GTNP Statistics Faulty

Statistics from Grand Teton National Park for the month of January show a marked decline in visitation, both for recreational and non-recreational activities.  According to the National Park Service Public Use Statistics Office, January 2012 posted an 11.8% decline in the number of people entering the park for recreational purposes, and an 11.3% drop in the number of those in the park overall.  However, before you put much stock into the comparisons, park officials point out that new counters were installed late last year and still need calibration, and the counter at the Moose Entrance Station failed forcing the park to estimate numbers from a three year average.  Officials say it will be about a year before reliable comparisons can again be made, and they add corresponding revenues remain about even with the previous year.