MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Yellowstone National Park recorded its busiest May in history this year, drawing more than 566,000 recreational visitors, according to recent data from the National Park Service.
The May 2025 figures represent an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024 and a 20% jump from May 2021. The spike in visitation places this May at the top of the record books for the park’s early-season attendance.
From January through May, Yellowstone has logged over 762,000 visits—up 6% from the same period last year and 17% higher than in 2021. Annual visitation to the park has fluctuated in recent years, impacted by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and historic flooding in 2022 that forced temporary closures.
A breakdown of year-to-date totals through May shows a steady rebound and growth in interest:
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2025: 762,672
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2024: 719,127
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2023: 644,979
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2022: 733,471
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2021: 649,153
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2020: 145,849
Park officials urge summer travelers to prepare in advance, noting that peak season brings large crowds and increased safety concerns. Tips, updates, and trip-planning tools are available through the official National Park Service website and mobile app.
More details on visitation trends and reporting methods can be found at irma.nps.gov/Stats.
