Photo courtesy of the National Forestry Service
More people have visited Yellowstone National Park in 2015 than in any other year, and it's only October.
Reuters reported the popular Wyoming destination welcomed 3.8 million visitors through the first nine months of 2015, a figure that shatters the previous record of 3.6 million visitors in 2010 and represents a 16 percent increase over the same period last year.
More than 680,000 visitors passed through Yellowstone last month, a 19 percent increase over September 2014.
At the current rate, the park is on pace to surpass four million visitors by the end of the year.
Yellowstone spokeswoman Julena Campbell told Reuters that because of the increased visitor numbers and higher entrance fees, the park could end up taking in an additional $4.5 million in 2015.
However the downside of the park's booming figures to this point has been congestion.
Campbell said it's easy to notice the increased volume of visitors by "just moving around the park." She also told Reuters that the park's superintendent Dan Wenk will meet with nearby communities in the upcoming months to brainstorm ways to relieve some of the congestion often experienced in parts of the park during peak summer season.
This past summer, parking lots outside of popular attractions at Yellowstone were full by mid-day in most instances, per Reuters.
Boasting a whopping 2.2 million acres of natural wonders, trails and wildlife, Yellowstone has a lot to offer travelers.
But the park's record September can be attributed to ongoing marketing efforts.
Wyoming's Cody Enterprise reported the 37 percent increase in September visitors at Yellowstone since 2010 is "thanks in part to efforts by the National Park Service, state tourism boards and local industry leaders (promoting) September and October as a 'shoulder season' when visitors can book at lower rates, enjoy decent weather and watch wildlife and fall colors without the summer crowds."
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