Glacier visits up 3.8 percent from 2009

Visitor numbers are up for the first half of the year in Glacier National Park.

Through June, the park has logged a 3.8 percent increase in visitation over the same period last year.

There was a total of 503,010 visitors for the first six months this year, up from 484,458 a year ago. That six-month total this year is the highest for Glacier since 2005

June was a particularly busy month, with 337,120 park visitors, up 2.9 percent from 2009 and the highest June total since 2003.

July and August traditionally are the busiest months for Glacier, which this year is celebrating its centennial.

Other highlights from the visitor statistics released this week:

• The west entrance was by far the busiest access point for visitors, with 256,891 people entering the park at West Glacier through June. That’s a 5.8 percent increase over 2009.

• The St. Mary entrance was the second-busiest, logging 85,363 visitors in six months, up 4.7 percent from a year ago.

• Overnight stays at concession facilities in Glacier are up 12.8 percent over last year, while overnight tent stays have declined 10.2 percent and recreational-vehicle overnight stays are down 7.5 percent.

For people planning to visit Glacier, extensive information is available on everything from hiking the backcountry to ranger-led activities at www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/index.htm. 

A complete calendar of centennial events can be found at www.glaciercentennial.org.