JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Grand Teton National Park hosted an estimated 752,114 recreation visits in June 2021. That is a 61% increase from June 2020 (468,201 recreation visits) and a 20% increase from June 2019 (625,441 recreation visits). Historic data shows that June 2021 had the highest number of recreation visits on record for the month of June.
Here are June visits over the last several years:
- June 2021 752,114
- June 2020 468,201* COVID-19 pandemic
- June 2019 625,441
- June 2018 627,055
- June 2017 637,683
- June 2016 603,15
Camping in the park increased 36% in June 2021 compared to June 2019, while backcountry camping increased 73%. Trail use in the park increased 38% in June, compared to June 2019, on trails where use is counted.
Park staff are 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.
The park is initiating several studies this summer regarding changing visitation, including visitor-use and experience studies at Colter Bay, Taggart and Lupine Meadow areas. These studies will survey visitors in these areas to gain a better understanding of visitor demographics, visitor expectations, and more.
A transportation and visitor movement study is also being conducted in late July and early August to gain a comprehensive understanding of transportation and visitor movement to, through, and within the park. This study will help park mangers understand the relationships among the number of vehicles entering the park and the levels of use at key areas within the park.
Identifying common visitor traffic patterns and understanding how visitors disperse and move throughout the parks is also part of this study. Researchers will be surveying visitors and placing a variety of monitoring equipment in the park through mid-August.
