On The Trail: Utah's too-popular National Parks
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2016
- A summertime visit to a National Park is a tradition moving into its second century. But America's parks may have become too successful in attracting visitors from around the world. Conor Knighton takes the measure of park tourism then and now.
it's actually a big problem when people don't respect the land, go off trail and litter. I don't mind seeing thousands of people in Zion Canyon if conservation practices are followed by everyone
I agree, there are some really inconsiderate tourists out there. Zion National Park is notably the most crowded I have ever been to.
That is true! Always make it a habit to carry a back pack big enough for my gear and room to pick up litters left by inconsiderate tourists.
Call me a racist all you like, but the biggest culprits of litter on trails and in the parks themselves are Chinese tourists. I actually got in a fight with some when I saw a tour group leaving all of their lunch trash at the base of a tree in Muir woods one day. Not a care in the world.
The Park Service should charge double or triple entrance fees for non-American citizens or legal residents. This would help to clean up some of the messes the P.R.C. citizens and other notorious offenders leave while visiting, while not discouraging ordinary citizens from visiting THEIR OWN LAND.
What are they going to do if confronted with higher fees, turn around and fly back to the People's Republic of China in a huff? Round trip tickets to China cost around $1,800. Paying $90 to visit Zion would be nothing.
@@Lylelanley99 you're just stating what is observed on a daily basis. Not a stretch to say that tourists from mainland China have no manners or respect for nature or objects of historical significance.
I did Zion and Bryce in the month of November and totally loved it.... No crowds.... beautiful and peaceful.... like it was meant to be.
Ritwik Sharan Went to both in November as well. There were still crowds, but it was not overwhelming. Granted it was Thanksgiving week. Non holiday weeks are I’m sure even better. I would never go during the summer.
Going to Zion the first week of November. Do you think it's possible to park a car inside the park in November or would I have better luck parking in Springfield and taking the shuttle in?
I believe that the shuttle service stops by the end of October (check website). I got parking at Angel's Landing at 10 am. Try to make it earlier and the parking should be a breeze..
I was in Arches National Park the last week of June 2018. Took an 8 day road trip through the Southern US all by my lonesome! It was my first time out west, and I met up with a friend who is an experienced desert hiker/national park-er. We got into the park EARLY - like before 7 am - and there were hardly any people in the park. By the time we left, around 10 am, the parking lots of the trails were full, but it still wasn't crowded like this video was showing. Most of the people we saw were respectful of the environment and other hikers, and everyone we met were really very friendly. I would happily go back and spend more time in Moab, Utah. So beautiful, really. Brought tears to this Floridian's eyes. Told my mother about it, and she's already making me plan out a trip to the Grand Canyon. She got jealous! Anyway, so glad I risked a venture by myself! Utah is beautiful. I have photos of the trip and memories that are indelible.
I am so glad I’m not the only one who did this! I flew from Tampa to Vegas and drove the southwestern desert through Arizona, Utah, and Nevada!
encchick2 I too went by myself to Arches National Park and Zion National Park. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Ya it was crowded but it was well worth it.
It's great you guys are going and it is amazing--and you are always invited!! It's just rough when you grew up here and now visiting is pretty much impossible. I'm sure all tourist places feel the same. Moab is the worst. When you are planning a vacation from Florida, yes you expect and plan to pay high hotel prices. When you re used to driving there for a quick one night get away paying 250 a night makes it no longer possible. Again, I'm sure all places can say this. Utah is just tough because before we had so many places to get away... and now it's insane. TWE in Moab sees 600 riders a DAY during the summer. ONE TRAIL, 600 riders. I used to ride it when certain sections had to be poached and we could get a ticket. Imagine that!
I ONLY go in the winter....... No crowds especially if you just want the solitude.
My wife and I visited Zion NP last week after a twenty five year absence. The crowds were ridiculous! The shuttle system is not bad but the congestion was very disappointing. Grand Central Station isn't as crowded. I blame the greedy Utah politicians who view this park as basically a money magnet. This park has been over- promoted. These same politicians are complicit with the shrinking of Bears Ears National Monument. This is very discouraging.
Yeah Utah is getting over crowded and muddled up by out of state idiots. I miss the days when people would ask what zion national park was, where it was, and why would anyone want to visit there. Now people that don't even live here start telling us about it as if they've got this amazing national park secret only they know, and insist we must visit. The mighty five used to be our hidden gems, now they are nothing but open area trash dumps littered with porta-johns and exhaust fumes. Makes me proud to be a native utahn, but sickens me to see my childhood backyard used and abused by people who don't come for appreciation, they come because its the current hot spot. When the dust settles and the crowds die, what we will be left with is our once mighty parks (no pun intended) filled with degrading plastic porta-johns, graffiti laden everything, trash strewn from the hilt to the heavens, and no wildlife left to enjoy. Perfect reason why the human race should be wiped from existence, we are cancer that spreads and destroys everything we can see and touch. Very sad...
Stan, I agree. I frequented Zion back in the 90s and it was my all time favorite park. I recently visited this year and was disgusted at what the park has turned into. I barely spent 3 hours there before I got tired of it and left.
Just don't go during the summer. That's when like 3/4 of the tourists visit..
I am thinking of going in October. Is it less crowded then?
@Polifatts. . . that theory used to work for Yellowstone as well. We live one hour away and go very, very early and very, very late in the season. We are talking early snow days. This year both spring and fall (yesterday, October 9th, 2018) the park was jammed with tourists from Asia. I am in mourning for what used to be a peaceful experience. What is really sad is that they should just stay home and watch videos. That is what we see in the park. . . they are recording it with their phones and often never look past the screen. We watched on woman follow her ipad screen around. I'm surprised she did not trip.
I honestly think that timed entrances aren't a bad idea. Til then, there are many beautiful places to explore outside of the traffic jams.
Kate D yeah they are going to implement the permit system most likely next year in 2019.
Also, the more the hidden places of Utah (or anywhere really), the better it is.
Like I live about an hour away from Zion and know of plenty equally gorgeous places, but dont really want to share it even with my fellow college mates.
I fear that making entrance more difficult will only push people into more remote, less visited places that are currently enjoyed in peace and solitude.
Sounded like he was keeping the superintendent awake during the interview.
Bahaha I was hoping someone would notice Mr. Snooze
Visited all 5 parks in less than 1 year's time. Some tourists are so disrespectful and they were at Zion and Arches. Made me sad and upset. Would love to go again but maybe when it's colder.
Come in October - Zion's is gorgeous with the leaves changing color and you can drive right up to the hikes (no shuttle bus).
For this reason I traveled these parks in late May and worked out just fine in most part, we Americans are truly lucky to have these national parks to call our own
geoffnepo fall -> spring is perfectly fine to visit parks.
But the summer is where the real issue lies.
The most important part not mentioned by the reporter nor the Park Service was the HUMAN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT. THE LANDSCAPE, PLANTS, TREES, WATERWAYS AND WILDLIFE.
Respectfully, would you prefer that these natural areas be completely preserved? Totally absent of people?
I LOVED MY TWO DAYS AT ZION NATIONAL PARK.. NATIONAL PARKS ARE FOR THE PEOPLE.. With that said.. It was peak season, I arrived at the gates around 7:15am.. Only a couple of cars in front of me. Parked, the lot was filling up quickly. Arrived at the shuttle stop and got on a packed bus. Exited at The Grotto and hiked up to Angels Landing. It is a great life memory. I don't know how so many people were there before us.. Did that many people stay in the park the night before. Did every car in the parking lot go to Angels Landing? Long waits for groups to pass on the chains.
Zion Canyon needs restrictions/reservations or some way to limit the daily amount of people. Day two was spent hiking in Kolab Canyons and that was amazing also and far less crowded. Day three was spent in Bryce which photos can do no justice.. Day four, we found an amazing locals hike..
Yosemite Valley is much larger but encounters incredible congestion..
First went to Zion in June 1989 and it was practically empty. I thought, this is the life for me. This year I took my son to Zion, and yeah, it was packed. If I come back, it will be during the off season, and I think I'll rent a bike.
And so why is most of Bears Ears being eliminated? To set that land aside for extracting businesses?
this is crazy because there are so many places, especially in Utah but all over the country as well, that are just as beautiful and way less crowded. It's true that there are certain iconic places, like the Grand Canyon, that you just have to see. But even there, there are places off the beaten path. Just by visiting the North Rim you are already eliminating something like 90 percent of the visitors compared to the South Rim. Then there are lesser known places of which there are seemingly limitless amounts, one example being Goblin Valley State Park. You can also simply drive down any dirt road on public land for some solitude. Just do some research before you go and I'm sure you can avoid the crowds even at the popular spots.
Been hiking in Zion for years .... won't go unless Oct -March, maybe April. Check out Oscars in Springdale, btw. The food is never disappointing.
Its a nightmare to be surrounded by "tourists." We cut our vacation short in Zion, you literally couldn't get away from morons who showed no regard for wildlife, plants, they littered, children running everywhere unsupervised, a few feet from with sheer vertical drop-offs, idiots "hiking" in flip-flops, talking so loud they echoed through the narrow canyons, music blaring, most don't know simple trail etiquette and are rude...ugh. Sadly, to find a true get away spot, you have to go to undeveloped areas. Good luck finding that.
Agree, 100%. Tourists everywhere defeat the purpose of exploring nature in peace and solitude..
it is so sad hear such complains from people about such beautiful places .yeah turists looking for different place but what to do as a human u should be patience that's all thank u
White Fang, there is no excuse for the behavior Eliza Star described. There merely being a lot of tourists at Zion National Park is one thing; the littering, mistreatment of wildlife and plants, endangerment of children, loud noises, and general rude behavior ruins the experience of everyone there and the Park itself.
I cancelled plans this summer for a vacation in either Acadia, Banff, or Glacier park. A lot of the reviews on tripadvisor describe exactly what you just posted. I'm an affable and outgoing individual, but I have very little tolerance for tourists pushing safety limits with stupid selfie antics, and park visitors with a boisterous demeanor who treat parks like a pseudo frat party venue. I'm forgoing parks this summer and will wait until the fall to visit the Vermont and New Hampshire mountains again. No Disneyland stampede vibe during the beautiful fall season : )
noname, I was in Glacier over 4th of July week and I agree 100% with what you are describing. The eastern part of the park (Many Glacier, etc.) Is a lot better than the West if you ever decide to go. Going to the Sun Road was a complete disaster in the early afternoon, but if you hit it around 6 PM in the summer time (it doent get dark until almost 10), it is nice and clear.
I've been to Zion twice but off peak - April and November - and it was great. I wouldn't go near the place in the summer.
I went thru there in May and had the whole place to myself..
The summer is fine to go to the park, but you gotta be there before 7am when the first set of busses gets you into the park.
Seriously the national parks in Utah are getting swarmed with people. For good reason, but it definitely takes away from the experience
I use to live in Moab back in the 90's and Love the place but now since the Mighty 5 I have vowed to never return. When you advertise wilderness like it was any other commodity this is what happens. Millions of people loving it to death.
Actually, the people are secondary to the existence of the parks. Their first purpose is preserving their relevance to nature. The presence of people in the mix should not significantly degrade that central value. it ain't no football game out there.
are people not natural?
CAUTION!- Ecoterrorists have released a half million rattlesnakes in each mighty 5 park at popular locations. They used an instagram location tagging system to find the most suitable locations to release them.
Another major problem is cell phone videos, which are sent to everybody and their dog back home. Next thing you know, they're also out there, and doing the same video thing. First thing you know, there's bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Arches road, as an example. I'm glad I visited there 30+ years ago.
I remember visiting Zion in June of 2019. WAY too crowded, it’s impossible to have a peaceful wilderness experience with that many people. I also noticed that visitors had made many goat trails near the river, damaging vegetation. Otherwise though a stunning place to be!
I haven’t gone into Zion during peak season for over a decade. It’s just too crazy. Go In February or March right before the shuttle opens and it’s much better but very cold
The permit system is a great way to control the number of visitors, like for example, White Rim trail in Canyonland, 25 permits a day are granted, but don't think driving a Prius or a minivan on this route, you ain't gonna go far
Our national parks used to be a treasure...now they are over run by tourism...or greed for that matter...over run by foreigners...no solitude to be found...it's absolutely disgraceful.
Worst part is the people you see on Angel's Landing. Went up once and apart form the height, the people were the scariest part. You have people going up in flipflops, letting their children run about, rushing past and pushing people, and worst off they don't bring enough water and are not in any condition to finish the hike. Seriously if you're not an experienced hiker stay away from Angel's Landing
I just came back from a trip to Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park. The crowds were awful. And this was the last week of September, well after the summer crowds are supposed to be gone. I've been visiting the parks for over 30 years and every year it gets worse.
The best way to avoid the crowds at NPs is go during the off seasons like April or May in thee spring or October or November in the fall. If one can, avoid the weekends. I can find it pretty easy to be away from the crowds as you just have to be flexible when you want to go to these places.
shut up quit advertising ;)
There are tons of beautiful places in Utah that get very few visitors. But they aren't national parks, they are on BLM/national forest land. National Parks are way too hyped up. This applies to any other state as well.
The Escalante region is amazing!
Very true! National Forests have great hiking and camping and most let you bring dogs.
The super took laidback to uber level.
Lesser known Aussie national parks have been packed, not to mention the famous Arches.
Timing. I went to Zion the Wednesday after Labor Day. Busy? Yes. Crazy? No. Kids back in school and most everybody there for the holiday weekend gone. I dislike crowds and I never felt “crowded”. The weather was perfect. My opinion is: if you visit these parks in June/July/August, especially on a weekend, you’re asking for it. I road pikes peak on a Wednesday morning thinking I was smart. But it was early August and it was insane.
Used to enjoy going to the Smoky Mountains National Park but now you spend your entire vacation sitting in traffic jams and waiting in lines try to do some hiking it's like walking down the sidewalk of a major Metropolitan City at rush hour and try to go at peak season in the fall when the leaves are changing Give It Up
Went to zion this summer on a Monday.... Shuttle is empty the whole ride lol.... Ppl should go on work day of theyre on Vacation
Can the government increase the park entrance fees? I went to Yellow Stone this summer, it's only $35 for 7 days. I think it is too cheap. There are lots visitor from foreign countries too. Increase fees can also collect enough money to maintain the parks. Government kept saying they don't have enough money, rather than make all tax payer paying for it, why not increase the entrance to $100? Still pretty cheap.
Maybe for someone who only goes to a national park once every 5 years... but someone like myself who lives in Southern Utah and isnt even an hour away from Zion. Paying $100 every time I enter is absolutely ridiculous.
Then you can get a annual pass. And government can give discount to local residents etc. See how the government don't have enough money to maintain all the parks. $35 for everyone anyone is not the way to go.
Visit Manti la Sal National Forest in Eastern Utah if you want all the wonder but none of the crowds.
As Taylor Swift sang “ I will never, never, never go back to Zion N P. What a zoo. We just came back from Zion and Bryce (September 2018). We purposely waited till the school kids were back in school. We even visited on a week day. We waited 3 hours in line for a camping spot. We tried to park in the visitor center to get the shuttle, no way. Fortunately we parked in our campground and then walked to get the shuttle. We couldn’t get out of there fast enough. They have a serious problem, and I’m not sure what they can do about it. I keep asking myself why would I leave the Pacific Northwest to camp and hike in Utah. The tour buses are a real pain.
They just need more infrastructure. Yellowstone and Grand Canyon handle crowds like this constantly.
Yellowstone was a MUCH MUCH worse experience traffic and crowd wise for me this summer than Zion was. The Zion bus system actually worked very well, where as i got stuck in traffic for an hour plus in yellowstone and it took 2.5 houra after that to go 45 miles because people literally parked their cars in the road, and go out to take photos of bison. Morons.
I will not go back to yellowstone during peak/high season ever again. Zion was fairly smooth with shuttles during peak season.
ReticulatingSplines this park has more visitors than Yellowstone.
There’s only so much infrastucture you can do for a small park like zion.
Like the park is stupid tiny compared to Grand Canyon & Yellowstone.
They have about the same amount of visitors, except in a far far far smaller space to explore in. This is where the issue is.
Yellowstone can't handle the crowds anymore either.
National forests are the way for backpackers
It’s sad, we used to go there every once in a while when I was younger. Then we moved away from that area and I’ve been looking forward to going back ever since. But now, I’m beginning to think it’ll be ruined by the time I get to go back because of incompetent tourists that just want to take selfies.
these crowds are mostly in june, july and august
We love people visiting and enjoying our state. Just keep your feet off the crypto and clean up after yourself, Otherwise have a great time.
I'd rather avoid the summer season. It greatly softens the problem.
When is off-peak season?
now .. i was there just a few weeks ago . most RV spots where open no snow or ice at that time
Late fall to end of winter/early spring. It may be cold, or snow/ice but really depends on the weather. I usually go during the winter months and been always lucky with mild weathers. Best time to visit. Seems like you have the whole park all to yourself at times. No waiting, no traffic, and you can drive your car freely with no restrictions. I don't do RV so I stay at a hotel and a lot cheaper too.
alwilliam - Agree! Just avoid Thanksgiving week though :)
Spring and Fall are excellent. I live in Utah and have been to all of these parks many times. Parks only get uncomfortably crowded in the summer or holiday weekends. Come visit any other time and you'll have a good experience. Just bring a hoodie cause it can get cold in the desert when the sun goes down.
We stayed in Virgin over winter months at the RV Resort. Very small crowds of people in the winter months at Zion and Bryce. We’d never go back in the summer months because of the crowds!
Unlimited visitation is an irresponsible way to run the parks. It degrades both the environment and the experience for the visitors. Many popular backcountry wilderness areas have quotas in place to help minimize the impacts. It's past time to initiate quota systems for the most popular parks.
And kudos to Zion NP for having the foresight (and the fortitude) to start the shuttle system years ago. As bad as it is now it was arguably worse back when there were cars parked on every inch of shoulder within the valley. Yosemite attempted to start a similar system years ago but ended up caving in to the whining motorists who demanded to have their cars with them. So Yosemite NP still has hideous traffic and parking issues which could have been dramatically reduced with a mandatory shuttle system.
Sadly, this makes the most sense.
I would think that a quota on National Parks would only drive people into national forests and other outdoor recreational areas that don't currently see as much traffic, degrading those environments. Sure, it sucks that the National Parks are overrun with people, but I would prefer to keep those people contained in the National Parks where their ecological impact is limited.
Have to compromise, unfortunately.
Question: If I show up on a bicycle, do I still have to utilize the shuttle system?
@@praxedes2 Last time I was there you were free to ride your bike into the park. In fact there's a very nice multi-use path you can ride on.
Everyone complaining about a crowded national park, that's why it's a national park it's for everyone!
I went there and some of the worst things I heard were "this looks like central park", " I want yo go home. This is lame" "what's so cool. Its just a mountain"
Lol once I heard, "I thought it would be greener" and I'm all like, you visit in November and expect greenery??? boi
What a bunch of morons
I admire the interest to get away to nature i see these crowds will only contributing to more pollution in our national parks.
it's great so many people are getting out to see our wonderful National Parks
Monetize a landform? Thats not right.
There's a reason why they are called America's Crown Jewels.
Mt Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park are WAY overrated folks! Nothing to see here everyone, spend your time somewhere better!
Just move along and avoid Washington state altogether, nothing pretty here at all.
Olympic was amazing.....i mean...the worst park ever. No one go. Go to yellowstone instead people.
;)
Are you kidding? Rainier and Olympic are 2 of the most gorgeous parks in the country lol. Everyone, don't listen to this guy.
No Brian, Yellowstone is absolutely pathetic. They should go somewhere else.
@@secondact7151 Are you being sarcastic?
@ Arekg manash. Yes, of course. Just a way to express my frustration at the over crowding and disrespectful people that are crowding into Yellowstone.
In 100 years there will be condominiums in those places. This planet is disgustingly over populated.
Nice !?
u all have my space..at 67 I am done hiking and visit all these parks.. I enjoy great videos on tese parks..lol//emotionally disturbing or distressing.
"she was going through a traumatic divorce"
synonyms: disturbing, shocking, distressing, upsetting, heartbreaking, painful, scarring, jolting, agonizing, hurtful, stressful, damaging, injurious, harmful, awful, terrible, devastating, harrowing
"the enduring pain of this traumatic event"
relating to or causing psychological trauma.
MEDICINE
relating to or denoting physical injury.
There seemed to be some serious sexual tension between the Zion Park Lead Ranger and the reporter.
Secret! If you really want to observe uncluttered western landscapes then view some vintage western movies, serious! No BS selfies or marauding mobs to contend with.
Everyone keep flooding into these parks, they are safe, that land outside the parks, it's scary and deadly, never go into them, ever!
Having the best experience. 'LOL It is about the Money that the state is making
The main reason I'll never go and see alot of the National Parks. It's a shame, because they'll be destroyed by children of same parents who litter, and show no regard for it being what it is. A NATIONAL Park. It angers me, at what goes on, and the lack of respect shown to mother nature
Charge more money... duh
It won't last. Hiking is very trendy and hipster right now: everybody has a beard and an REI membership at the moment; everybody's moving to Seattle. But this is America after all, and people will soon go back to their sofas, nachos, and video games (except in the true hiking and climbing states--Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Northern California).
profd65 lol, as if Utah doesnt belong on the list of truly outdoor enthusiast states.
Utah probably does as well. But 90% of the people in that video aren't from Utah.
Don't see many of those types in this vid... I don't think this problem is going away. Either gotta visit in off-season or go somewhere with smaller crowds (MT, ID, NM, AK, etc.)
Every place is so crowded. Please everyone use birth control or practice abstinence before it is too late!
1935 ccc is gonna be back kids lol. and zion is Jerusalem in the Hebrew bible correct? like tf this isnt Israel.
good problem to ahve
This is depressing. Humans need to stop having so many babies.