News Release
NPS / Jacob W. Frank
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Contact: Public Affairs Office
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Yellowstone National Park hosted 570,272 recreation visits in May 2026, up 1% from May 2025 (566,363 recreation visits).
Visitation in May 2026 was the busiest on record for the month of May and showed a 20% increase from May 2021 (473,799 recreation visits), which was Yellowstone's record-breaking year with over 4.8 million recreation visits.
So far in 2026, the park has hosted 773,653 recreation visits, up 1% from 2025 (762,672 recreation visits), and up 19% from 2021 (649,153 recreation visits).
The list below shows the year-to-date trend for recreation visits over the last several years (through May):
2026 – 773,653
2025 – 762,672
2024 – 719,127
2023 – 644,979
2022 – 733,471 (The park was closed June 13 through June 21 due to the historic flood event. Three entrances opened on June 22.)
2021 – 649,153
Visiting Yellowstone National Park during the busy summer months? Plan ahead by browsing our top things to know and downloading the free NPS app. Protect yourself and the park by taking the Yellowstone Pledge, act responsibly and safely, and set a good example for others.
More data on park visitation, including how we calculate these numbers, is available on the NPS Stats website.
nps.gov/yell
About the National Park Service. The National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.
More Information
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Plan Your VisitYellowstone changes with the seasons—make the most of your visit! Plan ahead to keep your trip safe, fun, and unforgettable.
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SafetyStay on boardwalks, keep a safe distance from wildlife, store food properly—Yellowstone safety tips to protect you and the park.
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Yellowstone PledgeHelp us protect the park by taking the Yellowstone Pledge and learn how to put the pledge into action!
Last updated: June 9, 2026