With the south loop opening June 22, you'll still be able to see Old Faithful erupt, Yellowstone National Park / Rebecca Latson file

With the National Park Service (NPS) announcing plans for reopening the south section of Yellowstone National Park at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22, many travelers are preparing to visit the region’s main attraction. 

Those same travelers, however, have new questions. 

Cody Yellowstone, comprised of more than half of Yellowstone National Park as well the valley to the east of the park and the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse, has set up helplines at 1-307-586-1574 or 1-307-586-1571 for assistance booking accommodations in hotels and campgrounds. Information is also available by calling 1-307-587-2777 or online. 

The National Park Service is updating information at Flood Recovery and Operations - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov). 

Here are some of the latest questions: 

What is the south loop?

Think of the road system in Yellowstone as a giant “figure 8” or an oval with an east/west road running through the middle. The whole oval is known as the Grand Loop, and the top and bottom sections are the north and south loops. Roads from the north, south, east, west and northeast of the Grand Loop connect the park to various towns outside park borders. 

What about the rest of the park?

The National Park Service announced Monday expedited plans to reopen 80 percent of the park, with parts of the northern loop “expected to reopen in two weeks or less following completion of clean up, repairs and final inspection of the northern loop infrastructure.” Details of the plan can be found here. 

Which gates will open on Wednesday?

The East, West and South Gates will open at 8 a.m. 

Will everyone be allowed into the park?

No. In an effort to avoid traffic overwhelming this limited portion of the park, the National Park Service is implementing a system where your license plate number will dictate when you may enter through one of the gates. If it is an even number day – like June 22 – only vehicles with plates that end in an even number may enter. The next day the odd numbered vehicles get their turn. NPS explains the Alternating License Plate System (ALPS) online. 

What if my plate ends in a letter?

The last number in the plate will count. For example, if your plate says something like TME4Fun, the 4 is the deciding factor and you may enter on an even day. If your plate is all letters, you will enter on an odd day. 

What towns or cities are closest to these gates?

Cody is the gateway to the park from the east, Jackson to the south and West Yellowstone, Mont. to the west. 

What is there to see in the park in the southern section?

Many of the park’s top attractions are open including the Upper, Midway and Lower Geyser Basins. You will still be able to see Old Faithful erupt, mud pots bubble and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River fascinate.