Examining winter visitor use in Yellowstone National Park

This research was designed to assist the managers of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) in their decision making about winter visitation. The focus of this report is on winter use patterns and winter visitor preferences. It is the author’s hope that this information will benefit both the quality of winter experiences and the stewardship of the park resources. This report addresses three fundamental questions: 1) Who are the visitors to YNP and why did they visit? 2) What are the characteristics of the winter visit and how do visitors travel within the park 3) What are the visitor evaluations of current social conditions? 4) Are potential management actions consistent with desired experiences?