Yellowstone Park closes due to flooding

All entrances to Yellowstone closed

All entrances to Yellowstone National Park are closed due to heavy flooding, rockslides and extremely hazardous conditions.

According to the park, there will be no inbound visitor traffic at any of the five entrances into Yellowstone National Park on June 14, and June 15, at a minimum.

The Gardiner River at flood stage. NPS photo

Yellowstone National Park superintendent Cam Sholly said.  "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.

Flood damage to a footbridge on Rescue Creek in Yellowstone National Park. NPS photo

"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 the Interior, National Park Service and the Montana and Wyoming governors."

 

The northeast entrance road to Yellowstone National Park is washed out near Soda Butte Picnic Area. NPS photo

RIVER ACCESS POINTS CLOSED NEAR YELLOWSTONE PARK

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has closed the Yellowstone River in Park County to all recreational use due to public safety risks caused by extremely high water levels, endangered and failing infrastructure, flooded and impassible access roads, and limited availability of search and rescue resources.
All fishing access sites on the Yellowstone River in Park County are also closed from the Yellowstone National Park boundary to Springdale Bridge Fishing Access Site.
Most fishing access sites below Springdale Bridge downstream to Captain Clark Fishing Access Site near the Bighorn River confluence are closed to motorized vehicle access.
Refer to the FWP website for current list of closures.
Closures are also in effect for several other sites managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks:

• All Jefferson River fishing access sites from Cardwell Bridge down to Missouri Headwaters State Park
• Portions of Missouri Headwaters State Park
• All Gallatin River fishing access sites
• All East Gallatin River fishing access sites

Many of the fishing access sites on these waters are closed to motorized access:

• Boulder River
• Rock Creek (tributary to the Yellowstone River)
• Stillwater River
• Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River

Refer to the FWP website for current list of closures and restrictions. Site closures in other areas of the state may be put in place as flooding occurs. FWP said it will work to reopen closed areas as soon as conditions allow.

Northwest Montana flooding a concern

River access closures are also in effect for many river accesses in Northwest Montana.

See this page for information

https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/allRestrictions