New Record for Yellowstone

[Oakman]

Yellowstone has set a new attendance record with 3.8 million visitors through the month of September. Depending on the number of visitors in the last quarter of the year it is quite possible the final number could be 4 million visitors. The previous record was set in 2010 with 3.6 million visitors. The majority of folks visit the park between mid-May through September, so now you know why it is so crowded.

[lbrjet]

I have to wonder how these 'visitors' counts are computed. We stayed just outside the park and entered 6 times, while had we stayed in the park it would have been 1. So we ourselves added six visits to the total.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[aceinspp]

Looking at that pic not a place I want to visit to much traffic. Later RJD

[DocsDad]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Looking at that pic not a place I want to visit to much traffic. Later RJD

We had plans to go this year and they fell apart. We will likely pass thru "one of these days" as it is a very large area... but I agree. Scenes like that take away some of the tranquility. And that is what we seek.

[leefl]

Wasn't quite that bad when we stayed (cabin, not camping) in the area a couple of years ago, but certainly busy in a few areas, especially the road into the park from West Yellowstone. We are planning to pass through on a camping trip next summer.

You can buy 1 week or 1 month passes at the gate, from what I recall, so I wonder if they count people who re-enter multiple times on a pass as 1 visitor, or as multiple.
Also wonder how they count how many people are in each vehicle. I guess it's all probably just estimated based on number of vehicles and a rough survey of the average number of people per vehicle.

[DreiHunde]

So...Yellowstone in October. Got it.

[mbutts]

Originally Posted by DreiHunde

So...Yellowstone in October. Got it.

We just became empty nesters and can't get over how easy it is to get reservations during the school year!

[Capt. Mike]

We were there for 8 days from Aug 31 through Sept 7. The park was busy, but not crowded. We stayed at Fishing Bridge, and although they had their "campground full" sign out every night, there were a lot of empty sites each night...probably reserved but "no shows". Roads were not crowded, traffic flowed smoothly except for long delays where they were doing major road construction. most of the other campgrounds in the park, other than Fishing Bridge, seemed to have lots of room.

After schools re-open in August/September is definitely the time to go...and that holds true for a lot of places.

Mike

[peaceparson]

Rushmore and Spearfish Canyon (South Dakota) are quite beautiful and not nearly as crowded. The North Dakota Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park are also beautiful any time of the year, and not crowded. I like to get away from all of the hustle and bustle, so head for places where mine is the only car on the road, and there are plenty of campsite choices. Millions of people do not excite me at all!

[DNBINFV]

We were there with some friends from Aug 20th to Aug 25th, also stayed at Fishing Bridge. Had the same experience as Mike. A few of the more popular parking lots were pretty full, we just had to walk farther.

[rrfullmer]

We will be in Yellowstone next week and we will let you know how crowded it is in mid October

[Gleaner]

We got there on the 13th.
Now, don't get me wrong, there were plenty of bodies at major view stops big enough for buses, but the vast majority of "traffic jams" were people (some known as, idiots)
stopping in the road when a bear, bison, elk, deer, moose, tree squirrel, toad, horse fly or bird were spotted.
Or when you had to stop to wait for a flag car in road construction.


It was a great time and we can't wait to go back.

[Mountndream]

Wife and I try to go to the parks after School starts. Alot less crowded. For mountainous parks, most parts are snowed in still when school lets out in the summer.

[seigell]

It doesn't matter WHICH of the National Parks, unless it is "Only a Squirrel", any Wildlife will cause "Wildlife Jams" where Cars and RVs and Buses all stop in the Middle of the Road and hang our their Windows (or actually abandon their Cars to stand in/near the Roadway) with their Camera and iPhones trying to get that Ansel Adams shot.

[PokerDealer]

been to Yellowstone many times, from different directions, have always avoided the crowds. October is the greatest month by me, the Elk and deer are in rut, I've seen bear and wolf.... I stay on my side of the glass and 100 yards is plenty close for me. Rushmore and crazy horse, spearfish are all great places as well...

[searay245se]

We made it there the evening of Sept.11...a Friday and it was packed.We drove through the park taking pictures and looking to get a spot with no luck.(should have stopped at fishing bridge on the way in)We ended up going out the north side and stayed the night at a little pay as u stay(7 bucks).Nice little parking spot(primitive).

[Santabobswife]

The picture may be a little misleading in that vehicles stop and gather around wildlife sightings. Just our experience. We love Yellowstone.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by peaceparson

I like to get away from all of the hustle and bustle, so head for places where mine is the only car on the road, and there are plenty of campsite choices. Millions of people do not excite me at all!

Me too. To me, Yellowstone is like the Mall of America the Friday after Thanksgiving!

[bruduer]

We were there mid September and surprised how busy the park was. Ranger we talked with said that next year being the centennial anniversary of NPS, they are preparing for close to five million visitors.

[spock123]

DW and I love Yellowstone


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums