Roosevelt Arch

The Roosevelt Arch is a monumental gateway at the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, built from hexagonal basalt blocks. The structure features two towers with pedestrian passages and stands approximately 50 feet tall.

Construction took place in 1903, when President Theodore Roosevelt personally laid the cornerstone and deposited a time capsule filled with newspapers. This ceremony marked the nation's early recognition of the park as a place of national importance.

The arch bears the inscription 'For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People' from the 1872 conservation law, reflecting early American commitment to protecting nature. You can still read these words carved into the stone today and grasp what ideals guided the park's founders.

The structure is accessible year-round and sits directly at the park's main entrance, making it a natural first stop for visitors. The best spot for photographs is from the south side, where you can frame the entire structure and surrounding mountains in a single shot.

The original building plans included a lake and waterfall beside the arch, but engineers created only a small pond that no longer exists. These planned water features would have given the entrance a completely different look.

Location: Park County

Inception: 1903

Official opening: September 1, 1903

Part of: North Entrance Road Historic District

GPS coordinates: 45.02950,-110.70867

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:28