They’ve been a thing ever since President Teddy Roosevelt first began designating certain forests as national parks in the 1900s, but many people have begun to take a closer look at the treasures they hold. National park use has been at record highs since the pandemic period. Close to home.
The flip side of this type of exploration is overcrowding as the number of visitors increases. Mount Rainier in Washington state, Zion in Utah, and Yosemite in California are all considering ways to address the problem, from increasing admission prices to requiring advance registration for a timed visit.
This month, the National Park Service (NPS) also warned of traffic delays in Yellowstone National Park, which straddles Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. In addition to increased visitor numbers as the summer season approaches, two road construction projects are expected to cause delays of up to 30 minutes at park entrances.
Yellowstone is one of the country’s most beloved national parks.
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NPS reminds visitors to “plan accordingly for these delays”
“The Lewis River Bridge and Yellowstone River Bridge projects will result in traffic delays,” NPS said in a statement. “It is important that visitors plan accordingly for delays that may occur along the south and north road corridors of the park.”
From early May to the end of October, delays of up to 20 minutes will occur on 16 miles around the Lewis River Bridge and near the south entrance on South Entrance Road, and along Northeast Entrance Road near Tower Junction. There will be a delay of up to 20 minutes. Delay of up to 30 minutes.
The main road will be open to vehicular traffic with a delay, but the pull road and the trail to Lewis River Falls will also be closed during construction.
“Expand to match the increase in visitors”
The two construction projects have started in the past two years, but will reach their most active period in the coming months. Both are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.
“Upstream, a new 1,285-foot-long, 175-foot-tall steel girder bridge will replace the existing 604-foot-long bridge, maintaining year-round access to the Northeast Entrance and communities of Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana. ” the NPS further stated. “A new pullout, paved parking lot, and a dedicated route across a new bridge will improve access to trails, fishing, and observation decks. Yellowstone River Picnic Area expanded to accommodate increased tourist use. It will be done.”
Earlier this month, NPS also announced that the Ramsey Cascades Trail to see waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Tennessee-South Carolina border will be closed almost daily through fall due to a similar road repair project. announced.
To ensure those who wish to hike can do so, it will be open on a staggered schedule allowing admission on Fridays and weekends, and on holidays between now and early November.
“Trail staff will repair treads, improve drainage, construct trail structures such as steps, turnpikes, and retaining walls, and remove trip hazards such as exposed roots and rocks,” NPS said in a statement. Stated. “The rehabilitation will improve the overall safety of the trail and protect the park’s natural resources.”
