Yellowstone is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. 67 different varieties live here, including grizzly and black bears, gray wolves, lynx and seven native ungulate species. During your visit you are likely to see one or two of the animals listed above, but their impact will be dwarfed by the far more commonly encountered Yellowstone mammal—the visitor.

More than 3.5 million people will come to Yellowstone this year, many from other countries. Yellowstone and nearby Grand Teton National Park rank high on lists of most popular destinations for international tourists. Both parks are major employers as well, attracting seasonal workers from around the world. The resulting diversity might rival that of the animal life found here. It is certainly more frequently encountered.

At popular attractions like the Old Faithful Geyser, you might hear a dozen different languages spoken in less than an hour. I made a game of trying to guess where the person snapping shots of the bubbling mud pit next to me might be from. Dressed in our tech wear and hiking boots, we all looked like frumpy REI employees (although Germans, with their high-end gear, might more closely resemble department managers or sales reps).

In the microcosm that is a National Park Campground, however, international visitors are easily identified by their rigs—either rented or imported. Being frequent campers, we’ve seen both species of recreational vehicles elsewhere, but never in the numbers found at Yellowstone. And although I have actually toured a foreign country in a rented camper van myself, I am surprised to encounter so many people doing so here. The notion of flying into LAX or SFO with gear stuffed into checked bags, renting a motorhome and driving to Wyoming seems overwhelming.

According to Candace, it can be. A server at the Grant Village Grill, she meets a huge percentage of the park’s visitors as they perch on a stool at her counter. While discussing this phenomena over breakfast, Candace shared the story of a large-ish family visiting from India. The daughter was translating as they tried to order off the unfamiliar menu. The meal ended with the customer requesting a hug and declaring Candace the nicest person she’d met on her trip (once you experience Candace’s warm hospitality, you’ll bet this happens a lot).

It’s hard not to be awed by the scale of this place. With an area of 3,472 square miles, it is relatively easy to lose yourself in wilderness if that’s what you have in mind. But I wonder if we’re not missing an opportunity to experience something far more rare—people from all over the world and every walk of life enjoying nature together.