Yellowstone Brings in Big Bucks

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — A new report shows that visitors to Yellowstone National Park spent nearly half a billion dollars in communities around the park in 2015.

The National Park Service's report says that last year's visitors spent more than $493 million in local communities through direct spending and labor income, the highest total recorded in four years.

The money was spent in several local communities, including towns west of West Yellowstone and Gardiner.

According to the report, the largest portion of visitor money went to hotels near Yellowstone for a total of $160 million. Restaurants received about $80 million in visitor spending.

Officials are expecting more visitors this year as the National Park Service celebrates its 100th anniversary.