Yellowstone Planning After the Flood

[GaWalker]

My wife and I have planned a 30+ day trip in mostly September west from the great state of Georgia to include the Black Hills, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Rocky Mountain NP and then back east. I have reservations in all of the National Parks and Custer. Now I have some questions on the Yellowstone portion after the flood damage.

We were planning to camp a night near Red Lodge and then take the Bear Tooth Highway to Yellowstone. I then have reservations for 4 nights in Indian Creek Campground followed by 3 nights in Madison. I assume that Madison will be open. Indian Creek - a bit south of Mammoth Springs area - is currently questionable.

If the northeast entrance remains closed but Indian Creek does open up it will be easy to change route thru Cody. My questions are about what to do if Indian Creek campground remains closed. Spend 4 days around Cody? Loop around the top of the park to West Yellowstone? I appreciate suggestions.

 

[gladecreekwy]

I’d stick with the plan for at least till august. The situation is still ongoing and no one really knows what’s going to happen in the next few weeks. Unfortunately the run off is still happening but thankfully the rain has subsided. One of the things to keep checking is the proposed timed entry schedule. What’s your camping requirements? Do you need hookups ? Boondocking ? Are you planning on seeing the Tetons?

 

[GaWalker]

Yes I have reservations for Tetons after Yellowstone. My question is what to do for 4 days outside of Yellowstone. I see good possibilities for going to Bilinings/Bozeman and on to West Yellowstone or spending 4 days around Cody. Hookups not required.

 

[gladecreekwy]

Yes I have reservations for Tetons after Yellowstone. My question is what to do for 4 days outside of Yellowstone. I see good possibilities for going to Bilinings/Bozeman and on to West Yellowstone or spending 4 days around Cody. Hookups not required.

There’s more to do around Cody than West IMP.

 

[tfischer]

I think it's highly unlikely the Northeast entrance will open this season. I think it's all but certain the North entrance will not.

It's also fairly likely that the entire north loop will be closed all season. This would include Indian Creek Campground and everything else off of that loop. This is just my speculation.

Madison campground is also currently closed, even though it isn't on the north loop.

 

[MileHigh]

From the NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/flood-recovery.htm

It is unlikely that Indian Peak or Madison will open at all this year. There is a lot to see in the Cody area and the East entrance is supposed to open on 6/22. I'd keep all your reservations but book backup spots. This situation is really changing from day to day but it is going to take a long time to repair the roads in the North loop. No one knows for sure though...

I have reservations at Grant Village in late August and then on to Colter Bay in the Grand Tetons. I plan on keeping them and see the park anyway (10th+ time). Coming into the East gate through Cody.

Check out the Irma Hotel in Cody. You could stay in Cody and go back and forth but unless you have reservations in YNP, you can only go in every other day based on your license plate (with some restrictions).

 

[tfischer]

It is unlikely that Indian Peak or Madison will open at all this year.

Do you know what the story is at Madison? I haven't seen any pics of that, or any specific damages mentioned, other than the fact it will not be reopening with the park next week.

 

[kudzu]

We did that same trip several years ago. Fantastic! From Cody, we went to a USFS campground near the Eastern entrance of Yellowstone. A few of those campaigns were no canvas because of bear activity but many were pup friendly. (We were in the Aliner so that opened up more options.) Going in that entrance was pretty quick as it has a lot less traffic. After a few nights e we moved to Madison. Not trying to talk you out of the Beartooth route. It’s on my list for next visit.

The Yellowstone & Tetons part of the trip has to be adjusted. Part of the route between the two parks was closed first by wildfire & then by snow! Must say I was thrilled to see bison in the snow, even if it was only several inches. This Georgia girl loves me some snow… assuming it melts away once I tire of it.

 

[kitphantom]

They have been good about posting updates on the FB page. At this point, I believe that damage is still being assessed, and it will take a very long time to make all the repairs.

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[GaWalker]

NPS has now posted that they expect to open the northern loop much earlier than expected. Northern and Northeast entrances look to remain closed as well as Lamar Valley. I am taking this as great news and only minor adjustments needed to plans.

 

[PopUpSteve]

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

See if you can stay one night at Chico Hot Springs, and do make a dinner reservation for the dining room. Its one of our "special places" to stay if in the area.