Yellowstone to reopen as of July 2 — with some exceptions
Fourth of July weekend travelers rejoice: 93% of the Yellowstone National Park's roadways will be reopened as of this Saturday, July 2, for the first time since devastating June flooding and landslides caused widespread damage within the park, officials say. Yellowstone's north loop will reopen along with the recently reopened south loop roadways, allowing vehicular traffic throughout the park. However, the park's north and northeast entrances from Montana will remain closed due to ongoing repairs to flood-induced road damage.
“We're pleased to reopen the north loop of Yellowstone to the visiting public less than three weeks after this major flood event," park Superintendent Cam Sholly said in a statement posted to the park's website.
Yellowstone's return to normal operations
Access to the north loop means vehicles can get to nearly all of the roadside sights for which the park is famous, including the Mammoth Hot Springs viewpoint and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone overlook in the north, plus Old Faithful along the south loop. Visitor services along the north loop and the Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Springs will reopen this weekend as well, and general stores and gas stations at Tower and Mammoth Hot Springs will be ready for business on Saturday. The Mammoth Hot Springs hotel, however, remains closed until further notice.
Entry procedures will return to normal operations at the park's east, south and west entrances. The north and northeast entrances are still closed to vehicle traffic (although visitors coming by foot are allowed northern entry).
Since the park's roadways will be almost fully reopened, Yellowstone will discontinue its recently instituted Alternating License Plate System. The program was designed to limit traffic by only allowing entry to cars with even or odd license plate numbers on alternate days. However, park officials said that the ALPS process may be reinstated if traffic and park capacity become an issue this summer.
Beginning Friday, July 1, most backcountry trail access and overnight camping will be open for use for foot and horse traffic, with trails along the north loop roadways opening on July 2. However, some trails and backcountry areas may remain closed due to flood damage and high water levels. Check on the latest conditions of specific trails on the Yellowstone website or at ranger stations within the park.
Lodging and campgrounds (with some exceptions) in the south loop of the park are now open for visitors with reservations but expect the sites to be fully booked throughout the summer. For last-minute trips, consider lodging in the many gateway towns around the park entrances, where hotels, motels, campgrounds and RV parks are plentiful (and usually cheaper than those within the park).
Related: A guide to visiting Yellowstone Park
Park officials still urge caution
While most of the roadways have reopened, park officials still urge travelers to use caution when hiking or camping in Yellowstone's extensive backcountry areas due to flood damage and dangerously high water levels along rivers. Much of Yellowstone's northern wilderness access will remain closed as the park further assesses the harm in remote areas. The park reports many trails in the northern areas have been "severely damaged" by mudslides, flooding and erosion, while some bridges have been completely washed away.
Yellowstone officials expressed hope "that some closed trails may reopen later this summer." Visitors are strongly encouraged to check with ranger stations and visitor centers to get the latest conditions on specific areas and trails (particularly if they plan to wander farther from the main roadside areas).
Meanwhile, two tourists were gored by bison in the park in the past couple of days in separate incidents after visitors didn't give the animals proper space.
"Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal," according to the park website's safety page.
Bison may look fuzzy and cuddly, but Yellowstone officials are reminding visitors that the animals "are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans." The park advises travelers to "always stay at least 25 yards away from bison." Remember that the extensive park flooding may cause the bison to be a little extra erratic as they are forced out of their regular grazing areas.
Similarly, the park has closed some backcountry areas for "bear management" in order to ensure the park's grizzly and black bear population has enough visitor-free space to roam.
As with every summer, park officials are warning visitors that crowds and traffic are expected to be very high. This is especially true on weekends and holidays, including the Fourth of July. Pack your patience on any summer trip to Yellowstone, and leverage these TPG tips for visiting busy national parks this summer.
Related: The best times to visit Yellowstone
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.