How National Parks Are Combatting Overcrowding - From The Field

Visitations to National Parks are surging as restrictions wane and people seek out safe, socially distanced activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers seeking strategies to mitigate the congestion are pointing to parks like Acadia National Park in Maine, which piloted a ticketed reservation system for its most popular attraction, Cadillac Mountain, after years of rising visitation numbers.
Changes like timed entry systems may be difficult adjustments for some, but the park staff insists these changes will ensure national parks are preserved for enjoyment by generations to come.
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[@asdsdjfasdjxajiosdqw8791]

In Europe if an isolated area gets this popular public transit is introduced. Even in the most inhospitable areas. Rack railways, cable lifts, etc. Nothing is undoable and all of them are superior to just letting people drive their cars right up to the area and ruining it with massive parking lots.

[@misosoppa3279]

Indeed! Funicular railways are the best examples of this. These railways use less energy than most normal trams, but can go up on almost any mountain

[@Praisethesunson]

In America public transit is communism and therefore not allowed to expand

[@sshetty623]

Can you speak in freedom please?

[@jaket2k927]

In EuRoPe! dude shut the fuck up.... First off most of Europe to scale can easily fit in the US as the US is fucking VAST with hundreds of state and national parks. The issue isn't "Da CaRs iN tHe pArKinGs sPoUgHtS" or whatever limey sprechen sie bullshit. The fucking issue is people who spend way too much time which im happy for as yes people are getting out and about. But it doesn't make revenue. However having people hang around for 2-3-5 hours kinda ruins the fun at monuments and historical sites. Additionally it's not as big of a problem as Cheddar made it. Especially when many do additional sales to make up those losses. "BUH IF WE HAVE TROLLEHS AND TRAMS AND BUSSES YOUD HAVE MORE PEOPLE!" And yet less revenue as now you charge per head. If I had my way, tourism would just be fucking banned in places like Yellowstone.

[@misham6547]

Actually there are shuttles now on most national parks

[@luxuryhub1323]

I've been an employee for 4 different National Parks. I always see people treat it like a theme park. They try to touch or feed the animals and climb on things they have no business on. 2 years ago, I was working in Crater Lake and forest fires covered the whole area in smoke. The guest kept asking if we could do something about that because it was ruining their trip. Honestly, I think they've forgotten how little control we have over raw nature.

[@zsam8095]

My husband and I went to Zion (not even peak season) and it was like waiting in line for Disneyworld! So crazy!

[@thehangmansdaughter1120]

We see similar behavior in some tourists in NZ. No, we can't change the temperature of the hot springs so you can put your feet in. And no, we can't make the volcano stop erupting because it's interfering with your ski holiday. I once had a complaint because the wild horses wouldn't let a man touch them. FFS

[@jacob_tung]

I've been a park ranger since 2004 at eleven national parks and national monuments, and I can say that no matter how busy a given NPS unit is, they all have quiet locations and quiet seasons. If you take the time to dig a bit below the surface while researching your destination, you can (relatively) easily avoid the traffic, queues, and crowds.

[@shinnam]

The best way to control "parking" is to have public transportation within the park and not allow cars in the park. Also reduces the pollution caused by vehicles. In the Blueridge parkway there is a tremamout of damage caused by pollution from cars.

[@FirstComments]

but then you end up with more people in the park.. you don't want a crowded park.

[@jonathanm9436]

@@FirstComments I doubt it. The cars will turn up; they just won't be crowding the place.

[@misham6547]

Could work, but also some national parks have stuff for boating and off-roading but that sounds like a really good idea

[@lukemcleavy1902]

What?! I just went there yesterday and I don’t know when this was filmed but they added the busses that go in a loop around the park and they’re quite popular so I’d recommend using them to keep cars low.

[@mohare134]

we visited Zion for the first time this year and the shuttle bus system was fantastic.

[@Yormsane]

Don't fixate on the over-crowded National Parks, your local State Parks, Preserves, Historical Districts, and Monuments, are wonderful places that deserve to be visited.

[@ABoxIsMyHome]

Wow your account is old

[@dwayne7356]

Very true. There are many beautiful state parks. But there are some places that are must visited like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to name just two. Mammoth Cave is so different than Carlsbad Caverns or Wind Cave. The really problem is that the population of the US is growing and are parks are limited. I hate the buses but I believe that will be the future. Even if only 1% of the population visits national parks, that number will continue to grow as the population grows.

[@zsam8095]

My husband and I went to Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion as part of our honeymoon. Zion was for sure the busiest and we went on a cold Thursday. We had to park in the town and take a shuttle, but parking in the town was very difficult to find. It was like waiting in line for Disneyworld! I never thought a National Park would be like that.

[@michaelfreeman222]

Your one of those people that spells your name and corrects everyone and makes sure everyone knows your name has wacky spelling I'm sorry your parents hate you I genuinely am

[@michaelfreeman222]

My name "derezk" so i get it

[@abiku2923]

That's where I'm taking my wife for our honeymoon this October. Any advice?

[@thevinceberry]

@@abiku2923 Don't go? just go to Vegas lol

[@rickson50]

Going to 10 national parks starting this Saturday August 20th. I've been seeing the permit system. Even specific hikes have permit systems like angel's landing

[@Pwn3dbyth3n00b]

I feel like this reservation system ruins the spontaneous and adventure part of nature but it does have to be done to combat the crowding.

[@danielsavitz5774]

I was at Acadia in late May & didn't have to reserve, although that may be because I rented one of the electric GEM vehicles downtown instead of entering in a regular car. Either way, it's a beautiful park & I love the steps they are taking to preserve it!

[@chengliu872]

This reminds me of trying to camp anywhere near the SF Bay area except for the north bay. Unless you want to camp during the middle of the week or reserve something 6 months early, you will never find a spot.

[@dwayne7356]

I have visited over 100 national parks. In order to plan a trip across the country, you need a little assurance that you'll get in the park. Zion NP had buses when I was there six years ago. Arches NP just didn't let you in and once inside there was very limited parking areas, just like the top of Cadillac Mountain. Buses might be the future because you can pave parking lots outside of the park and not inside the park. I don't like it, but it better than getting their and hoping you can get a time slot to get in the park. It will only get worse as the population of the United States continues to grow and more people want to visit our national park treasures.

[@ClipsNSnips]

Agree 100% Extended roadtrips need to be flexible. Planning every detail is not only difficult for a long trip, but against the spirit of an American roadtrip... Zion even makes you get reservations for the buses

[@rickson50]

Oh, dang. What countries?

[@robertsitch1415]

Ontario's provincial parks system has had to do simular measures as there's only so many public parks in close proximity to the major urban centres in Southern Ontario.

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

the reduction of open spaces will lead these places to ruin Why is space so hard to find in such a large nation? Most of the nation is open space… it’s just not public.

[@thevinceberry]

Rich people buying up open lands for private ranch or we need land to mine resources.

[@seadragon1456]

Our land is mostly farm land. The rich buy 1,000 of acres so they have space to enjoy peace and quiet. People that live in the city often don’t have outdoor space other than the neighborhood park. People don’t have connections to roam on private land and enjoy the outdoors. Private land owners are stingy and don’t want to share the earth with most people. Tht leaves our national/state parks up for grabs. We will visit them until they are ruined or completely bordered off to keep us away.

[@djp1234]

To get away from tourists, you have to go somewhere far off-grid. Some place that's hard to get to.

[@Praisethesunson]

So go where no one wants to go?

[@user-hj8yf3hr4i]

I just go to state parks, or even my local metro parks. You still get to be in nature, but the crowds are much smaller

[@djp1234]

@@Praisethesunson there are some amazing places that don’t have paved roads going there. And I hope it stays that way.

[@michaelfreeman222]

We gonna see more of chole ?

[@plantdaddy7738]

not me wanting to go to bar harbor and acadia like bruh. this felt personally attacking

[@TheLastTitan007]

Amelie kavanenant-wink says it hard to take all the rules with passes and reservations. Yet she also calls it beautiful. This is a great idea so the park doesn't get destroyed. Look at places around the world. Once beautiful have no been destroyed by tourists.

[@prabhushankar8520]

GOOD

[@nunya___]

Kinda suks if you want to visit more than one park on your vacation. You'd never get a pass for the same day/week.

[@nicolek4076]

It would be farer to open applications some weeks before, for entry into a lottery for tickets. This does not disadvantage those who cannot connect to the web site at the moment reservations open.

[@nicolek4076]

@@-XtraCredit- That is a specious argument. I could point you to the references, but KZbin would delete any comment that contains an off-site URL.

[@cheegum6296]

Social media is what has been driving this traffic. Every major business in the world today, for profit or otherwise, needs a social media strategy.

[@misosoppa3279]

A car centric society is what had been driving all that traffic... Most countries don't require you to take a car to see nature

[@Praisethesunson]

I love all the anti car comments on this video. A very welcomed surprise to be sure.

[@bluettr250]

Anyone can ride their bike to the top of the hill.

[@alexrossouw7702]

Just relase some angry bears and the overcrowding problem will quickly sort itself out.

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

"Combatting"? Didn't know we were in Europe.

[@mats7492]

Amazing, how cars are the problem here.. so American

[@tankunext81]

I think it's a good thing. If you can't plan a few days in advance to do something like this, then that is your problem. It certainly beats having to walk through crowds in the forrest.

[@MS-37]

The Grand Canyon does it right. With parking and the shuttles that take you to different areas. Yosemite on the other hand is a complete mess… They really should do some sort of buy in advance. I know it would require construction on a national park, but honestly they should redesign how people get around Yosemite.

[@hyperjanny1510]

first

[@asdsdjfasdjxajiosdqw8791]

As a European the idea of taking a car to go see nature is mental. Why not just take the train to the edge of the area and then hike? What's the point of driving there? You might as well see it in a youtube video at home.

[@RockiestRock]

Most people are too lazy to hike. They want to be able to drive their car right to the most beautiful natural spots possible and still have all the comforts of home.

[@misosoppa3279]

@@coolman-1, you're saying that thousands and thousands of cars have less environmental damage than one train stop?

[@coolman-1]

@@misosoppa3279 Ok my comment was kind of stupid(American mindset right there)

[@RockiestRock]

@@coolman-1 Try hiking through some BLM land or even less popular trails where you live. It's amazing how the slightest inconveniences, such as a .25 mile walk, will stop most people. A pretty popular state park near me even installed a bunch of concrete paths on the short/easy trail right by the main parking lot! Concrete in the middle of the woods!

[@disciprine]

Lol this guy in Europe doesn't get how large the US is

[@disciprine]

For those whining about the reservations. Learn to plan better. You're like spoiled children who want everything your way no matter what. We live in a society. Deal with it

[@Praisethesunson]

But I don't want to account for the wants/needs of others!!! -Muricans

[@dinobot678]

Of course it's the old white lady. American exceptionalism and individualism in full view.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

Why knock her age, race, and gender, @@dinobot678 ?

[@Diaming787]

Test

[@bluettr250]

The solution is to simply charge more by time of day for popular Spots. Cap the entry fees at $1000

[@misosoppa3279]

Or just make it possible to get there without your car...

[@Praisethesunson]

@@misosoppa3279 but that would be communism

[@shinnam]

Then only the wealthy get to see the park at prime time. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION is the answer, and yes I am shouting. I have lived in four countries, traveled to about 30. Getting to US national parks is almost as difficult as going to a park in Nepal. Heck even in Nepal there is a bus two or three times a day at the main entrance to most parks.

[@bluettr250]

@@Praisethesunson only the wealthy are polite

[@Praisethesunson]

@@bluettr250 Nothing says polite like stealing the wealth created by the labor of hundreds of other people every single day.

[@ClipsNSnips]

I really dislike needing reservations to visit national parks... It is killing the American roadtrip... My wife and I did a roadtrip last year to visit several parks. Knowing exactly where we would be and when we would be there was quite difficult, and so against the spirit of an unencumbered roadtrip... We had to skip most parks that required reservations, which was super frustrating

[@misosoppa3279]

Well, if everyone didn't need a car to get there, reservations wouldn't be necessary... It's the amount of cars that is the problem here, not the amount of people

[@disciprine]

Learn to plan better

[@Praisethesunson]

Lol. No one cares about your inability to account for the existence of other people.

[@ClipsNSnips]

@@disciprine The American roadtrip is about freely traveling the country... If you like a place, stay a little longer. If a place stinks, then keep going... We travelled for a month and a half to almost 30 national parks. Try planning out every minute of a trip like that. Besides being difficult, it sucks the joy out of your trip.

[@abiku2923]

@@ClipsNSnips I'm 100% behind you. Even if they do all these trams and trains...that's fine buy fuck reservations

[@rightwoke]

When visiting nature requires registration and passes your country has a problem.

[@misosoppa3279]

Or a car

[@Praisethesunson]

The problem is capitalism

[@RockiestRock]

This is why I just hike into the parks and ignore their stupid rules.

[@Praisethesunson]

That's a great way to die

[@disciprine]

Oh look everyone. We have an internet badass here

[@Praisethesunson]

@@disciprine He doesn't need some government rules to prevent him from doing cool stuff like walking off the trail or feeding the bears. He'll do what he wants cause that's his freedumb™.

[@abiku2923]

Don't advertise it to the people willing to do it just to piss off the fascists

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

So edgy.

[@maemilev]

Her face would be a nightmare when she reached 40.

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

Wut