JACKSON, Wyo. — Visitation last month in Grand Teton National Park was higher than the previous August, pre-COVID.
Grand Teton National Park hosted an estimated 710,198 recreation visits in August 2020, a 1.2% increase compared to August 2019. Park statistics show that August 2020 saw the second-highest number of recreation visits on record for the month of August, eclipsed only by August 2017.
The list below shows the August trend for recreation visits over the last several years:
- 2020 – 710,198
- 2019 – 702,022
- 2018 – 692,074
- 2017 – 716,690 (Total Solar Eclipse)
- 2016 – 633,657 (Berry Fire)
- 2015 – 651,245
This summer, most hiking trails in the park had increased daily traffic and all campgrounds in the park were filling earlier each day when compared to previous summers. In general, hiking use in the park has increased by approximately 26% and camping in concession-operated campgrounds increased 13% with backcountry camping down 10% in August 2020 compared to August 2019.
While August 2020 saw a slight increase in recreation visits compared to August 2019, in July of this year, Grand Teton hosted an estimated 755,762 recreation visits, a 3% decrease compared to July 2019. This was the fourth-highest number of recreation visits on record for the month of July.
Visitor services in Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway are beginning to wind down from the summer season.
