A Rails-to-Trails project is planned that will eventually connect West Yellowstone with Jackson Hole. The Hebgen Lake Ranger District of Custer/Gallatin National Forest recently announced their decision to convert approximately 9¼ miles of the abandoned Oregon Short Line rail bed into an improved multi-use, non-motorized path.
The route will run from West Yellowstone, Montana to Reas Pass on the Idaho/Montana border; and link with a 104-mile conceptual Greater Yellowstone Rail Trail. The total trail will ultimately connect West Yellowstone through Victor to Jackson. In their decision, forest personnel reasoned that the growth of tourism and recreation in and around West Yellowstone has exploded in recent years in conjunction with visitation to Yellowstone National park.
The decision calls for gravelling or paving the trail depending on available funding. Other work will involve installing three bridges to cross the South Fork of the Madison River, and installing small benches or picnic tables at strategically-placed resting stops.
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