It’s been a pretty worrisome time for guest lodges in the Wapiti Valley, with travel restricted and Yellowstone National Park closed for nearly two months by the COVID-19 pandemic. But since the first phase of the park’s reopening last month, some lodge owners have found a ray of light in a pick-up of bookings by guests.

Yellowstone’s closure was announced March 28 to limit the spread of the virus. Wyoming’s East and South entrances to Yellowstone opened on May 18 with access for lower loop day travel — but only with limited services and no overnight campgrounds or lodging facilities.

The absence  of overnight lodging inside the park left a void that lodges outside the park borders could fill.

Mike Christiansen, owner of Shoshone Lodge just a few miles outside Yellowstone’s East Gate, sees it as an opportunity to recoup some lost business.

“We lost 180-plus reservations and groups,” he said. “Family reunions and events understandably canceled, as well as our high concentration of European travelers.”

Even the first phase reopening of Yellowstone has reversed some of those losses, he said.

“We are starting over with booking new guests, and some folks are just driving in for the night with the current limited lodging options,” Christiansen said.” Yesterday [Wednesday] we only had five cancellations and 12 new bookings, so things are looking up.”

Shoshone Lodge was booked for 95% occupancy for the season in the first week of March. The rash of cancellations dropped that seasonal outlook to an expected occupancy rate of 39% by early May.

“But now we’re up to about 50% occupancy,” Christiansen said, “so hopefully that trend will continue.”

The second phase of Yellowstone Park’s reopening may not be far off. In Phase 2, some campgrounds, visitor cabins and take-out food will open. Xanterra, the park’s main concessionaire, has said its lodging facilities will not open until June 15.

The West, North and Northeast entrances in Montana opened Monday.