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ST. GEORGE — Many national parks, including Zion National Park, are being "loved to death," and officials are encouraging visitors to take in the sights at lesser-known parks this summer.
In 2022, 312 million people visited one of the 424 national parks in America, but nearly half of all visitors were concentrated in 25 parks, according to the National Park Trust. The nonprofit group told St. George News in an email that recreation visits to national parks were up 15 million visits (5%) from 2021.
"Increased visitation is affecting the most popular national parks because erosion or visitor-made trails are starting to form," Ivan Levin, director of strategic partnerships and communications of the National Park Trust, said. "This is ultimately very destructive to the existing ecosystem and wildlife living within the park."
Of all 424 national park units, 49% of the annual 300 million visitors explore just 25 national parks. Levin said his group is partnering with Pacifico for its Parks Less Traveled campaign, which aims to highlight the hidden gems within the national park system and bring awareness to lesser-known parks to alleviate some crowding challenges at "over-loved" parks.
