Grand Teton welcomes record 4.6 million visitors in 2015

Grand Teton National Park welcomed a record number of visitors last year.

Park officials tallied 4.6 million visits in 2015, an 8.2 percent increase from the previous record of 4.3 million visits set in 2014. The biggest increases came in September and October, when visitation went up 18 percent and 12 percent, respectively, from the previous year.

The increased visitation had a significant effect on park resources, staff and facilities.

For example, park rangers, paramedics and other first responders were involved in 10 percent more calls for assistance compared to 2014.

Park managers say they expect visitation to increase again this year because of the National Park Service centennial. They are working on ways of improving visitor facilities, including the expansion of interpretive services for diverse audiences.