The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
46°F
Current Conditions
Few clouds
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Yellowstone’s 2017 visitation almost hits 2016 record

In this April 28, 2017, photo, Tonya Mathews, who has worked as the supervisor of the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park since 2009, poses for a photo in Gardiner, Mont. The park recorded its busiest year in visits in 2017. (Michael Wright / AP)
In this April 28, 2017, photo, Tonya Mathews, who has worked as the supervisor of the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park since 2009, poses for a photo in Gardiner, Mont. The park recorded its busiest year in visits in 2017. (Michael Wright / AP)
Associated Press

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Yellowstone National Park had recorded its second busiest season last year, lagging just behind the record set in 2016.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported Wednesday that the park counted about 4.1 million visits in 2017, just shy of the 4.25 million visits the year prior.

The park said visitation has increased by 40 percent over the last decade and that managers are grappling with the increase.

Dan Wenk, the park’s superintendent, said managers have been collecting information on visitor behavior so they can make informed decisions moving forward.

Park officials said they expect annual visitation to stay above 4 million in the future.