Lodging tax receipts are up 3% for the year in Park County, and that increase has been reflected in a busy year at Yellowstone National Park and around the region. 

That extra funding is also a boost for the Park County Travel Council, CEO Michael Wambolt said at the council’s monthly meeting last week. 

“With all that's happening in the world with different things, the lodging tax has stayed strong and relatively flat since last year,” he said. “So that helps us give us support going into looking at our opportunities for next year as well. So overall, the health of budget is looking good. So our work can continue and be strong for everyone.”

And where many Cody business tend to see a late August, September slump once kids go back to school — a slump that used to be better filled by international travelers — Yellowstone remains packed, Xanterra’s General Manager Mike Keller said. 

“We're still slammed with visitation in the park, and it's crazy,” he said. 

The state takes 3% of the total 7% lodging tax collected and returns the rest to the counties that earned it. The tax — 5% of which is mandated and 2% approved by voters every four years — is also the main means for funding the travel council budget each year. 

Voters last approved adding the optional 2% lodging tax in 2024.