The US national parks are wildly popular, as evidenced by the 331 million people who visited the 400 sites of the National Park Service in 2017.  The problem is that people are now staying longer in the parks. Higher numbers of tourists combined with longer stays means more abuse of the parks.  And abuse of the national parks, such as Zion Canyon, will probably lead to greater restrictions of visitation schedules. Restricting the number of visitors in a given time period would adversely affect businesses surrounding the parks, such as the hotels, restaurants, gift shops, and gas stations.  This article presents how best to treat the parks and the risks of mistreating them.

How to Treat the National Parks

1. Check weather forecasts for any coming storms.  Rain will not only dampen your vacation, but also can make hiking dangerous because of slippery trails and flash-floods.  Flash flooding down narrow canyons has tragically taken a few people to their deaths.
2. Plan ahead by calling the Park Service a few weeks in advance to state your plans, ask for advice, and how you can preserve the beauty and availability of the parks.  If the park you are planning to visit requires a reservation, make it. 
3. Research websites and outdoor sports experts on the proper gear to take on your national park vacation: footwear, clothing, first-aid kits, sun-block lotions, nutritious snacks, water, and cell phones.
4. Teach your group about the rarity and sanctity of our national parks and that taking or vandalizing resources is not only illegal but also can spoil the park’s beauty and ecology for future generations.  
5. Leave plant life, rocks, and wildlife alone.  They belong to the national parks for generations to enjoy.
6. Stay in any of the nice Zion Canyon hotels in Springdale, Utah.  Your money will boost the economy and make your trip very convenient because the Zion Canyon hotels are just a few minutes from the park’s entrance.  More rest and less driving equate to more energy to tackle the magnificent hikes of Zion National Park.

Overcrowding Spoils the Parks

If park policies and procedures don’t change soon, the national parks could deteriorate to the point of closure.   For example, one recommendation is to require a reservation to visit a national park. This would limit the number of tourists in a park at a given time, which makes the trails less congested and reduces the incidence of park abuse.  The more people in a park, the harder it is for law enforcement to catch people wandering off marked trails and vandalizing rock formations. Hundreds of miles of new trails have been trampled out by apathetic people who break away from official trails.  This causes damage to soil, vegetation, and wildlife habitats.

What Not to Do On Your National Park Vacation

1. Don’t knock rocks off cliffs or down hills.
2. Don’t bother wildlife, especially Big Foot.
3. Don’t allow any of your party to leave marked trails.
4. Don’t tackle a hike without water, snacks, and first-aid supplies.
5. Don’t allow inscribing of words or graffiti anywhere in the park.
6. Don’t take rocks or other artifacts out of the park with you.
7. Don’t leave litter in the park.
8. Don’t bathe or wash clothes in the rivers.

Every national park is precious and provides rejuvenation and inspiring vacations. Please take care of them, accordingly.

How to Avoid National Park Closures

Article By: Clear Content Marketing