Yellowstone National Park saw a 16% increase in October visits with 346,025 recreational visits in 2024, up from 299,127 in 2023.

Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyo. - Yellowstone National Park is seeing more visitors. The park hosted 346,025 recreation visits in October 2024, a 16% increase from October 2023 (299,127 recreational visits). This October's visitation showed a 9% increase from October 2021 (316,662 recreation visits).

Joseph Aita, 62, was sentenced to seven days in jail, five years of probation with a ban from Yellowstone National Park for those five years and a fine of $3,000 after pleading guilty to destroying a mineral resource.

A Colorado man was sentenced to jail and banned from Yellowstone National Park after officials say he walked off a designated trail and entered a protected area.

While the 63 national parks across the U.S. delight visitors with scenery and wildlife not found anywhere else, untapped nature also poses many dangers — particularly for those who wander off the official trails.