Yellowstone Announces $313 Million Plan to Rebuild North Entrance Road After Historic 2022 Floods
New permanent road between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs will feature bridges, scenic overlooks, walking trails, and improved visitor access. Construction is expected from 2027 through 2030.
October 19, 2026 | Yellowstone Explored
More than four years after devastating floods destroyed portions of Yellowstone National Park's North Entrance Road, the National Park Service (NPS) has officially approved a permanent replacement.
On September 17, 2026, Yellowstone announced its decision to move forward with a new roadway known as the Center Alignment, connecting Gardiner, Montana, with Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming.
The estimated $313 million project is expected to begin construction in 2027 and be completed in 2030.
However, the project involves much more than simply replacing the road destroyed in 2022.
Plans include two impressive new bridges, scenic overlooks, expanded parking areas, improved hiking access, and the conversion of the historic Old Gardiner Road into a recreational pathway.
Perhaps most significantly, much of the original highway winding alongside the Gardner River will never be rebuilt. Instead, Yellowstone plans to restore portions of the damaged canyon to their natural condition.
For millions of visitors who have traveled through Yellowstone's historic North Entrance, the driving experience is about to change once again.
Remembering Yellowstone's Devastating 2022 Flood
On June 13, 2022, record-breaking rainfall combined with melting mountain snow caused catastrophic flooding across northern Yellowstone National Park.
The Gardner River surged through the narrow canyon between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs, washing away entire sections of the North Entrance Road.
Videos of pavement collapsing into the rushing river quickly spread across the country, becoming some of the most recognizable images of the disaster.
The flooding forced Yellowstone to close its North Entrance to regular visitor traffic, severing an important transportation route connecting Gardiner with the park's interior.
Because the North Entrance provides critical year-round access to Yellowstone, restoring the roadway quickly became a major priority.
Rather than attempting to rebuild the destroyed highway immediately, the National Park Service turned to an old transportation route.
The Historic Old Gardiner Road Saves the Day
The Old Gardiner Road was originally constructed in 1879 and served as Yellowstone's entrance road before being replaced by a route through Gardner River Canyon in 1884.
For more than a century, it remained a reminder of Yellowstone's early transportation history.
Following the 2022 disaster, construction crews transformed portions of this historic route into a paved, two-lane roadway.
The temporary road officially opened to regular visitor traffic on October 30, 2022, restoring the connection between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs.
Although the project successfully restored access in a remarkably short period, the emergency roadway was never designed to serve as Yellowstone's permanent entrance highway.
Some sections traverse unstable ground, and the route does not meet all the design standards expected of a modern, long-term park highway.
A permanent replacement was needed.
Yellowstone Officially Selects the Center Alignment
Following years of planning, engineering studies, and environmental analysis, the National Park Service evaluated four alternatives for restoring permanent access.
These included maintaining the existing temporary road, widening the Old Gardiner Road into a permanent highway, reconstructing the original road through Gardner River Canyon, or building a new route known as the Center Alignment.
The NPS ultimately selected Alternative 2: the Center Alignment.
The decision was finalized through a Finding of No Significant Impact approved on September 16, 2026, and publicly announced the following day.
Instead of following the original highway entirely along the Gardner River, the new road will combine sections of the existing road system with newly constructed roadway outside the narrow canyon.
Where Will the New Road Go?
The new route will begin at Yellowstone's North Entrance near Gardiner, Montana.
Initially, it will travel roughly parallel to portions of the original pre-flood roadway.
South of the new Rescue Creek Trailhead, the alignment will turn away from Gardner River Canyon.
This new section will carry vehicles through terrain less exposed to the destructive flooding that devastated the original highway in 2022.
Near the Boiling River area and Gardner River Picnic Area, the new route will reconnect with the pre-flood road alignment.
From there, it will generally follow the original roadway south toward Mammoth Hot Springs.
This design allows Yellowstone to preserve portions of the historic driving experience while relocating the most vulnerable sections away from the river.
A Wider, Safer Road for Yellowstone Visitors
The replacement North Entrance Road will be designed to meet Federal Highway Administration standards.
According to Yellowstone's official project visualization, the approximately five-mile route will feature:
Two 11-foot travel lanes
Two 4-foot shoulders
A total roadway width of 30 feet
A posted speed limit of 35 mph
Road grades that will not exceed 8%
19 roadside turnouts
134 additional parking spaces
Two major new bridges with pedestrian sidewalks and underpasses
These improvements are expected to make the route safer and more comfortable for visitors, including those traveling in recreational vehicles and larger passenger vehicles.
The roadway is also being designed with long-term resilience in mind, reducing its vulnerability to the severe flooding that destroyed the original highway.
Two Major Bridges Will Transform the Drive
Among the most impressive features of the proposed roadway are two new bridges.
Gardens Bridge — 825 Feet Long The new Gardens Bridge will stretch approximately 825 feet and be supported by two piers.
This large structure will carry the roadway across part of the rugged northern Yellowstone landscape.
Boiling River Bridge — 260 Feet Long
The proposed Boiling River Bridge will extend approximately 260 feet and feature a single-span design.
Both bridges will include pedestrian sidewalks and underpasses, providing connections for visitors exploring nearby recreational areas.
These structures will become prominent features of the reconstructed route and help connect the new roadway with existing visitor destinations.
New Scenic Overlooks, Parking Areas, and Trails
One of the most exciting aspects of Yellowstone's road reconstruction project is the addition of several visitor amenities.
Rather than simply creating a highway between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs, the NPS intends to provide new opportunities for sightseeing, hiking, picnicking, and exploring the surrounding landscape.
Slide Lake Overlook
A new Slide Lake parking area will feature an accessible loop trail offering views of the canyon and lake.
Visitors will be able to leave their vehicles and enjoy the scenery along a designated walking route.
45th Parallel Monument
A new parking area will also be constructed near the 45th Parallel Monument.
A short trail will lead visitors to the monument marking the approximate halfway point between the Equator and the North Pole.
This should make one of northern Yellowstone's interesting geographical landmarks more convenient to visit.
Gardner River Picnic Area
The existing Gardner River Picnic Area will be expanded to improve the visitor experience.
Planned improvements include additional parking, more picnic sites, and improved access to the Gardner River.
For travelers driving between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs, this could become an appealing place to stop for lunch or enjoy the surrounding landscape.
Rescue Creek Trailhead
A new Rescue Creek Trailhead will provide parking for passenger vehicles and stock trailers.
A new stock bridge will also restore access to the Rescue Creek Trail, benefiting hikers and horseback riders exploring northern Yellowstone.
Lava Creek Trailhead
The Lava Creek Trailhead will be redesigned and improved to provide better access.
Mammoth Hot Springs Campground
The historic Mammoth Hot Springs Campground, recognized as the first campground established in the national park system, will remain in its current location.
The reconstruction project will provide new and improved access to the campground.
What Happens to the Old Gardiner Road?
Since October 2022, visitors entering Yellowstone through Gardiner have traveled along the historic Old Gardiner Road.
But once the new highway is completed, the Old Gardiner Road will take on a very different purpose.
Rather than continuing to serve as a primary vehicle route, it will be converted into a 12- foot-wide multi-use recreational pathway.
The pathway will be separated from the new highway, giving visitors another way to experience northern Yellowstone away from regular automobile traffic.
This change will preserve an important part of Yellowstone's transportation history while creating new recreational opportunities.
The Old Gardiner Road played a vital role in the park's earliest years and again during the recovery from the 2022 floods. Its next chapter will focus on recreation rather than highway transportation.
What Will Happen to the Original Road Along the Gardner River?
For longtime Yellowstone visitors, one of the biggest changes will involve the original road through Gardner River Canyon.
Before 2022, this scenic stretch followed the river through a narrow canyon between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs.
The highway offered beautiful views of the river, surrounding cliffs, and rugged northern Yellowstone landscape.
However, because the road was located so close to the river, it was especially vulnerable when catastrophic flooding occurred.
Under the newly approved plan, much of the former roadway through the canyon will be permanently removed.
Remaining structures, including damaged road sections, bridges, retaining walls, and culverts, will be taken out.
The surrounding landscape will then be rehabilitated to restore more natural conditions.
According to the NPS, these restoration efforts are intended to improve streamside habitat, protect natural resources, and increase the area's long-term resilience.
A New Walking Trail Into Gardner River Canyon
Although visitors will no longer be able to drive along much of the former canyon road, Yellowstone plans to provide a new way to experience the area.
A new Gardner River Canyon Trailhead will provide access to an accessible walking trail following part of the original roadway into the southern end of the canyon.
This will give visitors an opportunity to experience portions of the former river-canyon route on foot.
For those who remember driving through the canyon before the floods, the new trail may offer an interesting opportunity to revisit the landscape and observe how the area has changed.
When Will Construction Begin?
Yellowstone currently anticipates that the permanent North Entrance Road reconstruction project will begin in 2027, with completion estimated for 2030.
The following estimates have been published by the National Park Service:
Project Detail | Estimated Information |
Selected design | Center Alignment |
Construction start | 2027 |
Estimated completion | 2030 |
Project cost | $313 million |
Road length | Approximately 5 miles |
The project will also be coordinated with replacement of the Mammoth wastewater main, another important infrastructure improvement connected to the 2022 flood recovery.
Construction schedules and costs remain estimates and may change as engineering, funding, and construction planning progress.
Will Yellowstone's North Entrance Remain Open During Construction?
One of the biggest questions for Yellowstone visitors is whether they will still be able to enter the park through Gardiner while the new road is under construction.
The good news is that maintaining year-round access is a central objective of the project.
The National Park Service recognizes the importance of keeping the connection between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs operational for visitors, local residents, park employees, commercial transportation, and emergency services.
The existing Old Gardiner Road, which has served as Yellowstone's temporary North Entrance Road since October 2022, is expected to continue playing an important role in providing access as the new route is built.
Because portions of the Center Alignment will be constructed away from the existing roadway, some work may be possible without directly interfering with normal traffic.
However, other sections of the project will require construction near or along existing roads.
Should Visitors Expect Delays or Closures?
Visitors planning trips to Yellowstone between 2027 and 2030 should be prepared for possible construction-related disruptions.
These may include:
Temporary traffic delays
Reduced speeds through construction zones
Flaggers or controlled traffic patterns
Short-term road closures when necessary
Changes to access at certain parking areas, trailheads, or roadside destinations
As of October 2026, Yellowstone has not published a detailed construction traffic schedule identifying exact closure dates or the final traffic arrangements for each phase of construction.
The NPS has also not announced a prolonged closure of the North Entrance for this project.
Although continued access is a major planning goal, visitors should not assume that the road will remain open without interruption throughout construction.
Why Keeping the North Entrance Open Is So Important
Unlike Yellowstone's other entrances, the North Entrance near Gardiner provides regular vehicle access throughout the winter.
During the winter season, the road connecting Gardiner, Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction, Lamar Valley, and the Northeast Entrance near Cooke City remains open to regular vehicles, weather and road conditions permitting.
Most other roads inside Yellowstone close to regular automobiles during winter.
Because of this, the North Entrance serves as a critical transportation connection for surrounding communities, park employees, emergency responders, and winter visitors.
Maintaining reliable access during reconstruction will therefore be a major consideration.
What Should Visitors Do Before Their Trip?
If you're planning a Yellowstone vacation during the construction years, there is no need to automatically avoid the North Entrance.
However, checking road conditions shortly before your visit will be particularly important.
The National Park Service provides current road information, seasonal closures, and construction updates on its website. Check current Yellowstone road conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm
Visitors can also call Yellowstone's recorded road information line at 307-344-2117.
If temporary construction restrictions affect the North Entrance, travelers visiting during the summer may be able to use other seasonal entrances, depending on their itinerary and current road conditions.
The West Entrance near West Yellowstone, Montana, and the South Entrance near Grand Teton National Park are common alternatives during the warmer months.
However, these entrances are not practical substitutes for the North Entrance during normal winter road closures.
The best approach is to monitor official NPS updates as the project progresses.
How Will the New Road Change a Visit to Yellowstone?
For many visitors, the North Entrance is their introduction to Yellowstone National Park.
Driving through the Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner and continuing toward Mammoth Hot Springs is a memorable experience, particularly for first-time visitors.
Although the Roosevelt Arch and North Entrance will remain, the drive beyond the entrance will eventually look different.
Travelers who visited before the 2022 flood will remember the original river-level highway winding through Gardner River Canyon.
Those who visited between 2022 and the reconstruction will remember the temporary Old Gardiner Road climbing through the hills.
The Center Alignment will create a third version of this historic journey.
The new route promises wider lanes, gentler grades, improved safety, scenic overlooks, and more opportunities to explore the surrounding landscape.
Visitors will gain new parking areas, improved trailheads, and access to portions of the former road corridor that will be converted into recreational trails.
At the same time, Yellowstone will restore much of the damaged canyon roadway to a natural landscape.
The result will be a road designed to accommodate modern visitor needs while reducing the environmental risks associated with maintaining a highway directly beside the Gardner River.
Watch Yellowstone's Official North Entrance Road Flyover
To help visitors understand the proposed changes, the National Park Service released a detailed video illustrating the selected Center Alignment.
The video shows the proposed route from two perspectives:
• Bird's-eye view: An aerial flyover illustrating how the new roadway will connect Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs.
• Driver's-eye view: A simulated trip showing what motorists can expect to see while traveling along the new highway.
The visualization also highlights the proposed bridges, parking areas, scenic overlooks, trails, and restored portions of Gardner River Canyon.
Watch the official NPS video:
The video offers one of the clearest ways to understand how the new highway will differ from both the original road and the temporary route visitors currently use.
Final construction details may differ from the planning visualization.
A New Chapter for Yellowstone's Historic North Entrance
The devastating floods of June 2022 permanently changed Yellowstone National Park.
Entire sections of roadway disappeared, river corridors were reshaped, and communities surrounding the park faced significant disruptions.
The emergency restoration of the historic Old Gardiner Road was an impressive accomplishment that allowed Yellowstone's North Entrance to reopen just months after the disaster.
Now, more than four years later, the National Park Service has taken a major step toward a permanent solution.
The new Center Alignment represents a long-term investment in transportation safety, environmental restoration, and the visitor experience.
Although the original scenic drive alongside the Gardner River will not return in its entirety, the new road will introduce additional overlooks, recreational pathways, improved trailheads, and modern bridges.
For visitors planning Yellowstone trips between 2027 and 2030, construction may bring occasional inconveniences. But maintaining access through Gardiner remains an important goal.
Once completed, the new North Entrance Road will mark another major milestone in Yellowstone's recovery from one of the most destructive natural disasters in its history.
And for future generations of Yellowstone visitors, the drive between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs will begin a new chapter.
At Yellowstone Explored, we help travelers discover and experience Yellowstone National Park. We'll continue following the North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project and sharing updates as construction progresses.
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