This archive report was first published on 29 August 2021.
As the number of visitors to national parks continues to grow, so does the frustration of those who are unable to gain access to these popular destinations. In Utah, Arches National Park has taken the drastic measure of closing its gates entirely when things get too busy, leaving sightseers who arrive too late in the day to get in feeling disappointed and frustrated.
According to Megan Lawson of Headwaters Economics, when a family is shut out of Arches, they are likely to use Google to find an alternative destination. This is a natural response, and one that highlights the need for the Park Service to anticipate the pressures that surrounding public lands will face.
One solution to this problem is to identify the national monuments closest to the most crowded Park Service sites and reclassify them as national parks. This would give road trippers an alternative option when they realize their initial destination is too busy.
For example, if the six million annual visitors to the Grand Canyon were to be enticed to visit Arizona's similarly majestic Canyon de Chelly, which is currently a national monument, it could provide a welcome relief to the crowds at the Grand Canyon. Similarly, if the hundreds of thousands of eager hikers packing into Zion every month were to take a chance on Cedar Breaks, a national monument in Utah, it could provide a more peaceful experience for visitors.
Of course, there are concerns about the impact of reclassifying national monuments as national parks. Some argue that it could lead to overcrowding at these sites, while others argue that it could provide a much-needed boost to local economies.
As the superintendent of Grand Teton, Mr. Jenkins, notes, the Park Service is constantly having internal debates about the tricky business of alleviating crowding at some sites without overwhelming others. However, with many national parks already reaching their limits, it may be time to consider reclassifying national monuments as national parks to provide an alternative solution.
