Visitation to Yellowstone is up for July, but down overall from same time last year due to shut down

The park hosted 955,645 recreation visits in July 2020. This is a 2% increase from July 2019.

So far in 2020, the park has hosted 1,664,830 recreation visits, down 27.5% from the same period last year. 

That’s due in part to the park closing due to health and safety reasons related to COVID-19 beginning March 24, 2020. Two Wyoming entrances opened on May 18 and three Montana entrances opened on June 1, 2020. All five entrances have been open since June 1. 

The list below shows the year-to-date trend for recreation visits over the last several years (through July):

2020 – 1,664,830 

2019 – 2,294,690

2018 – 2,322,270

2017 – 2,316,542

2016 – 2,427,988

2015 – 2,279,557

The National Park is asking visitors to recreate responsibly and reduce the spread of COVID-19. If visitors are suffering from symptoms or are sick, do not visit the park. The Park suggests self-quarantine to avoid exposing others. Services are limited in the park.

Just over two weeks ago, two Yellowstone concession employees with symptoms recently tested positive for COVID-19. Once the positive tests were confirmed, these employees were isolated and mitigation steps were taken in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. Accordingly, health officials led contact tracing.  

Continuing to move forward, the park in partnership with the Wyoming Department of Health, will routinely take and test wastewater samples for a year to best protect public health.