Crowd solutions needed for Utah's packed national parks
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- Опубліковано 20 чер 2021
- Utah's national parks saw a dip in visitation last year due to the pandemic, but most are on track to break records this year.
FOX 13 spoke with one Texas couple who visited Zion and Bryce Canyon in early June. It was Layne and Misty Hill's first time at both parks and they said they were shocked at how many people were on the trails with them.
"We had been wanting to do this trip for a long time and had been researching it for a long time," Layne said.
"The one thing once we got there that I was not prepared for was the amount of people," Misty added.
I learned very quickly to avoid National Parks entirely. I don't drive out to be in nature and then stand in a crowd of tourists. There is plenty of National Forest
Glad I experienced all the state parks back in the 70s. Now I hike into the remote areas of the Uintas and see nobody for days on end. It's a beautiful thing
I was there fall of 2020. It was insane. Not like it used to be. So disappointing.
The more difficult it is to get to your destination the more rewarding and the more you appreciate those places 💯
Don't spread it around
@@chrisward4576 Nobody goes because the forest service stopped maintaining the trails years ago and horses can't get in there
We are now a culture of ATVs and Side by Sides.
@@markwhitton8230 oh Lord, don't get me started
You want a better outdoor experience, go to the backcountry with a pack. The farther you go the less people.
I third that!
The more work it takes to get somewhere the less people there will be.
Shhhhhhh
Maybe Utah should STOP the CONSTANT ADVERTISING?????
Just a thought.
If these people actually did their research they would have KNOWN how crowded it would be. My wife and I just did both Arches and Zion two weeks ago. Fully expected them both to be packed. Same for the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Absolutely packed!! Not a surprise at all. It's summer for Pete's sake!!
Exactly! My family and I went to arches, grand canyon and sedona in September and it was empty! It was lovely!😀 and the weather was great!
Yep, just takes a few minutes research.
I don't know about Utah's NPs hours, but get yourself up and hit the gate at sunrise. A lot less people and its cooler.
Yeah, like, you did research and you didn't know it would be a sea of people? Sounds like you didn't
Very true!! A simple search on the net could have save them a headache
It's all the people moving here from surrounding states! The canyons in Salt Lake are like a Walmart parking lot now. It's pretty depressing. That's my church. The litter is worse than ever too. The people who are moving here don't have the same respect & connection to our mountains as those of us who grew up in them.
Agreed! This is so true and it's sad. People from surrounding states just seem not to care. There has been so much trash in the Southern Utah area it's crazy. They all seem entitled and have that IDGAF attitude towards nature.
We see the same issue in WA state. People moving here that don't care as much about our local environment and their impact on it.
Colorado neighbor here: I get it. Colorado has become out of stater’s trash bin 😢
@@terrao4971 Same in Southern Utah. It sucks. I get it that people can go anywhere they please but they should at least be respectful and mindful of the area they visit. There used to be a couple places here like Kolob Canyon which never charged a fee to get in, now that there has been more trash and vandalism they have decided to charge an entrance fee, same with Kanara Falls. It's only going to get worse. But I'm glad i have found some nice secluded areas to hang out in. 😊
The bigger the city, the less character the people have,
I just Loved driving through Utah and only went as far as Zion! so much more to see! definitely going back
Maybe try Death Valley NP if you want to find solitude in late June.
Was there last week. Really neat place. Def no crowds.
It's also an oven,so...
Death Valley is never crowded ever the place is the size of some small States there's no way you could even see a crowd there unless you go to the main entrance that's the only time you'll see people anywhere else it's emptiness every day of the year there is no crowded time
Well Utah, you love those tourists dollars, sounds like there might be a downside though...
Yep, Utah is suffering a major drought! But got to cater to the tourists. Unreal.
It's been like this at National Parks all over.
@@EMRAE_8 the US has cabin-fever from lockdown. And when they shutdown our national parks I think it made lots of people crave them! I pray everyone gets the much needed freedom without any lose or sufferings. Cabin fever can make people crazy!
Just have Camela tell them not to come
VJS If only Kamala had told your dad that.
I gave up camping a couple years ago. There’s more peace and tranquillity at home now.
thats not a vacation!!! dealing with crowds, noise, traffic.
Just our experience- but we have hiked Arches the past 2 days having just traveled from Zion and it has been actually quite pleasant. Downright chill at Arches. Sure, it’s summer break so you can’t possibly expect alone time in the wilderness but if you don’t roll in at noon it’s been pretty manageable.
We have noticed a lack of international travelers I suppose due to COVID restrictions. Zion’s shuttle is a good limiting factor -the line was long at 7am but by noon there was no line. Arches closed at 7am and we circled back at 11 and got in (check their Twitter for updates). Looks like a lot of hotel development in Moab which maybe should be a consideration. We also were itching for some nature time. Here’s hoping we can make these amazing places accessible to everyone and also support the local communities and economy.
If you have a motorcycles can you ride right up to hte entrance gate?
Social media really screwed this up. Sad actual outdoor enthusiasts cant enjoy their stay with these social media attention seekers who can give two shits about outdoors but only care about likes on their photos.
I recently went to Arches, I saw so many women in dresses and full on makeup doing photoshoots at delicate arch. They don’t even appreciate the nature. It’s pure narcissism
@@Leticia-yj2tq yes, my point exactly. Sad.
💯 correct
You should have reworded your reporting to "Estes Park saw an increase in revenues from sales taxes..." Saying it as "Estes Park saw a sales tax increase..." makes it sound like the sales tax rate increased.
I would go to the Backwoods ! Hiking is no longer a experience anymore, it is about getting the best selfie to post on Instagram !
It’s the pandemic causing everyone to visit places they normally weren’t visiting. It’s the same issue with amusement parks.
Michelle Romo, what pandemic?
It’s self absorbed millennials doing it for the gram.
Just came from Cedar Breaks National Monument. It was beautiful. Not too crowded. And the weather was great.
Zion is really beautiful and less crowded in the winter especially when it snows. The white snow on the red rock looks great.
How about STOP advertising.
Turning into a zoo.
Couldn't agree more. So many UA-cam'ers and podcasts promoting the outdoors soon it'll all be disneyland. Oh wait..it already is.
I was in Zion on Saturday June 26 2021 around 2 o'clock and there was no wait for shuttle. The only traffic was due to road work after we entered the park. We waited about 15 mins.
Increase park access fees significantly. That would reduce visitors
@@moptisevare183 agree with you 💯
Start at 100 bucks and take it from there. Weed out the riff-raff.
Just got back from Zion a few days ago. 1.5 hour wait to hike Angels Landing. Took us nearly 2 hours to get a shuttle bus to stop at our bus stop to pick us up. It was Crazy busy.
I feel so fortunate to have enjoyed that region in the 70's and 80's when it was barely known, Lake Powell when it was completely full...
With you on this. Glad I'm not any younger
Zion is very busy and very busy in June. If you want to hike some of the busier trails you have to start them first thing in the morning or later at night.
I agree. 👍 We start all our hikes at sunrise or a bit before sunset. Crowds are limited.
Typical reaction of a politician(s) making a ” big to-do over nothing".
There's always 'peaks and valleys' in visitation at our national parks. This past year, likely helped by the political pandemic created by...... politicians.
It's not nothing. Our national parks, like our country, are overcrowded and being ruined. I have been going to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks my whole life and it's more like going to Disneyland on a crowded day than it is anywhere near getting away from it all and being one with nature. It's traffic jams and lines everywhere you go. Same with Lake Tahoe. We just find other places to go now.
You complain about crowding but yet you are part of the problem. Reservations are so stupid, the government shouldn't tell us what to do with our own land and our own tax money
I agree
@Mike Hunt another brainwashed and completely clueless, what I assume to be a modern day "liberal". Or maybe you're just flat out commie. On the basis of how you assumed I am conservative. But anyway, maybe you should read a book or something. Maybe particularly one on Somalia, and its current government. Once you get educated come back to the big boy table. Education really is amazing, try it sometime!
Nailed it. Fugly hag complaining that Zion wasn't emptied just for them. Anyone with an ounce of common sense should've known what they were heading into.
I went last year the week of Labor Day.
Wasn’t too bad. Had a great trip and was able to do lots of hiking.
I just got back from Bryce Canyon 3 days ago. It was not packed. Yes, we avoided Zion.
Why is it that everyone in those wonderful cities are leaving on Friday evening?
It's everywhere. Didn't used to be. Everywhere now.
Glad I spent so much time here 20 yrs ago
Dahhhhh, do on line registration with paid fees in advance. Everyone should be able to enjoy our beautiful parks.
Reservation system should be done for all national parks... I'm in favor of it
Zion is always Times Square for hikers. Just go everywhere else. Plenty of great hikes in national monuments and forest land, state parks, San Rafael swell, Capitol Reef NP. Uinta mountains up north. Literally anywhere but Zion.
Glad I went in April....was told it was all sold out till December..Limited passes to get in...Had to get an account and check everyday at 5pm for passes for the next day....I was Lucky to do Angel's Landing with few people....They should do the same now with limited people going in the park...Yosemite has a lottery for Half Dome.......Good Luck...!!!!!!
I went in May and Zion was a little bust but places like Snow Canyon and Kolob Canyon weren't bad.
I walked from Springdale to the end of the sidewalk trail at the Narrows, in 108° last year because of the stupid reservation system at Zion. Which incedentally, the park service, decided to start charging for ($1.00). My question is, where is the extra $8.5 million dollars going, that the park service is getting from the fee?
30 years ago, this place was epic. I lived 20 miles from Zion. There were alot less people. No shuttles or babysitters.
I stopped going to Zion. Too busy
I make reservations for privately owned facilities. Not publicly owned land. Don't want crowds, don't advertise them, or go at different times of the year. Another great idea, Stop making lands into NP or NM and less people will go. Less trash, less maintenance, less damage, but still open to everyone.
Send Califorians home, problem solved
It will definitely hurt local businesses and also detour people from going out there
Reservations will hurt businesses too
Wish they would go away so us locals had a chance to go to our parks !
“Nobody Goes There Anymore. It’s Too Crowded” - Yogi Berra
Being a local (? 90 min) to Yosemite NP that has reservation system. Peak season dictates it. Otherwise you spend your day in line driving through the park. Reservations are required yearound for the popular hike to top of HalfDome to avoid dangerously crowded trail. My advice?
Plan ahead and prepack night before, even for day hike.
Start early, not meaning "before noon" but hiking just after sunrise(its cooler and less crowded) . Usually my party gets 3-4 hrs of hiking in and sitting in lawnchairs having tailgate lunch while others are arriving.
Quadruple the entry fee, keep the riff-raff out.
Covid made everyone going YOLO! Lockdown 2020 seeing all the pictures of places and things to do made people visit places they would have never visited. All camping sites are booked. All amusement parks packed. I guess you take the good with the bad. Economy coming back for those towns I guess. Spend those stimulus check.
Well I am glad I skipped Zions and went to Bryce instead. The shuttle system is a joke. Took me almost an hour to get to the trailhead. The next day I just drove and never had a problem with parking.
It was only a year. Not a decade. Go home. It’s always going to be there…
Seriously What did they expect? They've been advertising and campaigning to come Utah's 5 beautiful parks every month! So many People and families are escaping out of their homes after being stuck inside for months... and the entry prices have gone up again.
It has to be a better reservation system then the one they used for the Zion shuttle. That platform was terrible and unreliable. All for a reservation system that actually works
It's all about "bin there, done that' with a lot of people who really don't give a damn about matters as long as they can accumulate some god awful selfies.
Social media has ruined everything
I think staggering the times can work
I just got back from Moab/ Arches. We couldn’t get into Arches at 8:30 am. Park was closed and we were told to come back. Went back at 1:00 pm but it was super hot. But at least we got to see this beautiful place.
Wow😳
that many people traversing the trails takes away from the goal of the NPS: preserving the land. Not to mention it equates to unsafe trail conditions, especially on dangerous hikes such as Angel's Landing.
Dosen't look like much fun.
It’s fun and now that people can get out and have been vaccinated people want to be outdoors that line of cars looks like Moab Utah and the tenants in Wyoming all national parks are busy I just think zions need to expand their park and you can’t drive the park but take buses that’s why there’s lots of people. I personally like driving in Moab everywhere it way better then taking a bus I love it. Brace Canyon is crowded but it’s big and so there’s so buses but parking is difficult sometimes but it’s so beautiful
@@juliaweber212 agree. I just got back from Arches and I was overwhelmed to emotional. It’s that beautiful.
Admission quotas like ski areas but not because of COVID mitigation and just out of reason and other safety reasons.
alone time at Zion...hahahahah
This is just sad. If I wanted to be around this many people, I would just go to a big city! They need to sell tickets and limit the amount that can be sold. What a mess.....
They researched and planned
Lol, These are national parks not private parks. Don't go on a weekend and don't go in the summer which is the only time families can go due to school schedules and don't believe the magnificent solitude photos published by the government😄 The West is so huge and massive there are plenty of places to find peace and beauty but they just aren't found on FB pages of fake people "living" fake lives.
I love when people get offended when people come to areas they think they own. Its a free for all.
Visit death valley national park bin summer if you want to see less people!
They didn't know that Angel's Landing is one of THE most popular hikes anywhere? ever? And they supposedly had been planning this trip for years? That's not planning. All you have to do is Google Angel's Landing and you can see how mobbed it is! BTW, make Bears Ears a National Park and there won't be so much crowding at Arches, Zion, etc.
Way to many people at Zion, it ruins the experience! Those of us that live locally can not even enjoy Zion, significant cuts in the amount of people must take place.
America's Done Son !
Agreed
Apparently we need more parks.
Control the crowds by price. Find an amount that will thin the herds.
Start at 100 bucks and take it from there...
As crowded as a Disneyland park ugh
You have mom and pop businesses and tiny citys in neighboring national parks that have no idea how to handle this many people. These city's have people from all over the world coming here and the city citizens have never been anywhere and have no idea what other people expectations are or how to meet them. They don't even have a good report with the national park that feeds their economy.
All these damn Californians coming here
Benjamin Ray------People are coming from all over the world . Those parks are spectacular . I visited all three of those parks in February 2018, and , in Zion parking lots were pretty well full . It wasn`t quite so bad at Bryce Canyon or The Arches . ( In the summer , Glacier up in Montana is packed . )
Ya, can't have anything to do with Mormons having a dozen kids huh?
Out of state folks should pay double, out of country tourists should pay 4x minimum.
@@Upliftyourbrothers do you not understand what a national park is?
Californians are from all over the country and the world. Everyone has a right to travel.
Utah residents should have priority!!!
BigJohnDiesel----They are NATIONAL parks , not , state parks . They are just like Glacier in Montana , Yellowstone in Wyoming , and Yosemite in California . All of them are crowded . Utah residents don`t pay "extra" for having these parks . It is even doubtful that Utah residents were instrumental in getting the parks organized . Utah businesses make a lot of extra money by having those parks around . That extra tourist money allows the state to keep its taxes lower than they would otherwise be .
I could say the same about Colorado but I realize the rest of the world wants to see us. So just go during less crowded times. I want to get into Rocky Mountain National Park but have to wait. It’s worth it.
They’re National Parks my dude, they belong to all Americans, not just people from Utah. If you go to Colorado, California, Texas, or New Mexico you shouldn’t have to pay more to go into a National Park just because you don’t live in their states.
National parks are greedy. Why should there be a fee, except for foreigners..
.
Unfortunately, all of these tourists, leave their trash behind. Pick up people, take it with you, DO NOT LEAVE IT BEHIND FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO SEE. Think about what you are doing. 7-28-21
Well, now I know where to stay away from...
Well duh!!! You closed the national parks all of last year severely limiting who could go. You now have last year AND this years volume!! Best advice would be to create new trails so the park can accommodate more people without being so crammed together. Zion is HUGE and very little of it is actually utilized.
Wow! No respect at all! Or even any knowledge.....just oblivion.
The parks were open last year we went to the Badlands ,Black hills ,Mount Rushmore, devils Tower and Yellowstone
Individuals, politicians and corporations all need to do more to protect the planet from climate change.
Stop using fossil fuels. Stop using pesticides, add solar energy to your home or business, buy an electric vehicle, eat more fruit and vegetables and less meat and dairy, plant a tree, recycle everything. Every adult and child should own a bicycle and ride it regularly. Donate to non profits fighting for a better future. Support and elect climate leaders. Every child should plant a tree, bush or flowers wiith a parent or teacher. It will help connect them to nature and the environment. .What kind of future do you want for your children and grandchildren ?
Reservations make sense. I think the Disney parks have you reserve everything, so why not the National Parks.
Why not? Because national parks are nature. Disney is all man made. Disney is a for-profit enterprise while national parks are owned by US, the citizens of the US. As such, if a citizen decides to get into nature NOW, that should be a priority that needs to be actualized. Healing in nature needs to occur when the need arises. I called my medical provider and said I need an appointment with a counselor. They said no problem - in a month we have a zoom appointment available on the schedule. I said thanks anyway - I'll just go kill myself next week. You see, when nature calls, one must go.
@@howardrobinson4938 Agree that seeking nature is a benefit, and it's sad that so many have sought it at the same time. Rather than close the parks and deny everyone the chance to enjoy, it would be better to work out a reasonable system. I visited Yellowstone with my family in 1976, but I missed a lot of the park because of the crowds and traffic. That was 45 years ago and it looks like there is no going back for me - sigh.
Because it's nature!! All natural. You shouldn't have to pay for the outdoors.. I also hate crowds and people in general but this reservation system is insane. I live next to R.M.N.P. and cant even visit everyday and enjoy some back country hiking anymore because I need a reservation even tho I hold a annual pass. The problem is tourist dont know how to act and always trash the place . WHen I travel to national parks I always avoid the main attraction if its crowded and find another area to appreciate and enjoy and come back when it's less crowded. To many people just want photos for FB or IG to show off where they're at and dont absorb the beauty and enjoy some solitude.
@@4g6_miragecolorado00 Sadly, those days may be gone for a while. You can't put the Genie back in the bottle. Folks have been cooped up, and now they're crazy to get out. Maybe things will settle down and you can get back to enjoying the park. Good luck.
No that really bad idea!!!!!!
Go find a trail with lots of elevation gain and you won't find anybody after a couple of miles. The parks are too easy to access for the normies, if you want solitude get into some nasty terrain.
Population needs to be in balance with jobs, resources, nature and the environment. . Humans are crowding out all other species of plants and animals. Men need to be more responsible for their children or get a vasectomy. More people demand more resources. Endless population growth is not sustainable on a finite planet. Having a child that you can not provide for is cruel and irresponsible. If you can not provide for yourself you can not provide for a child. People need to be more responsible.
Close the borders, we have more than enough people. Tax extra for having more than 2 kids. Overpopulation tax.
Looks fun lots of people. Numbers make it safe.
Numbers do not make it safe.
@@mickmamahawkmickmamahawk5829 it does when it comes to wildlife and people are hero’s. They always want to help when someone gets lost or hurt.
@@marymadeline9533 lol ok. I lived deep in the forest for 12 years with wildlife. Ran into bears, moose, elk...etc. Every day. I never needed numbers to feel safe. I feel safer alone. Shows how diverse humanity is.
moooooooo, pfuh, moooooooo!
The best reason yet not to go. Save-A-Park!! 👍👍👍
Uath do something good people have destroyed Sedona people have made bike trails hiking trails every ridge and draw the forest service does nothing about it the wild life have no place to hide...it's like zoo jeeps side by sides.......
Heres your solution..stop putting fences up and calling them cattle pens or national parks...rivers run wild
We just got back from Grand Canyon South Rim, Zion, Arches, Dixie Forest, and it was great. Not sure why big media is pushing this agenda, we had a great time with no big crowds.
Most businesses rely on tourist revenue to stay solvent. So, stop your complaining and be more careful for what you wish for. Besides, if the opposit happened they would be asking the government for a bail-out. Either way, Ca-Ching, right?
How about limiting the number of people going into the park. DUH. Nothing like spreading covid everywhere.
Don't add govt control. C'mon man.
"We were going to do the Angel's Landing, but it was just too crowded" Hahaha! No it wasn't, I was just there and the crowds were fine, they just figured out how dangerous it was and changed their minds!
ration fuel. problem solved.
How about the human race as a collective make a decision about our numbers on this planet. A reduction is definitely needed.
They're working on it.
....what do u think the um v ** is for....duh
Hopefully when international travel open up it would ease up.
Utah = corona nation parks
We need more immigrants. We need more people here
NUMBER of people, not AMOUNT. We are not ground beef.
Squirm & Learn.
I think only people that live in Utah should be able to visit parks first, then a waiting line for people from out-of-state
You realize these are National parks right? So where I have to drive 3 +hours from Las Vegas and you may drive 1 and live closer- I should have to wait because you live there? That’s so ass backwards. Granted- I wouldn’t plan a visit during peak times anyways.
What a bunch of whiners.
Start a reservation system and Utah residents get priority first. Tired of all these other people from surrounding states coming and trashing our beautiful parks and lakes.
They are National parks. They don’t belong to the state of Utah.
@@ej702 Priority to Utah residents first. Period! Other people coming into our state should stay in their state and trash their state.
@@Luigii1087 Lol.