JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Yellowstone has tallied the gates for visitation over Memorial Day weekend and the numbers are eye-popping.
Park-wide vehicle entries through the Memorial Day weekend showed a 50% increase over the same weekend in 2019. This year is compared to 2019 because in 2020, during the same time frame, only the Wyoming park entrances were open due to COVID-19.
Anecdotal evidence in Grand Teton pointed to much the same as nice weather drew hundreds and hundreds to park lakes. Parking near Jenny and String lakes was nearly impossible and strung out for nearly a mile alongside the road on both sides.
Visitation statistics (*vehicle entries) per day for May 28-31, 2021, compared to May 24-27, 2019:
Summer is Yellowstone’s busiest season. Millions of people visit the park in June, July and August. If you plan to travel to Yellowstone this summer, plan ahead, expect crowding and recreate responsibly to protect yourself and the park.
