Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From the North Entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs
Junction
After you enter the park, you will follow the Gardner River through its canyon. You might
spot mule deer, bison, and bighorn sheep in the canyon, particularly in winter; elk and prong-
horn antelope are here year round.
This is the only entrance road that is kept plowed all winter long. It provides access to park
headquarters in Mammoth Village. The road from Mammoth eastward is also kept plowed
for winter access to the towns of Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana (outside the Northeast
Entrance).
It's only about 5 miles (8 km) from Gardiner to Mammoth, but the elevation gain from the
North Entrance to Mammoth of nearly 1,000 feet (300 m) is enough to make a noticeable dif-
ference in the climate and vegetation.
Road Log
0.0/5.3
Yellowstone National Park boundary. The boundary runs along the north side of Park
Street in the town of Gardiner. The road at the east end of town provides access for park per-
sonnel and passes National Park Service buildings and the concessionaire's warehouses. There
the garage built for Yellowstone Park Transportation Company buses still carries the com-
pany's traditional bear symbol and the sign, “Y.P.T. Co. 1925.”
The visitors' route now starts at the west end of Park Street, where you pass under the entry
arch. The Park Service plans to modernize this entrance to Yellowstone, stressing its history
while improving ambience, lighting, and traffic flow, in time for the NPS centennial celebra-
tion in 2016.
he
Yellowstone Association headquarters
and a small bookstore are located in a 1903
building by architect Reamer (designer of Old Faithful Inn). For over 60 years Hall's general
store occupied the first floor and a large auditorium or dance hall the second. A display in
the conference room compares Jackson's 1870s pictures with U.S.G.S. 1997 photos, such as the
Golden Gate canyon before and after a road was built.
(4)
North of the entrance arch are the covered tables of Arch Park. Beyond is the
Yel-
lowstone Heritage and Research Center,
containing the park's archives and library, as well as
the offices of the park historian and archaeologist.
