Road Construction Delays and Closures

Construction Highlights

 

Full Road Closures

The Canyon to Tower Road may be closed to public traffic 24-hours per day on Sept 22, 2012 to May 23, 2013.

Obsidian Creek Bridge -- The Indian Creek Campground access road may be closed to public traffic 24-hours per day starting at noon, Sept. 4 through Nov 21, 2012. The campground at Indian Creek will close 6 days earlier this year than normal. See Campgrounds for more information about Indian Creek and others in the area and near the park.

Nighttime Road Closures

The Canyon to Tower Road may be closed to public traffic from 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. from July 5 to Sept. 22, 2012 nightly from Chittenden Road to Tower Junction Gate in the north section of the park.

Traffic Delays
During times when the road is open to the public, delays should be limited to no more than 30 minutes at a time, except on Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-28) and Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 1-3).

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Flashing black roads are closed to wheeled vehicles during the winter season.

Some park areas, entrances and roads are not accessible year-round!! From early November through late April, all roads south through the park are closed to wheeled vehicles, including the road to Old Faithful Geyser. During the winter season only two roads are plowed:between the North Entrance and Cooke City, MT and from Mammoth Hot Springs to the parking area at the Upper Terraces.The Northeast Entrance near Cooke City, which leads eastward into Montana, is not plowed during the winter.

See Yellowstone Road Map for reference points.

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Lamar Bridge Project

There is still ongoing construction at the Lamar River Bridge area on the way to the Northeast Entrance. The map on the bottom of this page helps provide a sense of what construction might be happening in a certain area of the park, when the roads fully open in the spring.

 

Park Road Construction During the Seasons

Yellowstone reconstructs its roads during the spring, summer and fall seasons, which means you will likely encounter delays depending on your destination. To minimize delays, consult the maps below as you plan your drive into the park. Keep in mind, road work schedules change. Check at our visitor centers, or entrance stations for updates for current information on road construction and possible delays.

More road information, including what roads are open during each season, see our Operating Hours and Seasons page. Call the 24-hour Current Road Report hotline at [phone] for the latest information on conditions affecting roads within the park.

Motorcyclists are advised to slow down and use EXTREME CAUTION on loose gravel in areas of construction.

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Traveling to Yellowstone All Summer:

Expect Road Improvement Projects on Many of the Major Travel Routes to Yellowstone Park Entrances from Montana and Wyoming.

Projects-Chip-seal and/or fog-seal to extend road surface life. Expect 30 minute delays and pilot vehicle. Be aware of construction workers and equipment. MOTORCYCLISTS USE CAUTION.

Montana Info
For information about Montana Road projects, call 1-800-226-7623 or visit www.mdt511.com

Wyoming Info
For information about Wyoming Road projects call 1-888-996-7623 or visit www.wyoroad.info/

For information about all road projects in Grand Teton National Park, call 307-739-3614. The park's newspaper, Teewinot, includes a road construction map for further reference and can be found online at www.nps.gov/grte, or picked up at any park entrance station or visitor center.

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General Information

Road construction is perennial in Yellowstone National Park. In general, park roads have either been recently repaired or reconstructed, or are scheduled for repair or reconstruction. Approximately 80% of main park roads (about 185 mi or 295 km) are in a structurally deficient state, with poor quality road bases failing under the weight, speed, and volume of modern traffic for which they were not designed. Harsh winter weather and short construction seasons provide additional challenges.

These needs are now being addressed under a 20-year, $300 million Federal Lands Highway Program for Yellowstone National Park. In addition to the major construction addressed below, park road repair crews will be working in other areas of the park throughout this and subsequent seasons. Thank you for your patience with our road construction efforts.

Other road closures or delays are possible. For current road information, call: 307-344-7381.

Additional construction zones and schedules may be announced as construction contracts are awarded.

We recommend that visitors check the following resources before traveling:

• National Weather Service forecast for Yellowstone and Grand Teton: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/riw/?n=ynp_gtnp
• WYDOT Road Information 888-WYO-ROAD or http://www.wyoroad.info/
• M-DOT Road Information 800-226-7623 or http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/

 

Spring 2012