National Wildlife Refuges Offer an Alternative to Crowded National Parks

[UngulateNerd92]

It’s August, a time for family vacations before school starts. Americans are flocking to national parks in record numbers, in many cases leading to long lines and overcrowding. Compared to figures from last year, the number of people visiting America’s national parks has increased drastically, with many parks seeing a percent increase in the double digits. Even in a typical year, visiting the country’s top parks often involves traffic jams and packed lookouts, especially in the summer months. Add in the realities of COVID-19, and not surprisingly, national parks are more strained than ever. Fortunately, there are great public lands alternatives.

National parks have a lot to offer. But it isn’t easy to enjoy nature in a national park when you have to wait hours for a parking spot. Plus, the phenomenon of overcrowding is quite damaging to the national parks, with high visitation contributing to habitat degradation as guests litter, walk on undesignated trails, park on pedestrian roadways or even camp on conservation areas. While the parks might be able to mitigate the damage with enough staff, chronic underfunding means that most national parks simply lack the workforce necessary to keep up.

National Wildlife Refuges Offer an Alternative to Crowded National Parks

 

[UngulateNerd92]

Here is another relevant article.

‘It’s not sustainable’: overcrowding is changing the soul of US national parks

On a two-lane road leading to Acadia national park’s picturesque Bass Harbor head lighthouse, traffic has come to a standstill. A row of cars wait to enter the parking lot, with one local turning around altogether to try again on a less crowded day.

Visitors have flooded national parks this summer as Covid-19 regulations eased throughout the US. The National Park Service reported that half of recreation visits are occurring within just 5% of all parks, with significant congestion concentrated in the most popular 12 to 15 high-profile destinations.

Park officials are encouraging visitors to “plan like a ranger” and avoid crowds, although some locals are hesitant about regulating access to public lands. The Guardian spoke to five people who live near national parks to gather their experiences as visitation reaches record-breaking numbers.

https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.amp...ep/10/overcrowding-changing-us-national-parks

 

[UngulateNerd92]

Here is another relevant article.

‘It’s not sustainable’: overcrowding is changing the soul of US national parks

On a two-lane road leading to Acadia national park’s picturesque Bass Harbor head lighthouse, traffic has come to a standstill. A row of cars wait to enter the parking lot, with one local turning around altogether to try again on a less crowded day.

Visitors have flooded national parks this summer as Covid-19 regulations eased throughout the US. The National Park Service reported that half of recreation visits are occurring within just 5% of all parks, with significant congestion concentrated in the most popular 12 to 15 high-profile destinations.

Park officials are encouraging visitors to “plan like a ranger” and avoid crowds, although some locals are hesitant about regulating access to public lands. The Guardian spoke to five people who live near national parks to gather their experiences as visitation reaches record-breaking numbers.

https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.amp...ep/10/overcrowding-changing-us-national-parks

I shared this particular article with a friend of mine, and he had this to say;

"Too darn many people is the bottom line. When will society get it?"

I totally agree with him! I have said this on here before, but I do believe that over-population is an issue and needs to be properly addressed.

 

[Jurek7]

From what I remember, American and Canadian national parks often restrict people to a handful of lookouts and car parks, which, unsurprisingly, became overcrowded. These car parks and lookouts are often very comfortable, but comfort is not the point of a national park.

During my visit to Sequoia National Park, I found something of a marvel of bad planning to charge 30 dollars for entry plus make a 1635 km2 park overcrowded outside the main season.

 

[UngulateNerd92]

From what I remember, American and Canadian national parks often restrict people to a handful of lookouts and car parks, which, unsurprisingly, became overcrowded. These car parks and lookouts are often very comfortable, but comfort is not the point of a national park.

During my visit to Sequoia National Park, I found something of a marvel of bad planning to charge 30 dollars for entry plus make a 1635 km2 park overcrowded outside the main season.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. When did you visit Sequoia National Park? My last visit to both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks was in 2008.