Random Things Reveal Tourists Are Swarming National Parks And Destroying Them (15 items)

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  (#11) They Start Fires Which Can End Up Destroying Millions Of Acres

  While many wildfires are ignited by lightning, many more are started by careless humans. Discarded cigarette butts and unattended campfires have been seen as the cause for almost 90% of the wildfires started in the United States, many of which have affected national parks. In 1988, 50 of the 248 fires near Yellowstone were inside the park, causing damage to 36% of the park and costing $120 million to put out.

  In addition to destroying the landscape, fires in national parks can endanger the lives of both animals and humans. Fire is also something that can be easily avoided when proper care is taken by smokers and around campfires. Jail time and hefty fines are also great reminders to be careful with flames.
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  (#1) The Popularity Of National Parks Are Surging And Attracting People From All Over The World

  To put just how many people visit national parks into perspective, the combined parks saw around 305 million visitors in 2015, while all of the world's Disney parks combined had about 149 million visitors in 2014. Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth but apparently more people want to look at rocks and trees. Thanks to several successful campaigns in recent years, including a centennial anniversary in 2016, America's national parks are more popular than ever.

  People wanting to reconnect with nature or experience the authentic natural beauty of the world account for many visitors, but many people travel from other countries to see America's national parks as well: 20% of tourists at Yosemite in 2010 were from areas outside the US. Although parks like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite are the most well known, you may be surprised to discover that the Great Smokey Mountains actually draw the biggest crowds.
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  (#15) Donald Trump Wants To Privatize National Parks, Possibly Destroying Them

  One of President Donald Trump's goals in office is to privatize some of America's national parks. This would mean eliminating their federal protection and leaving them open to potentially destructive organizations like mining companies. Trump also proposed budget cuts to the Department of the Interior under which the national park system operates. 

  However, he seems to be going about his ideas with conflicting actions. In what some people claimed to be a publicity stunt, Trump voluntarily donated his salary for his first 10 weeks in office to the parks service. But then he lifted a nation-wide ban on plastic water bottles in parks that was set up in 2011 to help the environment. What will eventually happen to America's national parks is anyone's guess.
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  (#12) Sightseeing Planes And Helicopters Create Air And Noise Pollution From Above

  Several companies have set up business close to national parks, offering sightseeing tours via airplane or helicopter. They offer the ability to see amazing sights, such as the Grand Canyon, from a different viewpoint and without bumping shoulders with other visitors. While tours from above do help cut down on the amount of vehicles and selfie-takers throughout the national parks, traffic from above can also cause noise pollution and may slowly make noise in these preserved areas more comparable to urban areas.

  However Dan Haynes who runs a helicopter tour organization above Great Smoky Mountains National Park points out:

  As for the impact of air tours over the parks, I believe [they have] the least negative impact [on] the environment – but the worst perceived impact by those enjoying the parks from the ground...They leave no footprints, no trash and offer many people a fantastic view...In short, we are not around long and we leave no trace.

  If you're traveling to Yosemite, leave your drones at home. They are banned from the park for causing noise pollution affecting both visitors and animals, and may impede with emergency rescue operations.
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  (#13) Crime In National Parks Is Rising

  According to a 2005 report by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, it was more dangerous to be a national park ranger trained in law enforcement than a FBI agent. Although rangers have many more dealings with the public than members of the FBI, crime rates inside national parks are growing. "We've had rapes, we've had murders in the park, we've had bodies dumped in the park," said a chief ranger at Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Las Vegas.

  Fewer park rangers and more visitors each year is part of the problem, and most crimes committed in national parks have drugs or alcohol to blame. Parks near America's borders also have to contend with drug smuggling and illegal immigration. But mostly the problem comes from visitors bringing society's troubles along with them. "We're suffering from the same societal problems that most urban areas are," a park service spokesman commented.
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  (#2) Cars Are Causing Traffic Jams And Polluting The Air

  During the summer months and holidays, traffic within national parks can be just as bad as driving in a city. The amount of visitors each park gets every year can cause long travel delays, both getting into the park and traveling through it. Parking lots within the park are often full as well, making the natural wonder experience not so wonderful.

  Some national parks, such as Glacier National Park in Montana, have adopted a shuttle service to take visitors around the park with stops at important areas and campgrounds. The air pollution from traffic overwhelmed Zion National Park in Utah years ago, and using the shuttle service to get around the park is now mandatory. Shuttles allow visitors a more relaxing experience, and can potentially eliminate people pulling over and blocking traffic to take pictures or causing an accident (the cause behind the majority of deaths in national parks) while distracted by a bison.

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