

Yosemite National Park

Sierra Sun Times file photo











Source: NPS



September 25, 2017 – After last year'sto Yosemite National Park, July 2017 stats has the number of recreation visitors down by 18.9% year over year.The Arch Rock Entrance Station (Mariposa -Highway 140) had a slight decrease of visitors by auto of 2.5% compared to July 2016. Year to date numbers show an increase of visitors by auto of 18.0%.The Big Oak Flat Entrance Station (Groveland - Highway 120) had a decrease of visitors by auto of 28.2% compared to July 2016. Year to date numbers show a decrease of visitors by auto of 27.2%.The South Entrance (Oakhurst - Highway 41) had a decrease of visitors by auto of 13.5% compared to July 2016. Year to date numbers show a decrease of visitors by auto of 13.1%.The East Entrance (Tioga Pass) had a decrease of visitors by auto of 26.0% compared to July 2016. Year to date numbers show a decrease of visitors by auto of 61.4%.The Tioga Pass entrance was greatly affected this year with the late opening of the pass due to heavy winter snows. June of 2016 had 181,439 visitors by auto while this year with the pass closed until June 29th only 6,105 visitors by auto were counted. This is a 96.6% decrease.The total recreation visitors to Yosemite National Park for July 2017 was down by 18.9% compared to July 2016. Year to date numbers show a decrease of recreation visitors of 18.0%. Possible reasons for the decrease in visitors this year were the large number of fires that were burning in the area of the entrances, some entrances being closed for awhile due to rock slides, collapsing of roads and the late opening of Tioga Pass due to heavy winter snows.