Workers at Yellowstone say guests visiting the park have been paying more attention to their money this year in the face of economic uncertainty. Ian Lee reports.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is experiencing record visitor numbers, with over five million people expected this year. Despite the surge in attendance, many families are being more cautious with their spending, opting for budget-friendly options such as group accommodations and limiting purchases of souvenirs.

Economic uncertainty is cited as a key reason for this shift in spending habits. Local businesses are responding by increasing their marketing efforts and adapting to the changing preferences of visitors. Many guests are choosing to focus on enjoying the park's natural attractions rather than spending on extras.

Families watching their wallets at national parks

A vacation to America's national parks is a treasured summer pastime for many. Visitors set new records in 2024, but funding cuts and financial pressures are having an impact on the parks and the public. Here's CBS's Ian Lee at Yellowstone, the nation's first national park. Yellowstone National Park's colorful hot pools, shooting geysers, and abundant wildlife draw millions of tourists every year. The superintendent is expecting a record year of over five million visitors this year. Todd Walton works for Zanterra. The company operates all of Yellowstone's campgrounds, cabins, and iconic lodges, like Old Faithful Inn. When you walk up, you don't expect to see what's inside, and then you're greeted with, you know, this. The slow reveal. Yeah, the slow reveal. Wow. You can see the crow's nest up there. It's spectacular. While Yellowstone is not short of wonders, both natural and man-made, Walton noticed this year guests are a bit more tight-fisted when it comes to splurging on the park's creature comforts. There's different ways for people to sort of watch their budget. People aren't spending money for the grandkids to get a T-shirt or a couple of extra items. What do you think is causing people to dial back their spending? It's the economic uncertainty. You wanna do a picture really quick? That economic uncertainty isn't stopping Jeff Stebbins' family from visiting, but they're also not breaking the bank. We're doing an Airbnb, right, and staying 12 miles away from the park entrance. Like, you just gotta be creative. We got a group of 16 of us. A lot of families are staying together as big groups instead of individuals in the hotels, things of that nature. One, two, three. Yellowstone. Amy Beagle has guided visitors around Yellowstone for more than 30 years. Yeah, you're welcome. There are people coming here, but they're very cautious on what they're spending and how they're spending it. The locals are feeling the pinch. They're feeling like they actually have to learn how to sales and market and reach out social media and bring that business into them. Visitors preferring to spend time over money, enjoying the beauty of America's first national park. Ian Lee, CBS News in Yellowstone National Park.

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Breakdown