Eclipse Visitation Exceeds Expectations
Written by Andrew-Rossi on August 23, 2017
Estimations that the population of Wyoming would double during the eclipse turned out to be on the low side.
The amount of traffic during Monday’s eclipse suggests Wyoming, the least populated state in the country, temporarily more than doubled its population of 585,000 – as predicted. The Wyoming Department of Transportation counted 536,000 more vehicles than usual on Wyoming’s roads and highways on Monday – that’s a 68 percent increase. Traffic increased the most in the central, western and southern parts of the state.
Grand Teton National Park Spokeswoman Denise Germann said the park would have visitor numbers available sometime today. Grand Teton was expected to experience the busiest day in history for Monday’s eclipse.
A day and a half after the solar eclipse ended, traffic was still backed up in Yellowstone National Park as of yesterday evening. The Park’s public affairs office sent out a release yesterday just after 5 p.m. saying that 5 park employees were managing traffic at Madison Junction, and additional staff were headed to congested areas to assist with traffic. Officials predicted that congestion would continue until 11 p.m. last night.
