Yellowstone National Park remains one of the busiest parks in the country, but this summer brought a surprise for RVers. According to the National Park Service stats page, “Yellowstone National Park saw a decrease of nearly 30% in recreational vehicles compared to the same period last year in July.”
Yellowstone RV camping decline
That dip also extended to other types of camping. The Service reported, “Overnight tent stays declined by 21% compared to July 2024, while backcountry camping numbers also fell by 2% compared to June 2024.”
The drop comes even as overall visits to the park remain strong. Yellowstone hosted 2,666,031 visitors so far this year, exceeding the pace from 2024 by 1.5%, and numbers are down by only 0.1% compared to its record year from 2021. For July specifically, the Park Service stated, “Visits are down by 2%, going from 992,352 to 975,109 this year.”
Only one in-park campground with full hookups
For many RVers, access may be part of the issue. At present, Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground that offers water, sewer and electrical hookups. The hookups are for hard-sided vehicles, omitting tents or tent-trailers. With just one full-hookup option inside Yellowstone, travelers may choose to camp outside the park or head to less-crowded destinations.
And then there’s the neighbors from the North
Canadian visitors may also be holding back. Northern Broadcasting reported that “Visits from Canadians are down by more than 30% compared to last year.” One Canadian traveler wrote online, “We’re looking to do a road trip through a few states (Montana, Utah, Idaho) this summer. Our (Canadian) gov is saying not to travel down there but like any government, it shouldn’t be trusted. So I ask the people instead! Should we be prepared for anything different?”
While some replies reassured them, others pointed to concerns at the border. As one person put it, “The problem isn’t the people, it’s the border control.” Another added, “I’d be more worried about the lack of oversight at customs and border patrol. They are not being held accountable.”
Still seeing lots of folks streaming through the gates
Despite the camping slowdown, Yellowstone’s long-term visitation trends remain impressive. The park’s history shows steady growth, with 2,462,535 visitors in 2023 and 1,855,396 in 2022, the year flooding forced an extended closure. Even during COVID restrictions, Yellowstone hosted 1,674,699 visitors in 2020.
For RVers, the numbers suggest a mixed picture. Yellowstone is still drawing crowds, but camping—especially RV camping—is showing signs of restraint. It may be time to pack up the rig and head to the big park. After all, there might be a spot for you.
Sources include thetravel.com
RELATED
- No, the animals aren’t fleeing Yellowstone—It’s just social media hype
- Yellowstone surprises scientists with rare new, blue, thermal pool
- Man flies drone in Yellowstone, gets grounded by rangers and ‘cowboy’
- German Shepherd jumps from car window, chases wolf in Yellowstone
- Another Yellowstone tourist gored by bison
- Popular geothermal area in Yellowstone National Park closed for summer
RVT1223b
We entered the Canadian border at Eureka Montana just north of Whitefish. No one in front of us at this crossing at 9am. Checked passports and no questions asked except guns and length of stay. She was the only employee that I saw. Returned at the same crossing into the US. Checked passports and on our way. Only one employee there also. Easy crossing if you are heading to Montana. I’d say if you don’t have a criminal record, no problem.
Just left Fishing Bridge a few days ago. The older part was definitely built for an era of smaller RVs. It was tight navigation with people parking tow vehicles any place they could squeeze them in. Power went out 3 times in 6 days. On the way in from Cody we saw lots of nice RV parks just outside of Yellowstone. We’d try one of those next time.
Thank you, Russ and Tina, for this interesting news. Maybe we’ll get out that way one of these years. Perhaps they’ll even have more campsites with at least 50-amp service and water by the time we finally get there. I guess we’ll see. Have a great day and safe travels!
According to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the data source for these numbers is recreation.gov. and not actual campsite occupancy.
Something as simple as converting a few sites from reservation only to FCFS will reduce the number of sites booked through recreation.gov and worse, the data also doesn’t reflect same day purchase of unoccupied “reservation only” sites. I have no doubts people are tired of seeing everything “sold out” in recreation.gov and the numbers less.
I’m stubborn but even I gave up and instead stay outside the park where it’s less crowded, less of a hassle to reserve and sized to better accommodate an RV. It’s not the Canadian’s fault….
All US/Canadian border crossings have reduced traffic. We have thoroughly enjoyed our Southwest Snowbird winters, but sadly no more for a few years. 🇨🇦
Miss U already. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
We’ll be fine. Enjoy Mexico!
You will be back. Your western provinces have had enough of Ottawa.
Plan to go to Yellowstone one day but probably just a drive through even though the camping may be down the crowds at popular NP’s are ridiculous
l prefer small out of the way places still have spectacular views just not all the people
We stayed at Fishing Bridge this June. Had to make that reservation at 12:15 AM, a year in advance, (good ‘ole Rec.gov.). FHU, 50 amp., Fees incl., over $130/night! Steep, but the park is HUGE! I’m sure it’s very labor intensive keeping idiots from stepping in geysers and petting fluffy cows. . .
We went in 2021, as our early 2020 reservations were cancelled. 2021was crowded, but we had great spots in Grant Village and Madison. Fishing Bridge was closed, but we still had lots of fun.
Canadians are not staying away from the U.S because of what our government says, it’s because of what your current government says.