MOOSE, Wyo. — Grand Teton National Park statistics show that Aug. 2021 had the fourth-highest number of recreation visits on record. The park hosted an estimated 696,564 recreation visits in Aug. 2021. This is a less than 1% decrease from the 702,022 visits in Aug. 2019 and a 1.96% decrease from the 710,198 recreation visitors in Aug. 2020.
Meanwhile, Grand Teton’s neighbor to the north, Yellowstone National Park hosted 921,844 recreation visits in Aug. 2021, making it the most-visited August on record.
The busiest Aug. in Grand Teton was back in Aug. 2017 when 716,690 visited the park. On Aug. 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse passed over Grand Teton National Park.
Camping in the park increased 13.2% in August 2021 compared to Aug. 2019, while backcountry camping decreased 1.77%. Trail use in the park increased 20.5% in Aug. 2021, compared to Aug. 2019, on trails that use is counted.
August recreation visits over the last several years:
Aug. 2021 696,564
Aug. 2020 710,198(*) COVID-19 pandemic
Aug. 2019 702,022
Aug. 2018 692,074
Aug. 2017 716,690* Total Solar Eclipse
Aug. 2016 633,657* Berry Fire
Park staff are collecting data and conducting studies to better understand changing visitation trends in Grand Teton National Park. Historically, July and August have been the busiest months of the year at the park. Recent trends include increased visitation in the spring and fall.
Grand Teton National Park staff initiated several studies this summer regarding changing visitation, including visitor-use and experience studies at Colter Bay, Taggart and Lupine Meadows trailheads. These studies surveyed visitors in these areas to gain a better understanding of visitor demographics, visitor expectations, and more.
Researchers also placed a variety of vehicle movement monitoring equipment in the park through mid-August.
