JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Things were a little quieter last month in Grand Teton, but not much. Slightly less visitors came to the park but those that did hiked more and camped more than ever before.
Grand Teton National Park statistics show that August 2021 had the fourth highest number of recreation visits for a month of August. The park hosted an estimated 696,564 recreation visits in August 2021. This is a less than 1% decrease from August 2019 (702,022 recreation visits) and a 1.96% decrease from August 2020 (710,198 recreation visits).
Camping in the park increased 13.2% in August 2021 compared to August 2019, while backcountry camping decreased 1.77%. Trail use in the park increased 20.5% in August 2021, compared to August 2019, on trails that use is counted.
August recreation visits over the last several years:
- August 2021 696,564
- August 2020 710,198(*) COVID-19 pandemic
- August 2019 702,022
- August 2018 692,074
- August 2017 716,690* Total Solar Eclipse
- August 2016 633,657* Berry Fire
Park staff is collecting data and conducting studies to better understand changing visitation trends in Grand Teton National Park. Historically, July and August have been the busiest months of the year at the park. Recent trends include increased visitation in the spring and fall.
Grand Teton National Park staff initiated several studies this summer regarding changing visitation, including visitor-use and experience studies at Colter Bay, Taggart and Lupine Meadows trailheads. These studies surveyed visitors in these areas to gain a better understanding of visitor demographics, visitor expectations, and more.
Researchers also placed a variety of vehicle movement monitoring equipment in the park through mid-August.
