entrance fees were being waived for Sunday and Monday.

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Journalism about National Parks!

National Parks Traveler is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.