Yellowstone National Park seeks public input on environmental assessment for North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project

News and Adventure from Glacier National Park

The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is seeking public input on an environmental assessment (EA) for the reconstruction of the new permanent North Entrance Road in Yellowstone National Park. Goals for the new road alignment include continuing to provide year-round access between Gardiner and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana, improving the road’s safety, and ensuring long-term visitor access while protecting natural and cultural resources.

Yellowstone experienced a 500-year flood event on June 13, 2022. The flood destroyed infrastructure in the northern portion of the park, including several sections of the North Entrance Road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Gardiner, Montana, and segments of the Northeast Entrance Road between Tower Junction and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana. Both roads are open year-round and serve as the only winter vehicle access in and out of the park. After temporarily closing to regular visitor traffic on June 13, 2022, a temporary North Entrance Road was constructed between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs, which opened to the public Oct. 30, 2022. Although this temporary road has successfully provided visitor access to the park, it was not engineered for the long-term.

Public Meetings
Yellowstone invites the public to attend a virtual or in-person meeting to learn and ask questions about the road alignment options for the North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project. During each meeting, NPS and FHWA staff will present three preliminary road alignment alternatives, including a video fly-over of the preferred alignment, followed by a question-and-answer session. The same information will be shared in each meeting.

In-person meeting
* Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. MST
* Location: Yellowstone Forever Institute Conference Room, 308 Park Street, Gardiner, MT 59030

Virtual meeting
* Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. MST
* Link to join virtual meeting
* If you plan to join the virtual meeting from your mobile device, we recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams app.
* This meeting will be recorded and posted to North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project and YouTube.

Public CommentThe public is encouraged to review the EA and other project materials at North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project. NPS will accept comments on the EA Jan. 5 – Feb. 4, 2026. The preferred method for submitting comments is online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/NorthEntranceRoad. Comments may also be mailed to: Yellowstone Center for Resources, Attn: North Entrance Road EA, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. At the conclusion of the 30-day public comment period, NPS will analyze and consider all comments received. A final decision will be made in spring 2026.

              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com