The North Entrance of Yellowstone has opened as a thruway, not a gateway.
Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly says the North Entrance is functionally open ahead of the anticipated June 1st opening for all three Montana entrances. The reason for this early concession is Cooke City, Montana. Unlike the other gateway communities, it has been completely isolated and unable to adequately prepare for the summer season. On one side of Cooke City is the park itself, which has been completed closed since mid-March. Even the northern roads remain closed at this time. On the other side of Cooke City is the Beartooth Highway, which has yet to be plowed on the Wyoming side.
Sholly has allowed the North Gate and Northeast Gate to function as a highway and lifeline for anyone travelling between Gardiner, Cooke City and/or Silver Gate. But that’s all they’re allowed to do. There will be no recreating or stopping along the routes between the two gates and speed limits will be strictly enforced. This should give a measure of relief to Cooke City and its residents, and allow them to prepare for the upcoming onslaught of summer tourism.
Montana governor Steve Bullock is expected to be easing several of its public health orders on June 1st, including the 14-day visitor quarantine and capacity in bars and restaurants. At this point, Yellowstone will likely be fully open – at least as much as it can be, given the circumstances.
