Gibbon Canyon Road Project Prompts Temporary Fishing Closure

Date: July 9, 2009
Contact: Al Nash, 307-344-2015
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2009 09-053
Al Nash or Stacy Vallie (307) 344-2015

Hazards associated with a major road project have prompted Yellowstone National Park to institute some temporary closures to fishing and foot travel along a section of the Gibbon River.

Work started earlier this summer on a section of the park’s Grand Loop Road between Norris and Madison. Construction crews recently began work building a new bridge spanning the Gibbon River. This requires the use of heavy equipment including a large crane over and near the river, resulting in unsafe conditions for public access.

Effective immediately, the section of the Gibbon River from one-half mile above Gibbon Falls to one mile south of Gibbon Falls is closed to all anglers and hikers.

Signs are posted along the riverbank showing the closure area. Motorists are allowed to stop and park only at un-barricaded pullouts outside the area where traffic control personnel are guiding traffic through the construction zone.

The road project enters a new phase August 17, when the road will be completely closed to all traffic between Artist Paint Pots and the Tuff Cliff Picnic Area. During this full closure, anglers will be allowed to access the Gibbon River between Artist Paint Pots to the bridge north of the Monument Geyser Basin trailhead and from one mile south of Gibbon Falls to the Tuff Cliff Picnic area as long as they don’t walk on, along, or near the road.

Full sized maps showing both fishing closures are available at July 9 to August 16 and August 17 to Nov 1

A Yellowstone National Park Fishing Permit is required to fish in the park. Fishing permits issued by the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are not valid inside the park. Permits are available at ranger stations, visitor centers, Yellowstone General Stores and at many locations in nearby communities. Details and a copy of current fishing regulations are available online at http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing.htm.

Maps and additional details on park road construction projects will be available at all visitor centers and online at http://www.nps.gov/yell. Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is always available 24 hours a day by calling 307-344-2117.