Yosemite Visitor Numbers Fell In 2018 Due To Ferguson Fire
Yosemite, CA — Attendance figures in Yosemite National Park were relatively strong throughout 2018, but there was a notable drop in July and August around the time of the Ferguson Fire.
Clarke Broadcasting requested the figures from Yosemite officials, and they note that 4,161,087 visitors came through the gates in 2018, which is down from 4.4 million in 2017. The 2017 and 2018 figures were nearly identical through the first six months of year, with 1.7 million visitors. However, July and August of 2018 saw 307,554 fewer visitors than 2017. The Ferguson Fire ignited on July 13 and it caused the closure of Yosemite Valley on July 25, continuing until August 3. Full fire containment came weeks later on August 19.
While the 2018 Yosemite figures were down, they are still the fifth highest on record for the park. It was a rarity to see attendance top 4-million between the 1980’s and early 2000’s. For example, in 1985 the attendance was 2.9 million, in 1995 it peaked up to 4.1 million, but by 2005 it was down to 3.3 million.
The highest on record was 2016 when 5.2 million people visited the park.
The historical Yosemite attendance figures are detailed below.
