Yellowstone National Park

Montanans who’ve been stuck in the house due to the coronavirus pandemic are finally getting some fresh air on the state’s campsites. That’s led to some unusually high visitor rates in some areas, while in others, campers are getting to know corners of the state they might not have otherwise thought to go.

All five entrances to Yellowstone National Park will be open to day-use visitors starting Monday at 10 am. Visitors will once again be able to access the park via the three Montana entrances next to West Yellowstone, Gardiner and Cooke City. Yellowstone’s two less-trafficked Wyoming entrances have been open since May 18.

Yellowstone National Park is seeking public comment on an updated proposal to replace, improve and expand existing Wi-Fi access in some areas.

Big sky country and big adventures drew in over 12 million tourists to Montana last year. As the state moves to reopen amid low COVID-19 case numbers, some Montana communities have to weigh the economic importance of tourism with local safety.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks announced plans to partially reopen in phases starting on May 18, after a seven week closure due to COVID-19. 

Starting Monday at noon, visitors will be allowed to enter Yellowstone National Park through its southern and eastern Wyoming gates. They’ll be limited to the lower loop of the park, which includes Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake and Hayden Valley.

As Yellowstone National Park moves closer to releasing its reopening plan, the community next to its busiest entrance is working on boosting its ability to test residents, workers and visitors for the COVID-19 illness. 

A group of winter tour guides in West Yellowstone say they were laid off after trying to unionize this winter. They’ve filed unfair labor practice charges against one of Yellowstone National Park’s leading concessionaires, which will be heard later this year. The case signals a rare but possibly growing interest among seasonal workers to organize.