Yosemite Park Visitors Decline

Visitation to Yosemite National Park has dropped slightly since 2000.

Park officials say less international tourism, a hike in the price of park admission fees and more expensive gas are some of the reasons that the number of visitors to the natural wonderland have decreased.

Ranger Vicki Mates says there are still plenty of visitors to the valley, just not quite as many as there were a few years ago. Mates says 3.4 million people visited the park last year. Approximately 3.5 million people visited Yosemite in 2000, before 9-11.

While it cost $20 for admission to Yosemite, visitors also have the option of purchasing a National Park Pass for $50. The pass allows entrance into almost any National Park or National Monument in the country for one year from the date of purchase. Passes can be purchased at the Park´s entrance.