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On June 12, record-breaking rain and snowmelt induced the Yellowstone River to flood, forsaking extreme injury to roads and different infrastructure within the northern part of Yellowstone National Park and the encircling communities. It was an unprecedented catastrophe, timed proper at the beginning of the summer time journey season.

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Since then, the park has been working exhausting to re-open. Many vacationers who’ve deliberate a go to to the Yellowstone area are questioning what to do subsequent. Listed here are the most recent updates and suggestions that can assist you expertise a Montana summer time trip whereas supporting the park’s gateway cities.

Yellowstone Nationwide Park updates

On June 22, the park’s East (Cody, Wyoming), South (Grand Teton/Jackson, Wyoming), and West (West Yellowstone, Montana) entrances alongside the southern loop reopened. With that announcement got here a brand new Alternating License Plate System, which was phased out on July 2 when a lot of the park’s north loop was reopened. Now that 93 p.c of the park’s roads are accessible, all automobiles can enter the park with out reservations or particular license plate numbers.

Yellowstone is working to reconnect Mammoth Sizzling Springs with Gardiner and Cooke Metropolis as quickly as doable with momentary options. The park can also be seeking to restore restricted customer automobile entry to the North Entrance, however the precise timing is unclear. On June 30, Yellowstone introduced that guests can entry the park on foot by the North and Northeast entrances to fish and hike in open areas. On the time of publication, vacationers accompanied by industrial guides are additionally allowed to enter by the Northwestern entrance through Outdated Gardiner Highway, as reported by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

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Entry the most recent updates from the Nationwide Park Service by visiting the Yellowstone National Park website, or signal as much as obtain highway alerts by texting “82190” to 888-777 (an automated textual content reply will affirm receipt and supply directions). 

For essentially the most half, trails and campsites situated within the Better Yellowstone Ecosystem at the moment are open, with just a few exceptions. Go to the Custer Gallatin National Forest website and Montana Fish & Wildlife website for essentially the most up-to-date details about public lands outdoors of the nationwide park. 

View of a river at golden hour with a small town along its banks
The Yellowstone River in Gardiner, Montana. | Photograph: Sanna Boman

Go to Southwest Montana like a neighborhood

Yellowstone’s charming and adventure-filled gateway cities are open for enterprise. It’s a uncommon probability to expertise Montana’s well-known climbing trails, stay music, and native meals with out the standard summer time crowds. There are countless alternatives for journey and enjoyable on this a part of Montana, even with out entry to Yellowstone Nationwide Park. 

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As a present resident of Park County, Montana, listed below are my suggestions for a visit to Southwest Montana this summer time.


Cooke Metropolis and Silver Gate

You may entry Cooke Metropolis and Silver Gate through Chief Joseph Freeway (Wyoming Freeway 296) from the southeast as components of Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance highway and the Beartooth Freeway are closed for repairs. There’s no cellular phone service right here, so be ready to go off the grid.

Issues to do

  • Study concerning the space’s historical past on the Cooke Metropolis customer heart. 
  • Go mountain biking or ATVing.
  • Go to the Cooke City General Store, which seems to be a lot the identical because it did within the late 1800s.

Eat and drink

Close by campgrounds


Gardiner

Gardiner is often a busy summer time vacation spot, serving as the house base for hundreds of Yellowstone guests. 

Issues to do

Eat and drink

Close by campgrounds


Animal grazing with RV parked at a safe distance away
Eagle Creek Campground in Gardiner, Montana. | Photograph: Sarah Hubbart
Crowd at rodeo in American West
Rodeo in Livingston, Montana. | Photograph: Sarah Hubbart

Livingston

Livingston was the unique gateway to Yellowstone throughout the days of railroad journey. At present, this charming and historic city attracts artists, cowboys, and outside lovers.

Issues to do

Eat and drink

Close by campgrounds


Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley is situated between Livingston and Yellowstone’s North Entrance in Gardiner. The valley is dotted with small cities, together with Emigrant, Chico, Pray, and Pine Creek.

Issues to do

Eat and drink

Close by campgrounds


Open door of RV looking at scenic views and camp chair set up at fire pit
Campsite close to Purple Lodge, Montana. | Photograph: Sarah Hubbart
Small crowd at a campground with stage and performers
Live performance at Pine Creek Lodge. | Photograph: Sarah Hubbart

Purple Lodge

Purple Lodge is the final cease earlier than driving the enduring Beartooth Freeway (which is at the moment closed for repairs) to Cooke Metropolis and Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance. The historic downtown is thought for its proximity to among the greatest snowboarding, climbing, and fishing within the space.

Issues to do

Eat and drink

Close by campgrounds


Assist maintain Montana communities afloat

In case you’re contemplating a visit to Montana quickly, use the information above as a place to begin on your summer time bucket record. These communities proceed to rebuild from the devastating flood as they welcome again guests.

You may assist maintain small cities afloat whereas having fun with all Montana has to supply. Don’t overlook to recreate responsibly and comply with Leave No Trace principles whereas visiting public lands and Large Sky Nation.

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