Packed in the Park

Zion National Park in Utah is known for its towering cliffs. From the bottom of Zion Canyon, rocks rise 610 meters (2,000 feet) above your head. A river winds through the canyon, surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees. 

With such jaw-dropping scenery, it’s no surprise that Zion and America’s other national parks attract people from around the world. In 2015, a record 305 million people visited national parks. That’s more than attended Disney parks and pro football, baseball, and basketball games combined! 

Zion National Park is in Utah. It’s known for its towering cliffs. A river winds through Zion Canyon. Its banks are covered in beautiful flowers and trees. Rocks rise 610 meters (2,000 feet) on either side. 

America’s other national parks have similar amazing views. It’s no surprise that they draw people from around the world. A record 305 million people visited national parks in 2015. That’s more than attended Disney parks and pro football, baseball, and basketball games combined! 

But huge crowds can strain popular parks like Zion, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Masses of people can erode land, disturb wildlife, and more. 

That’s why park officials are exploring new ways to protect these natural wonders. Some people think parks should raise their entry fees or limit the number of visitors each day. But others worry that these changes would keep people from enjoying the parks. 

Officials face a tricky problem. “We want people to see the parks. They’re here for us to enjoy,” says Zion spokesperson John Marciano. “But we also want the parks protected for future generations.”

Zion is one of the nation’s most popular parks. So is the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Another favorite is Yellowstone National Park. It’s located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. But huge crowds can strain these parks. Large numbers of people can erode land. They can disturb wildlife and more. 

That’s why park officials are looking for new ways to save these natural wonders. Some people think parks should have higher entry fees. Some think parks should limit the number of daily visitors. But other people disagree. They think these changes would keep people from enjoying the parks. 

Officials face a tricky problem. “We want people to see the parks. They’re here for us to enjoy,” says John Marciano. He’s a Zion spokesperson. “But we also want the parks protected for future generations.”

Yellowstone became the first national park in 1872. Today, there are 59 national parks in 27 states across the country. The government preserves each one for the public to visit. 

But huge crowds can make that difficult. In 2016, more than 4.2 million people visited Zion. On busy days, up to 17,000 tourists can be in the park, says Marciano.

Yellowstone became the first national park in 1872. There are 59 national parks today. They’re found in 27 states across the country. The government protects each one for the public to visit. 

But huge crowds can make that hard. More than 4.2 million people visited Zion in 2016. Up to 17,000 tourists can be in the park on busy days, says Marciano.

To help maintain the park, Zion charges an entrance fee of $15 per person. Bringing a car costs $30. To keep too many cars from polluting the canyon, shuttle buses carry people throughout the park. 

But at busy times, people may have to wait more than an hour to get on a bus. If the shuttle is packed, it’s hard to enjoy the view. Hiking trails are crowded too. “That’s not the wilderness experience you expect,” says Marciano. “People get frustrated.” 

Zion charges an entrance fee of $15 per person. That helps maintain the park. Bringing a car costs $30. Shuttle buses carry people throughout the park. That helps keep too many cars from polluting the canyon. 

But people may have to wait more than an hour to get on a bus at busy times. It’s hard to enjoy the view if the bus is packed. Hiking trails are crowded too. “That’s not the wilderness experience you expect,” says Marciano. “People get frustrated.” 

National parks are home to many wild animals, such as bison and grizzly bears. Big crowds can create dangerous situations for those animals. That’s a problem at Yellowstone, says spokesperson Jody Lyle.

If there’s an animal near the road, “people slam on their brakes and run out to take pictures,” says Lyle. That can stress out animals. Bison may feel threatened and charge at people. 

Crowds can also harm the environment that animals and plants depend on. When trails are crowded, people are more likely to wander off the path and trample vegetation. They can damage fragile ecosystems like meadows and riverbanks. Trash that people drop can pollute trails and streams. “It changes the natural beauty of the park,” says Marciano.

National parks are home to many wild animals. Bison and grizzly bears are two examples. Big crowds can create trouble for those animals. That’s a problem at Yellowstone, says spokesperson Jody Lyle.

“People slam on their brakes and run out to take pictures” if there’s an animal near the road, says Lyle. That can stress out animals. Bison may feel threatened and charge at people. 

Crowds can also harm the environment. People are more likely to wander off the path when trails are crowded. They can trample plants. That can harm ecosystems like meadows and riverbanks. 

People also drop trash. It can pollute trails and streams. “It changes the natural beauty of the park,” says Marciano.

Park officials are considering many strategies to handle crowds. More parks may start using shuttles to avoid traffic jams. Others may require reservations to visit popular spots. Some parks could also raise entrance fees. But that would mean fewer people could afford to visit. 

Tourists can help keep parks healthy by following some simple rules: Never wander off trails. Stay a safe distance away from all animals. Stopping the car to take pictures is OK, says Lyle, but drivers should pull completely off the road first.

Park officials are working on many ways to handle crowds. More parks may start using shuttles. That could reduce traffic jams. Other parks may have people make reservations to visit popular spots. Some parks could also raise entrance fees. But that would mean fewer people could afford to visit. 

Tourists can help keep parks healthy. They just need to follow some simple rules. First, never wander off trails. Stay a safe distance from all animals. Stopping the car to take pictures is OK, says Lyle. But drivers should pull all the way off the road first.

You can plan a great visit to a national park by avoiding the most crowded times, adds Lyle. Summer is typically busier than fall, winter, or spring. Crowds are biggest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., so getting to the park early or staying late helps too.

Another idea: Visit a less popular park. Instead of waiting at Zion, why not see Great Basin, a park with dramatic landforms in nearby Nevada?

Officials hope to talk with visitors to find good solutions to the crowds. “We want people’s input so we can create the best experience possible,” says Lyle.

You can plan a great visit to a national park by avoiding the most crowded times, adds Lyle. Summer is usually busier than fall, winter, or spring. Crowds are biggest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. So getting to the park early or staying late helps too.

Another idea is to visit a less popular park. Instead of waiting at Zion, why not see Great Basin? This park in nearby Nevada has stunning landforms.

Officials hope to talk with visitors to find good solutions to the crowds. “We want people’s input so we can create the best experience possible,” says Lyle.