Wyoming Highway 24 Explained

State:WY
Type:WY
Route:24
Alternate Name:Bear Lodge Highway
Map Custom:yes
Map Notes:WYO 24 highlighted in red
Length Mi:46.26
Length Round:2
Established:1961
Direction A:West
Terminus A: at Carlile Junction
Direction B:East
Terminus B: at the South Dakota state line
Counties:Crook
Previous Type:WY
Previous Route:22
Next Type:I
Next Route:25

Wyoming Highway 24 (WYO 24), also known as the Bear Lodge Highway, is a 46.72miles state highway in Crook County, Wyoming, United States. that connects U.S. Route 14 (US 14) in Carlile Junction with South Dakota Highway 34 (SD 34) at the South Dakota state line. The route passes through the northern portion of the Bear Lodge Mountains, part of the Black Hills National Forest. The highway also passes by Devils Tower National Monument.[1]

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Route description

WYO 24 is begins at US 14 in Carlile Junction (also known as Devils Tower Junction). From its western terminus, it travels in a north–south direction, although the route is signed east–west. It is mainly a two-lane highway from US 14 to near Devils Tower National Monument. When it gets to Devils Tower, it spawns a short spur, Wyoming Highway 110 (WYO 110). After passing by WYO 110, it curves northeast-southwest. The road reaches Hulett, where it intersects Wyoming Highway 112. In Hulett, WYO 24 is dubbed Main Street and A Street. Moving on, WYO 24 curves to the signed east–west orientation, but curves northwest-southeast. WYO 24 passes by some gulches, most notably Reservoir Gulch and Lucky Gulch. WYO 24 then turns south, then generally follows the east–west orientation. It then intersects Wyoming Highway 111 a short time later. There are no further major junctions and towns on the route, as WYO 24 crosses the state line and becomes SD 34.

History

WYO 24 was not in the original State Highway grid until 1961. The predecessor to this route was Wyoming Highway 514.

In 2018, the speed limit on WYO 24 near Devils Tower was reduced from 65mph to 45mph due to higher traffic volumes during peak travel seasons and the road's history of collisions.[2] The monument had its highest visitor count in 2021, which saw traffic jams from the entrance that slowed a section of WYO 24.[3]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: O'Clair . Jim . September 23, 2018 . Wyoming's Highway 24 . . June 24, 2023.
  2. News: May 25, 2018 . Reduced speed limit in effect near Devils Tower . . June 24, 2023.
  3. News: Cook . Hugh . February 4, 2022 . Devils Tower experienced a record 2021, and officials are planning for a future of increased tourism . . June 24, 2023.