A recent outdoor recreation survey conducted by RRC Associates is helping shape conversations around winter access to Yellowstone National Park’s Northeast Entrance. At the center of the discussion is a stretch of U.S. Highway 212 (known locally as “the plug”) which has traditionally remained unplowed to support snowmobile use and preserve the unique winter character of gateway towns like Cooke City and Silver Gate.

RRC led a series of linked studies on behalf of tourism boards in Park County, Wyoming, and southern Montana. These included feedback from both residents and visitors, offering a comprehensive view of public sentiment around potential changes to winter access and recreation infrastructure.

Findings from the outdoor recreation survey revealed that a majority of respondents are open to plowing, particularly when combined with improvements such as added parking or an alternate snowmobile trail. The data also showed that most people would continue visiting the area even if plowing occurred, with minimal expected impact on snowmobile use. This points to the potential for a balanced solution that supports emergency access, visitor safety, and continued recreation.

As conversations continue, this survey is serving as a critical tool for agencies, land managers, and local communities. While any action will require environmental review, cross-agency coordination, and long-term funding, the availability of unbiased public data is helping advance the conversation in a productive and collaborative direction.

RRC Associates is proud to support this regional planning effort with neutral, data-driven insights. This project exemplifies how public opinion research can guide long-term recreation access decisions in gateway communities.

Learn more about our work in outdoor recreation research.