As nature lovers poured through downtown Cody Friday, May 1 on their way to the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park, hundreds got their feed bag on free of charge, courtesy of the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce.

For the past dozen years the board of directors and celebrity guests have dished up a filling pancake breakfast to help celebrate the spring park entrance opening. The smell of bacon wafted through the air as piping hot pancakes were fried on dual griddles and the sweet tasting syrup mingling with fresh fruit put smiles on visitors' faces.

The early morning celebratory meal in the gateway city is just one program to help lure more visitors through the East Entrance. More is better in a municipality and county that counts on tourism to help keep the lights on. Yet, once again, there are forces working against the 5 million visitor mark in the local tourism model.

Gas prices have quickly increased since the start of the Iran war, going from around $2.79 to $4.49 locally, seemingly overnight. Israel and the U.S. fired their opening salvo in Iran on Feb. 28, instantly sending the price of fuel higher. A month earlier lucky travelers in Casper were able to find gas for $1.93 a gallon. The question is, how will rising gas prices and inflation affect the summer visitation season?

"If you've been planning for a trip of a lifetime for a couple years, the cost of fuel is not going to change plans," said Executive Director of Cody Country Chamber of Commerce Jennifer Thoma. "We're still looking forward to having a big number of people this year."

International visitors will likely travel despite the increases, maybe making up for the increased price by skipping expensive meals or cutting back on their budget for souvenirs. Last year visitors from 52 countries traveled through Cody en route to the park.

She said rising fuel prices might even help as the cost of jet fuel is pushing up the price of flying, possibly encouraging more folks to plan staycations. Folks from all 50 states signed the guest book at the Visitor's Center last year and Thoma doesn't think gas prices are going to change the growing visitation trend.

"The hotels are telling me that reservations are up for this summer and some of the different attractions have reservations higher than they expected," Thoma said. "Those are some good indicators that it's going to be a really good year."

But, there are still issues that have visitation experts worried; like the possibility of large wildland fires. Thoma said hopefully we don't have a bad fire season, and that it doesn't "scare people away," she said.

Park officials have been predicting breaking the 5 million visits mark since 4.8 million visits were recorded in 2021. Last year was the second highest number of visits on record with 4,762,988 recreation visits. This was despite a 43-day partial government shutdown — the longest ever. The National Park Service worked to keep parks open and accessible whenever possible so visitors could continue to experience the nation’s natural and historic treasures. However, there have been many major issues in the past six seasons, including a global pandemic, a tragic flood and government shutdowns, all stifling visitation in one way or another during the 2020s.

About 10% of all visitation in the park occurs in the month of May. And those arriving Friday found clear roads, fluffy clouds, blue skies and a light cool breeze. The near-perfect weather must have put the park's charismatic critters in a good mood as well.

Grizzly bears were numerous on the landscape, seemingly happy to ignore wildlife watchers while they searched for grubs and worms under fallen and rotting trees. Greater sandhill cranes were content mixing with bison, both species foraging the same meadows and drainages without complaint. And the first bison calves, known as red dogs, were learning to run as they bucked in joy during the warm, sunny afternoon.

One change this year is increasing the cost of entry for foreign visitors. As of Jan. 1, foreign visitors (non-U.S. residents age 16-plus) face significant fee increases at the 11 most popular U.S. National Parks, including a new $100 per-person surcharge, alongside a $250 annual pass (up from $80). These changes are an aim to boost revenue, said Superintendent Cam Sholly.

"It's going to be really good from a revenue standpoint," he said after the changes were made. "We'll be able to take a lot of that revenue and put it into our operations."

Back at the Visitor's Center, those stopping by for information and fun will find a completely remodeled facility, Thoma said on her three-year anniversary with the chamber. She was hired on Parks and Pancakes Day in 2023.

"We have new space, new map tables, and new ways for visitors to explore," she said.