National Parks overcrowding.

[goducks10]

Long article but still interesting.
https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2018/12/updated-national-parks-working-figure-out-how-best-man...

[Beentherefixedt]

drsteve wrote:

Beentherefixedthat wrote:

But to remove the posts of those of us who pushed back against the odious posts seems to equate the two which is certainly not the case.

Well, since the mod took out the trash, there's really nothing left to push back against. If those posts were left, folks who come along later will wonder who the comments are directed at.

Yes I get that completely, and agree, but not all pushback was off topic and included other points.

I fully agree it was the right thing to do in this case.

[drsteve]

Beentherefixedthat wrote:

But to remove the posts of those of us who pushed back against the odious posts seems to equate the two which is certainly not the case.

Well, since the mod took out the trash, there's really nothing left to push back against. If those posts were left, folks who come along later will wonder who the comments are directed at.

[Beentherefixedt]

dedmiston wrote:
The suggestion to limit attendance to US citizens was nuts and the reactions were predictable and then confused. I deleted that part of the conversation to bring the topic back on track. Please don’t resume that weird part of the discussion.

Thank You for moderating this discussion in a more surgical and thoughtful manner with a much appreciated explanation of what you did and why so that those of us still here understand.

But to remove the posts of those of us who pushed back against the odious posts seems to equate the two which is certainly not the case.

But Cheers to you for your effort here. This is a welcome shift in approach.

[drsteve]

Many backcountry areas already operate a lottery to award camping permits. We may eventually see more of that for visits of all sorts.

[dedmiston]

The suggestion to limit attendance to US citizens was nuts and the reactions were predictable and then confused. I deleted that part of the conversation to bring the topic back on track. Please don’t resume that weird part of the discussion.

[ppine]

One of the answers to consider, is increasing the cost of admission. Nearly all NPs are way behind on their maintenance. They need more revenue. It might decrease visitorship somewhat. Compared to the cost of tranportation, camping fees, and groceries and other costs, higher admission fees would be minor.

[RGar974417]

If you go during peak summer months then yes, they will be over crowded. Go in spring and fall and things are much better.

[goducks10]

shelbyfv wrote:
Over population causes lots of problems. Can't see an end to it as long as we continue to think our own DNA is so special we need to pass it along to 10 kids....

Families have on average 2.4 kids in the US. Maybe it has to do with a finite amount of Ntl Parks and a normal increase in population along with 10 years of RV sales that have been off the charts. Millennial's that like the outdoors, overseas economies that are strong, allowing it's citizens to travel abroad.

[bobsallyh]

You know KM ROLLING, we spend usually about six weeks in the West Yellowstone area. We go into the park at least four times a week. We're like you, don't see the issue. Yep, people that wait until 10 AM then hit the West Gate have issues, get off your posterior and get going. We may go in early or after lunch, or around 4 PM. Only traffic at 4 PM is everybody exiting, going the opposite way of us. Old Faithful, and several other sites are "busy" during mid-day, but so many other areas are not "busy" such as Lamar Valley.

[KM_Rolling]

We spent 5 days wandering around Yellowstone last June. We stayed in West Yellowstone and went into the NP each day.

Traffic/crowds were not bad at all. Only got stuck in stop n go traffic twice, both times due to bison walking down the middle of the road stopping the traffic. 🙂

Had a great time!

[Veebyes]

Doing the NPs from Sunday to Thursday helps. Doing them when schools are in better. Not doing the best known ones better almost any time. Avoid NPs when & where the tourbuses loaded with people from who knows where go. It is true, get on a trail more than 100 yds from the carpark & the crowds thin out dramatically.

Ya gotta know how to play the game.

[azdryheat]

The Nat'l Parks are in severe need of a makeover.

[Acampingwewillg]

missnmountains wrote:
I agree they are way overcrowded. On our way up to Alaska this year we stopped for a week at the Grand Canyon and a one day stop at Zion. Both were extremely crowded. Zion now can really only be seen via bus as you can only drive straight through now. Similar to Denali.

Over our lives, we have visited 51 of the 58 major NP's. We have definitely seen the evolution of the increasing crowds.

In 2016 35.4% of the visitors to US national parks were non US citizens.

Ken

Not counting Parks I've just driven through, I counted ONLY 17 Major NP's we've been to! WOW, I have some catching up to do!!!(at least two of those were in Hawaii 🙂 )

[eubank]

Go ahead and visit! Most folks are way too lazy or rushed to wander more than 100 yards or so off the main areas. In very short order, you'll have the place to yourself.
🙂
Lynn