As the Going-to-the-Sun Road sat closed through June, visitation stalled at Glacier National Park, according to the latest data from the National Park Service.
There were an estimated 34,074 visitors to Glacier Park last month, a 2.8 percent drop over the same time last year. For the six-month period between January and June, Glacier has attracted a total of 510,495 visitors, roughly the same as last year.
The slight dip in June visitation is to be expected, considering the park’s main thoroughfare, the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road, did not open until the evening of July 2, nearly two weeks later than originally planned.
There were 140,267 visitors who entered the park last month through the West Entrance, more than 4,000 fewer than a year ago. The Izaak Walton/Goat Lick area drew 22,765, nearly 5,000 more than last year. Saint Mary’s saw 55,482 visitors, 20,000 fewer than a year ago.
During a month that saw harsh weather and winter conditions, lodging and camping numbers were down, too. There were 3,000 fewer tent campers, 2,000 fewer RV/motorhome campers and nearly 1,500 fewer backcountry permits issued in June.