Coronavirus Update: Yellowstone National Park To Begin Phase One of Partial Reopening

The National Park Service announced Wednesday (May 13) that the Yellowstone National Park will start its first phase of reopening on Monday (May 18).

According to the National Park Service, the Yellowstone National Park, which is largely located in Wyoming, will reopen on a limited basis following the guidelines of the White House, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local and state public health offices.

The park which has been closed since March 24 will start to slowly reopen in a three-phase plan, Fox News reported. In the announcement made by the National Park Service, phase one will include access to roads, trails, and boardwalks, but "initially, only the lower loop of the road and adjacent trails will be open," as per Fox News.

The lower loop has access to Yellowstone Lake, Norris Geyser Basin, Canyon Village, West Thumb Geyser, and Grant Village. Visitors will also be allowed access to restrooms and gas stations, but gates from Montana and Idaho will remain closed.

The park officials are still discussing with Montana officials about reopening the rest of the park after its seven-week closure, park superintendent Cam Sholly told CBC News Wednesday.

Camping is still banned until phase two of the reopening and the dates on when this would happen are not yet released to the public. Other amenities such as boating, fishing, will still be prohibited and visitor centers will remain closed.

Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt said in a statement Wednesday, "These are incredible places that are special to the American public.” He also said that he appreciates the efforts that the park officials and health officials are doing to make the parks accessible to the public.

Gordon initiated the reopening of the state this month. On May 1, gyms, salons, and other businesses were permitted to operate with certain protective protocols to follow.

Wyoming has also lifted all out-of-state requirements, permitting tourists from all over to visit Yellowstone National Park, according to Fox News.

The Yellowstone National Park will not be requiring visitors to wear facemasks to enter the park but highly encourages it alongside observing physical distancing.