Overview
- The National Park Service says the 21-mile loop reopened this week after a six-year partial closure that began with a 2019 slump and subsequent failures.
- Inclement weather has temporarily closed the newly reopened route to vehicles, with access to resume when conditions improve.
- Construction on the six-mile segment lasted about two and a half years and finished in October, according to Sen. John Hoeven.
- Repairs included full reconstruction with drainage upgrades, slope work, resurfacing, and visible rock and concrete stabilization along steep bluffs.
- Restored access includes Scoria Point and Badlands Overlook, and the full loop positions the park for expected visitor growth tied to the July 4, 2026 presidential library opening.