National Geographic list of the 10 least visited national parks.

[sandsys]

2 hours ago, bruce t said:

What's the solution?

Creative advertising. Youth smoking was reduced when billboards were put up everywhere saying, "Kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray."

Linda

[2gypsies]

One way that Zion did it was the requirement to use the shuttle service during peak season.  Also, now  in many of the parks you  entrance lotteries so hoards of people aren't allowed at one time.  It requires more planning for the tourists.  It's a difficult situation and the problem isn't new.  The national parks are supposed to be for "all people to enjoy".  Where do you draw the line?  Another issue is that the parks don't receive enough money to do even basic repairs in many cases.  The major parks are like small cities and along with it are crowds and crime.

https://www.5280.com/8-ways-to-ease-overcrowding-at-our-national-parks/

https://www.doi.gov/ocl/national-parks-overcrowding

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2022/12/house-committee-hears-differing-opinions-how-solve-park-crowding

Edited May 3, 2023 by 2gypsies

[2gypsies]

6 minutes ago, 2gypsies said:

One way that Zion did it was the requirement to use the shuttle service during peak season.  Also, now  in many of the parks there are entrance lotteries so hoards of people aren't allowed at one time.  It requires more planning for the tourists.  It's a difficult situation and the problem isn't new.  The national parks are supposed to be for "all people to enjoy".  Where do you draw the line?  Another issue is that the parks don't receive enough money to do even basic repairs in many cases.  The major parks are like small cities and along with it are crowds and crime.

https://www.5280.com/8-ways-to-ease-overcrowding-at-our-national-parks/

https://www.doi.gov/ocl/national-parks-overcrowding

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2022/12/house-committee-hears-differing-opinions-how-solve-park-crowding

 

[Kirk W]

7 hours ago, 2gypsies said:

Another issue is that the parks don't receive enough money to do even basic repairs in many cases. 

A major part of the budget problem stems from the practice of Congress adding more land to the various properties that are operated by the Park Service, without providing funding to do what is needed, thus forcing them to take money from parks already short of funds, in order to do what is required. Then through in the complaints that they get when/if the entry fees are increased or when they start charging a fee in a place that was free. Remember not so long ago when the price of the America the Beautiful Senior Pass was increased from the $10 cost that it had since it was begun as the Golden Eagle Passport in 1965, was renewed as the Golden Age Pass and in 2004 became the America the Beautiful pass with no increase in cost? That price was increased to $80 in 2017 and the $10 of 1965 is equivalent to $95.80 today. For some interesting reading, check out How Are National Parks Funded?

[agesilaus]

11 hours ago, bruce t said:

What's the solution? I have no idea but someone had better find a solution soon or the problems will only get worse.

They have found a solution, G;acier, Yosemite, RMNP have all limited the number of visitors. You have to get a pass in order to enter. YNP is so large they the NPS has not limited that park yet. GSMNP needs to do it in my opinion and has for years. Driving thru Cades Cove will convince you. Tho there is nothing they can do about US 441. Zion and Arches are next probably, Arches has been shutting the gates once they reach their limit. And Zion has that parking lot.

[bigjim]

I have heard recently that you need a reservation time for Carlsbad Caverns during spring break at least and during spring break Bandolier NM had suggested reservations for "prime" visitation hours or come early or late in the day.

[2gypsies]

All entrance fees and various user fees stay in the national parks, thankfully.  80% goes to the specific park and 20% to any national park that needs extra.

However, that doesn't begin to catch up on backlog of repairs in the parks.

Volunteering in parks helps greatly. Volunteers do what the rangers don't have time to do.  It's worthwhile doing for anyone... even families living close to a national park help out.  Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park has over a 1,000 volunteers and many are families because of being so close to Denver and other cities.  Some of them work on the Bighorn Brigade.... keeping the Bighorn Sheep safe from motorists.... a fun gig to see the sheep up close!

https://www.nps.gov/romo/getinvolved/volunteer.htm

[Kirk W]

1 hour ago, 2gypsies said:

being so close to Denver and other cities.

Denver is 630+ miles, & Salt Lake City is 320+ miles. 

[2gypsies]

1 hour ago, Kirk W said:

Denver is 630+ miles, & Salt Lake City is 320+ miles. 

Denver is 65 miles from Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park. 

Other cities near the park that volunteers commute from:  Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Boulder

Where was Salt Lake City mentioned?

[Kirk W]

16 minutes ago, 2gypsies said:

Denver is 65 miles from Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park. 

Oops! 🥴 Somehow I read it as Yellowstone.

[agesilaus]

Quote

Another issue is that the parks don't receive enough money to do even basic repairs in many cases. 

 

Back during Trumps admin they passed a big chunk of money for park maintenance and repairs. I don't know if that has all been dispensed yet.

[2gypsies]

3 hours ago, agesilaus said:

Back during Trumps admin they passed a big chunk of money for park maintenance and repairs. I don't know if that has all been dispensed yet.

The bill was short for backlogged repairs.  By now that amount is much higher.

WHAT IS THE GREAT AMERICAN OUTDOORS ACT?

The National Park Service accounts for 84 million acres of land at 400 different sites, but as of 2019, they were due for $11.9 billion in deferred maintenance and repairs. The bill will direct up to $6.65 billion to priority fixes and up to $3 billion for agencies such as the Fish and Wildlife Service.

from 'Outdoor Alliance':

The Need for More Funding

While GAOA begins to address the maintenance backlog, public lands and waters still need more funding. GAOA only addresses about half of the Park Service’s backlog of maintenance projects and only one-quarter of the backlogged Forest Service projects. Providing additional funding for deferred maintenance projects can help to re-open many areas to the public, which could be beneficial in addressing overuse and capacity issues. Additionally, agencies need staff to do all of the planning, analysis, and other work that informs (or bottlenecks) projects on the ground.

[bruce t]

Someone needs to reintroduce the CCC.