Decrease in visitor numbers at Yellowstone National Park during July 2025 and year-to-date figures, slightly lower than those of the previous year.
Yellowstone National Park Sees Slight Decrease in July Visitor Numbers
Yellowstone National Park, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, experienced a slight decrease in visitor numbers in July 2022. According to park records, a total of 975,109 recreational visitors passed through one of the five entrances during the month.
This figure represents a 2% decrease compared to July 2021, when 992,352 visitors were recorded, and a 10% decrease compared to the record-breaking July of 2021, which saw 1,080,767 visitors[1][2][3].
The lower visitor count for 2022 compared to 2021 and other years is largely attributed to the historic flood event that occurred in June 2022. The flood led to a closure of the park from June 13 through June 21, significantly limiting access and reducing the number of visits that month[1][2][3].
Despite the dip in July 2022, Yellowstone's overall visitation trends show strong recovery and stability post-pandemic. The year-to-date visitor count as of the end of July 2022 is 2,666,031, which is 1.5% higher than the same time in 2021 (2,626,091) and only 0.1% lower than the 2021 total (2,668,765)[1][2][3].
It's worth noting that the visitor count in July 2022 is not the highest for the year so far. June, July, and August are traditionally the busiest months in Yellowstone National Park, with June 2022 visitor numbers yet to be reported[1][2][3].
In conclusion, the historic June 2022 flooding and associated temporary park closures are the main reasons for the decrease in visitor numbers for July 2022 compared to previous years. Despite this temporary setback, Yellowstone National Park continues to attract a significant number of visitors, demonstrating its enduring appeal and resilience.
[1] National Park Service. (n.d.). Yellowstone National Park Visitor Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/management/statistics.htm [2] National Park Service. (n.d.). Flood Recovery and Response. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/management/flood-recovery-and-response.htm [3] National Park Service. (n.d.). Yellowstone National Park Road Information. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/road-information.htm
Despite the temporary decrease in July 2022 due to the impact of the flood in June, many tourists still chose to explore Yellowstone National Park's lifestyle, potentially planning their travels for a later period. The park's year-to-date visitor count indicates a strong recovery and stability in visitor numbers post-pandemic, showing that travel to Yellowstone remains a popular choice for many.
