MAMMOTH - During a call with Yellowstone National Park employees and the public on Tuesday, Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly urged people on the call to leave the Gardiner area as soon as possible, while conditions allow.
He said there is no telling when there could be more road damage that blocks the route. He said the Mammoth to Gardiner road in the park is closed for the foreseeable future. (Read the full story here)
(third report: 1:08 p.m. - June 14, 2022)
GARDINER - Officials said Tuesday a road has been opened into Gardiner to allow supplies into the community and tourists a path out.
The Park County Sheriff's Office the road into the town on the edge of the northern border of Yellowstone National Park will be open for local traffic only.
(second report 3:40 p.m. - June 13, 2022)
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - Yellowstone National Park has now closed all entrances into the park due to flooding, rockslides, and mudslides.
A park news release said effective immediately, there will be no inbound visitor traffic at any of the five Yellowstone entrances on Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15, at a minimum.
- RELATED: Aerial footage shows flooding damage in Yellowstone National Park
- RELATED: Yellowstone National Park employee housing swept into river
Park officials said in an earlier update, "effective immediately, no inbound visitor traffic will be allowed into the park until conditions stabilize and the park can assess damage to roads and bridges and other facilities. This includes visitors with lodging and camping reservations."
The closed entrances include: North, Northeast, West, South, East.
WATCH: Aerial footage of flooding along North Entrance Road in YNP
YNP said power is out in multiple park locations.
Park Superintendent Cam Sholly issued the following statement in response to the closures:
“Due to record flooding events in the park and more precipitation in the forecast, we have made the decision to close Yellowstone to all inbound visitation," said superintendent Cam Sholly. "Our first priority has been to evacuate the northern section of the park where we have multiple road and bridge failures, mudslides and other issues. The community of Gardiner is currently isolated, and we are working with the county and State of Montana to provide necessary support to residents, who are currently without water and power in some areas. Due to predictions of higher flood levels in areas of the park’s southern loop, in addition to concerns with water and wastewater systems, we will begin to move visitors in the southern loop out of the park later today in coordination with our in-park business partners. We will not know timing of the park’s reopening until flood waters subside and we're able to assess the damage throughout the park. It is likely that the northern loop will be closed for a substantial amount of time. I appreciate the efforts of the Yellowstone team and partners to safely evacuate areas of the park and of our gateway community partners who are helping us through this major event. We appreciate the support offered by the Department of Interior, National Park Service and the Montana and Wyoming governors."
Officials in Gallatin County also recommend that visitors and residents leaving the Yellowstone National Park and West Yellowstone areas check for availability before seeking accommodations in areas north of the park.
In a media release, the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office reminded the public that Bozeman has limited lodging, and there is no cellular service for 70 miles between West Yellowstone and Bozeman.
The Sheriff's Office also advises those in the Big Sky area planning a return to Bozeman on Monday to leave early; traffic will be delayed due to erosion mitigation efforts along Highway 191 in the Gallatin Canyon.
VIDEO: Flooding in Park County and Yellowstone National Park
(first report)
Yellowstone National Park announced Monday morning that effective immediately, roads in the northern portion of the park are temporarily closed and visitors in the area are being evacuated.
Park officials said in a news release that the closures are due to “substantial flooding, rockslides and mudslides on roadways from recent unprecedented amounts of rainfall.”
According to the release, the following roads are closed:
- North Entrance (Gardiner, Montana) to Mammoth Hot Springs
- Mammoth Hot Springs to Tower-Roosevelt
- Tower-Roosevelt to the Northeast Entrance
- Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris Junction
- Canyon Junction to Tower-Roosevelt
Yellowstone said some of the roads could remain closed for an extended period of time. The release included the following additional information:
- Preliminary assessments show multiple sections of road in the park have been washed out between Gardiner and Cooke City, Montana, and multiple bridges may be affected.
- Visitors currently in the northern portion of the park are being evacuated.
- US Highway 89 S is closed at Yankee Jim Canyon due to approximately 3 feet of water on the road. Check the Montana Department of Transportation [mdt.mt.gov] for road updates.
- The National Park Service, Park County, Montana, and state will work with the communities of Gardiner, Silver Gate and Cooke City to evaluate flooding impacts and provide support to residents.
- Crews will begin to assess damage in the southern portion of the park soon.
- Rainfall is expected to continue for the next several days.
- Stay informed about up-to-date road conditions in Yellowstone:
- Visit Park Roads [nps.gov].
- To receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone, text “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).
- Call (307) 344-2117 for a recorded message.
- Yellowstone will continue to communicate about this hazardous situation as more information is available.
MTN News will update this story with any additional information we receive. Additional photos, courtesy of Yellowstone National Park:
