How many people visit Yellowstone each year? (2023)

Page last updated: 20 August 2024

Yellowstone National Park attracts a broad range of domestic and international travellers with its diverse landscapes, unique geological features, and rich wildlife.

Recent Hydrothermal Event at Biscuit Basin

On July 23, 2024, a hydrothermal explosion occurred near the Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin (a collection of colourful thermal pools and geysers next to a river in Yellowstone National Park). The event sent boiling water, steam, and debris into the air, damaging part of the boardwalk. No injuries were reported, but the area has been temporarily closed for safety assessments. More details below.

Overview

How many people visit Yellowstone National Park each year?

About 4 million tourists visit Yellowstone National Park each year.¹

From 2015 to 2019, Yellowstone National Park consistently attracted over 4 million visitors annually.

However, in 2020, recreational visits to Yellowstone National Park dropped to 3.81 million due to global travel restrictions.

Yellowstone National Park experienced its highest number of visits in 2021, with 4.86 million recorded entries, despite 20% fewer campsites and hotel rooms due to the pandemic and construction. Many visitors left and re-entered the park after staying elsewhere, with each entry counted separately.

In 2022, the number of visits decreased to 3.29 million. However, in 2023, the park saw an increase in visitors, reaching 4.5 million, showing a return to higher visitation levels and representing a 36.7% increase from the previous year.

How many people visited Yellowstone National Park in 2022?

In 2022, Yellowstone National Park welcomed 3.29 million visitors.

This marked a 32.3% decrease from the previous year and a 28% drop compared to the visitor count in 2019.

Hydrothermal Explosion at Biscuit Basin – 23 July 2024

On July 23, 2024, at approximately 10:19 AM local time, a hydrothermal explosion occurred near the Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, located about two miles northwest of the famous Old Faithful Geyser. The event sent boiling water, steam, and debris into the air, damaging part of the boardwalk. No injuries were reported.

Location: Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Date and Time: July 23, 2024, 10:19 AM MDT
Type of Event: Hydrothermal explosion
Injuries: None reported
Damage: Boardwalk partially destroyed, extent still being assessed
Current Status: The area is temporarily closed for safety reasons

About Biscuit Basin

Biscuit Basin is a popular thermal area in Yellowstone, known for its colourful hot springs and geysers.
The area features the 120-foot-long Black Diamond Pool, the basin’s widest thermal feature.
Prior to this event, Biscuit Basin attracted thousands of visitors annually due to its accessibility and unique geothermal features.

Historical Context

Similar hydrothermal explosions occurred in Biscuit Basin in 2009, 1991, and after the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake.
These events occur 1-2 times per year in Yellowstone, often unnoticed in backcountry areas.
The largest known hydrothermal explosion crater on Earth is in Yellowstone, measuring 1.5 miles across.

Impact on Tourism

While it’s too early to quantify the impact, this event may affect short-term visitor numbers and spending in the park.
In 2023, Yellowstone attracted 4.5 million visitors, generating an estimated $630 million to the local economy.
The closure of Biscuit Basin may redirect tourists to other areas of the park, potentially affecting visitation patterns.

Expert Quotes

“Hydrothermal explosions, being episodes of water suddenly flashing to steam, are notoriously hard to predict.” – U.S. Geological Survey

“It’s a very good reminder of an underappreciated hazard in Yellowstone.” – Michael Poland, scientist-in-charge at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory

Safety Reminders

Visitors are urged to stay on designated boardwalks and trails in thermal areas.
At least 22 people have died from injuries related to thermal features in and around Yellowstone since 1890.

How much do visitors spend in Yellowstone National Park every year?

Tourists spend an average of $500 million visiting Yellowstone National Park each year.²

In 2017, spending at Yellowstone National Park was nearly $498.82 million and rose to $512.57 million in 2018. However, spending fell to $506.91 million in 2019.

Lower visitor numbers in 2020 led to decreased spending of $444.2 million, marking a 12.4% decrease from 2019.

In 2021, with a peak number of visitors, spending increased and also peaked at $630.28 million, a 41.6% rise as travel activities resumed.

However, visitor spending at Yellowstone was $452.03 million in 2023, a 28.3% decrease from the previous year.

How much did tourists spend at Yellowstone National Park in 2022?

In 2022, spending amounted to $452 million, which represented a decrease of 28.3% compared to the year before.

This spending was also 10.8% lower than the $506.9 million recorded in 2019.

Impact of Coronavirus ‑ Yellowstone NP Tourism Statistics 2020 & 2021

In 2020, Yellowstone National Park witnessed a decrease in visitor numbers to approximately 95% of the 2019 level, with spending also dropping to 88% of the 2019 revenue.

However, the park bounced back remarkably in 2021. Not only did it recover from the 2020 dip (witnessing a 20.9% increase in visitation and a 41.9% surge in spending), but it also surpassed the 2019 numbers. Visitation grew by 21%, and spending increased by 24% compared to 2019 levels.

Where do visitors to Yellowstone National Park come from?

In 2018, Yellowstone National Park welcomed numerous international visitors, with the largest group coming from China (149,000). This was followed by visitors from European countries, including Germany (93,000), France (74,000), and Switzerland (38,000). Canada also contributed a considerable number of visitors (92,000).³

How popular is Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. ⁴

In 2023, Yellowstone received 4.5 million recreational visits, making it the fourth most popular national park in the country.

Which National Park has the most annual visitors?

The most visited national park in the United States in 2023 was Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with 13.3 million recreational visits.

When is the best time to visit Yellowstone?

The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is during the late spring (April to May) and early fall (September to October).

During these periods, the weather is generally mild, and the park is less crowded compared to the peak summer months. Wildlife is also more active in these seasons, making it ideal for wildlife viewing.

What is the best month to visit Yellowstone National Park?

The best month to visit Yellowstone National Park is September.

In September, the summer crowds have diminished, the weather is still relatively warm, and the chances of encountering wildlife are high. Additionally, many of the park’s facilities and roads remain open, offering a full experience of the park’s attractions.

When is the busiest time of year at Yellowstone?

The busiest time of year at Yellowstone National Park is during the summer months, particularly in July and August.⁵

During this period, the park can see daily visitor numbers reaching over 30,000. This is the peak tourist season due to the warmer weather and school vacations, leading to crowded roads, trails, and attractions.

How much does it cost to visit Yellowstone National Park?

The cost to visit Yellowstone National Park varies depending on the type of entrance pass.

As of 2024, the entrance fee for Yellowstone National Park is $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, and $20 per individual on foot or bicycle, valid for seven consecutive days.

An annual pass specific to Yellowstone costs $70, while the “America the Beautiful” pass, covering all U.S. national parks, is $80 per year.

What is the closest airport to Yellowstone National Park?

The closest airport is Yellowstone Airport (WYS) in West Yellowstone, Montana, which is open seasonally.

Other nearby airports include Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), and Cody Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD).

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Facts about Yellowstone National Park

Where is Yellowstone National Park located?⁶
Yellowstone National Park is located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, with parts extending into Montana and Idaho. It sits on the Yellowstone Plateau.
How big is Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone covers about 2.2 million acres, making it one of the largest national parks in the U.S.
How deep is Yellowstone Lake?
Yellowstone Lake is about 400 feet deep and covers 136 square miles.
How old is Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone was established on March 1, 1872, making it the first national park in the world.
What is Yellowstone National Park known for?
Yellowstone is known for its geothermal features, like Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and its diverse wildlife, including bison and grizzly bears.
What wildlife can be found in Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone is home to bison, elk, grizzly bears, wolves, and many bird species, among other wildlife.
How many waterfalls are in Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone has over 290 waterfalls, with the most famous being the Lower and Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River.
How many geysers are in Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone has over 500 active geysers, the largest concentration in the world.
What is the history behind Yellowstone as the first national park?
Yellowstone National Park was established on March 1, 1872, by an act signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. It was the first area in the world to be designated as a national park, setting a precedent for the preservation of natural areas globally. The park was created to protect its unique geothermal features and vast wilderness from commercial exploitation.
How many geothermal features are in Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park is home to more than 10,000 geothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. This concentration of geothermal activity is a result of the Yellowstone Caldera, a massive volcanic system beneath the park. The park’s geothermal areas are divided into major basins such as the Upper, Midway, and Lower Geyser Basins.

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References

NPS: National Park Annual Visitation ↩︎
NPS: National Park Annual Visitor Spending Effects – 2019 to 2022 report ↩︎
NPS: Yellowstone NP 2018 Survey – Top Inbound Market ↩︎
NPS: 2023 Annual Park Ranking Report ↩︎
NPS: Recreation Visits by Month – Yellowstone NP ↩︎
YNP: The World’s First National Park ↩︎