I last visited Yellowstone National Park back in 2000 on a Backroads “multi-sport” trip. Although I was struck by its scale and beauty, I had not been back since. Because of their distance from major U.S. cities, America’s national parks are sometimes overlooked or taken for granted although you wouldn’t know it by the crowds they’ve attracted in recent years, particularly during the pandemic. Those crowds are way down this summer in Yellowstone because of the intense floods the park experienced back in June.

Days of heavy rain and mudslides on top of significant snowmelt washed away large portions of roads and damaged wastewater systems and other park infrastructure. Scores of people caught in the park when the rain hit were evacuated. Much of the damage occurred in the northern end of Yellowstone. The park was entirely closed for nine days. It’s still trying to get back on its feet.

Last week, I ventured to the northern entrance to the park. Nearby Gardiner, MT likes to call it nature’s favorite entrance to Yellowstone. A large gate blocks the road to vehicle traffic but pedestrians are allowed into the canyon beyond. You don’t have to walk far to see huge sections of roadway that have dropped into the river below. Other long stretches of asphalt are untouched just around the bend.

I’ve covered flooding many times over the years but the scale of this damage was truly impressive. The height and force of the water that filled the canyon in June must have been breathtaking. It’s doubtful that this winding road will ever be rebuilt the way it was before. National parks in the U.S. like this one now plan infrastructure projects with climate change in mind. Vulnerable parts of this one road could be even more vulnerable during more extreme weather events in the future.

One afternoon, we joined a convoy of vehicles as it was led down a dirt road from Mammoth Hot Springs inside the park north to Gardiner. This old stagecoach road serves as a temporary route for park employees, contractors and tour guides. Yellowstone officials hope the road, currently being upgraded, will allow the public to finally reach the park from Gardiner by mid-October.

By then, the summer tourist season will be over and the economic damage to this town of 900 will have been done. Gardiner thrived during the pandemic when people gravitated to outdoor activities. Then the flooding ground business to a halt. It was off an estimated 90 percent compared with a normal season. With luck, Gardiner and Yellowstone can once again regain their mojo and visitors will be back in droves to enjoy the splendor of this corner of Wyoming.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.