Upcoming Bozeman Ranger District Closures: Deer Creek Trailhead and East Fork Hyalite Road

Bozeman, MT- July 8, 2024— The Bozeman Ranger District announces two forthcoming closures. Deer Creek Bridge and Trailhead in Gallatin Canyon will be closed to vehicle traffic from July 8th to July 12th for bridge surveying. The East Fork Hyalite Road will be closed from July 15th to July 19th for road work.

Markley Bridge, also known as the “Green Bridge,” which spans the Gallatin River and provides access to the popular Deer Creek Trailhead and Deer Creek Trail #481, will be temporarily closed for bridge surveying. This bridge, nearly 100 years old, is scheduled for replacement due to its age and condition. Geotechnical testing during the week of July 8th will determine the foundation requirements for the new construction design. Foot traffic across the bridge will be permitted during the closure, and parking access across Highway 191 is available nearby to the north. This project is funded by the Great America Outdoors Act.

The East Fork Hyalite Road, providing access to the Palisade Falls and Emerald Lake trailheads, will be closed to all traffic from July 15th to July 19th. This closure is necessary as construction crews prepare the road for final paving to the Palisade Trailhead. The road will reopen on July 20th but will close again on July 29th for the final paving, which is expected to last until August 16th. All other roads and trailheads in the Hyalite drainage will remain open for recreationists during this closure.

This marks the final stage of a multi-year project aimed at maintaining and repairing high-priority recreation areas, allowing for better and more efficient maintenance of existing infrastructure in the future. The improvements also address safety concerns due to the heavy use the area receives and provide watershed benefits within a municipal watershed by reducing sedimentation in live streams and water bodies. This is a multi-million-dollar project funded by the Federal Lands Transportation Program.

“Both the Markley bridge and East Fork paving projects address critical infrastructure needs on our district,” said Corey Lewellen, District Ranger for the Bozeman Ranger District.  “These closures are temporary, and the results of the completed projects will provide long-term benefits for the public.   We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation while crews perform their work.”   For current updates or additional information please call the Bozeman Ranger District Office at (406) 522-2520.