YELLOWSTONE — MTN News has obtained a sneak peek at parts of a "yet to be released" study of visitor behavior and opinions in Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly sat down with MTN to discuss the future of the park for this Sunday’s Face the State program.
Some of the data collected in the year-long survey shows that nearly 70 percent of Yellowstone visitors are in the park for the first time ever.
Most of those who go to Yellowstone, about 60 percent, are in a group of two people. 14 percent are in a group of three.
But 70 percent said that there were no children under the age of 18 visiting the park with them.
Sholly says gathering this data will help make the park visits more enjoyable.
"We've got all kinds of studies that show when the parking lots fill up. And so, to say, ‘Hey don't go to Norris between 10 and 2:30, try to go before 10 or after 2:30,’ you know, basic things that we can help people to diffuse some of that visitation,” Sholly said. “Some of these busy times of the day, times of the week, is really important."
Sholly also revealed some surprising details about whether visitors to the park think it is too crowded and busy for them to fully enjoy their visit.
You can see the full 30-minute conversation with Sholly this Sunday morning on Face the State on KPAX.
