Recording Breaking Visitors In Yellowstone National Park

Man oh man, tourist season is officially in full swing. It’s that time of year when locals and out-of-staters alike are all flocking to Yellowstone National Park. No surprise there—Yellowstone is easily one of the most iconic, bucket list-worthy places in the country. And this year? The park just shattered its all-time visitation record for the month of May.

READ MORE: Two Montana Locations Make Top 5 For Best Summer Vacations In U.S.

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This is a big deal, because the previous record wasn’t exactly a slow month. In May 2024, Yellowstone saw a whopping 522,450 visitors. Fast forward to May 2025, and that number jumped by 8%, bringing in 566,363 people in just one month.

So far this year, the park has racked up 762,672 recreation visits—that’s a 17% increase compared to the same time in 2021. To put that into perspective, it’s like the entire population of Bozeman visiting Yellowstone almost 10 times in one month. That’s a whole lot of car snacks and bear spray.

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How to Prep for Your Yellowstone Trip
With crowds like that, it’s smart to plan ahead. Yellowstone’s website has a helpful “Top Things To Know” guide, and the number one tip is simple: be ready for long wait times at entrances and please be patient. The bison aren’t in a hurry, and you probably won’t be either.

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Bottom line?
If you're planning a trip this summer, do your homework, pack your patience, and maybe bring a snack—or three. Yellowstone's booming, and it's worth the wait.

6 Things You May Not Know About Yellowstone National Park

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Vintage Photos Of Montana

It's hard to imagine what Yellowstone National Park would look like in black and white. We are so used to seeing the colors that make it one of America's favorite travel destinations. Jezel Doughert's grandmother passed away and like many of us do, she spent hours going through years and years of history, from old yearbooks to news clippings, to pictures. Jezel sent me a piece of history that, if not for her, I wouldn't be able to share with you.

Gallery Credit: Megan Shaul

Montana's 7 Most Charming Small Towns

Looking for small-town charm? You certainly don't have to look far in Montana. No matter which part of the state you're in, there's a charming small town near you. But which of these small towns are the most charming? We take a look at 7 Montana towns that make the list.

Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf

Filed Under: Yellowstone