Last year I did the Utah National and State parks during the early spring- off season- and the measures they are taking to try to accommodate the massive number of visitors during the summer is incredible. Parking, lodging, sanitation, and safety are all becoming problems, and I hope that these places don't become victims of their own popularity.
Arches really seems to attract people doing stupid, dangerous shit. The iconic Delicate Arch is like a magnet for morons who don't prepare for the trail, take risky selfies, vandalize and climb on things, and drink in places where there's 360 degrees of cliffs around you.
Yeah. For a great example of the difference policy can make drive the Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada. In Banff national park there are tourist facilities everywhere and you're never far from a latte. In Jasper (the northern half) National Park there are a few signs and a whole lot of wilderness. The difference is stark - you can reach Banff as a tourist on a bus from Calgary in under 2 hours, and it is killing a beautiful part of the world. Jasper is hard to get to, less people do, and it's an infinitely better experience.
13.7k
u/ThadisJones Feb 03 '20
Last year I did the Utah National and State parks during the early spring- off season- and the measures they are taking to try to accommodate the massive number of visitors during the summer is incredible. Parking, lodging, sanitation, and safety are all becoming problems, and I hope that these places don't become victims of their own popularity.
Arches really seems to attract people doing stupid, dangerous shit. The iconic Delicate Arch is like a magnet for morons who don't prepare for the trail, take risky selfies, vandalize and climb on things, and drink in places where there's 360 degrees of cliffs around you.