Page last updated: 13 September 2024
How many people visit Yosemite National Park each year?
Over 3.89 million tourists visited Yosemite National Park in 2023.
- Yosemite National Park welcomed 4.42 million visitors in 2019. However, when the pandemic hit in 2020, this number dropped by 48% to 2.27 million.
- By 2021, Yosemite National Park’s tourism began to recover, reaching 3.29 million visitors.
- Tourist numbers continued to rise in 2022 with 3.67 million visits, and in 2023, the figure climbed to 3.9 million.
How much do visitors spend at Yosemite National Park every year?
In 2023, visitor spending at Yosemite National Park amounted to $526.57 million.
- In 2019, visitors to Yosemite National Park generated $546.60 million in expenditure. Visitor spending dropped by 49% in 2020 ($273.84 million) due to the pandemic.
- Yosemite National Park recovered in 2021 matching the pre-pandemic figure of $437.28 million.
- Tourist spending reached $497.55 million in 2022, with a further increase of 5% to $526.57 million in 2023. However, this was still below pre-pandemic figures.
How many people visited Yosemite National Park in 2023?
- In 2023, Yosemite National Park welcomed a total of 3.9 million visitors, with 1.14 million overnight campers and 2.75 million same-day tourists. This marked an 11% decrease from the 4.42 million visitors recorded in 2019.
How much did tourists spend in Yosemite National Park in 2023?
- Visitors to Yosemite National Park spent almost $526.57 million in 2023, nearly matching pre-pandemic spending levels with just a 3% drop.
Impact of Coronavirus
Yosemite National Park Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021
- Yosemite National Park visitor numbers fell to 2.27 million in 2020, marking a decrease of 48% from the 2019 figure of 4.42 million. Although there was a slight uptick to 3.67 million visitors in 2021, this was still far below pre-pandemic levels.
- Tourist spending followed a similar trend. After maintaining around $500 million in 2018 and 2019, expenditure dropped to $273 million in 2020, showcasing a drop of over 50%. However, in 2021, visitor spending increased to $437 million.
How popular is Yosemite National Park?
- Yosemite National Park ranked 3rd as “Best U.S. National Park in 2024”. It is known for its iconic waterfalls like Vernal and Bridal Veil Falls, and famous granite landmarks such as Half Dome and El Capitan.
- Yosemite National Park ranked 6th as the most visited national park in the U.S.A. in 2023.
Read more about the U.S. National Park Ranking.
When is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park?
- Late spring and early fall are the best times to visit if you would like to experience Yosemite with fewer crowds, vibrant wildflowers, and waterfalls at their peak flow.
- Arriving before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. helps avoid traffic congestion and long delays, especially during busier months.
- Summer, from late May to early September, is the park’s busiest season, with large crowds as visitors flock to enjoy outdoor activities and the iconic scenery.
What were Yosemite National Park’s peak tourist months in 2023?
- August saw the highest number of visitors, with 593,378 people visiting the national park. This was due to the peak of the summer season and perfect weather conditions.
- With 580,357 visitors, July was also a highly active month. The height of summer brought ideal conditions for hiking, rock climbing, and camping.
- In September, 559,464 visitors explore the park, due to its cooler temperatures and slightly less crowded than the summer peak.
- October 2023 had 488,566 visitors, mainly attracted by Yosemite’s spectacular fall foliage.
- June attracted 487,618 visitors as it marked the start of the busy summer season. It became a prime time for families and adventurers to enjoy the park’s full range of outdoor activities.
What are the most popular types of camping at Yosemite National Park in 2023?
- Concessionaire lodging is the most popular type, with 565,644 visitors in 2023. It involves staying in accommodations such as lodges or cabins provided by concessionaires within the park.
- Tent Campers with 275,278 visitors, traditional tent camping is a popular choice for tourists who want a more immersive outdoor experience, staying in designated campgrounds.
- RV camping attracted 196,092 visitors, offering a blend of comfort and convenience, with access to park amenities while still staying close to nature.
- Backcountry camping, with 103,997 visitors, appeals to adventurous tourists who prefer remote, off-the-grid camping, often involving long hikes to less accessible areas of the park.
Yosemite National Park Facts
- Wildlife: Yosemite is home to:
- 90 mammal species
- 150 bird species
- 12 amphibians
- 22 reptiles
- 6 native fish species.
- Endangered species can also be found in this park include the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep and yellow-legged frog.
- 90 mammal species
- Flora: The park features around 1,500 species of flowering plants, 35 tree species, and 36,620 acres of meadows.
- Waterfalls: Yosemite Falls is the tallest in North America at 2,425 feet, with other notable waterfalls like Bridalveil Fall (620 feet) and Vernal Fall (317 feet).
- Climate: The average precipitation is 37.2 inches, with average snowfall at 29 inches.
What are the most common causes of accidents that happened in Yosemite National Park?
A total of 11,742 accidents happened in Yosemite National Park from 2014 to 2021. Below are the main causes of accidents:
- In Need of Medical Assistance (5,486 incidents)
- Vehicle Accidents (3,723 incidents)
- Search and Rescue Operations (1,768 incidents)
- Human-Bear Incidents (455 incidents)
- Bears Hit by Vehicles (195 incidents)
- Fatalities (115 incidents)
What are the most common causes of death in Yosemite National Park?
There were 187 deaths in Yosemite National Park from 2007 to 2023. Here are the main causes of death in this park:
- Falls (65 deaths)
- Medical Emergencies During Physical Activity (22 deaths)
- Drowning (19 deaths)
- Medical Emergencies (19 deaths each for non-physical activity and undetermined causes)
- Motor Vehicle Crashes (12 deaths)
Yosemite National Park Safety Tips
Visitors are key in protecting Yosemite’s wildlife, natural resources, and historical sites. To ensure safety and preserve the park’s environment, follow these guidelines:
- Respect Wildlife: Never feed or approach animals, and store food properly to prevent attracting wildlife. Violations can result in fines.
- Camping & Biking: Camp only in designated campgrounds and keep bicycles on paved trails to protect meadows and ecosystems.
- Road Safety: Drive carefully, obey speed limits, and use turnouts to avoid disrupting traffic and wildlife.
- Water Activities: Swim only in safe areas, avoid whitewater, and never swim near waterfalls. Cross rivers carefully and follow rafting regulations.
- Environmental Hazards: Be mindful of rockfalls, hazardous trees, and sudden weather changes like lightning. Awareness of surroundings can prevent injuries.
- Prohibited Activities: BASE jumping, the use of drones, and possessing weapons or marijuana are banned to maintain park safety and natural tranquillity.
National Park (NP) Tourism Statistics
References
- NPS: Facts and Figures – Visitation, Ranking and Mortality Data