Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

Study reveals the dark side of visiting national parks

There's an environmental impact to visiting national parks

By
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park Ledain via Pixabay / Pixabay

Yellowstone National Park, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and geothermal wonders, attracts millions of visitors each year. However, this influx of tourists comes with a significant environmental cost. According to a recent study published by PLOS, tourism to Yellowstone generates nearly 2.3 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually, which is a staggering figure that not many people take into account when visiting the sights.

The dark side of visiting national parks

Yellowstone national park geysers
Lane V. Erickson / Shutterstock

The study, conducted by Emily J. Wilkins of the U.S. Geological Survey, Jordan Smith from Utah State University, and Dani T. Dagan from Clemson University, reveals that the majority of these emissions (about 90%) are generated by visitors traveling to and from the park. Inside the park, transit accounts for 5% of the total emissions, with lodgings contributing 4% and other park operations 1%.

Recommended Videos

Interestingly, while only 35% of visitors fly to Yellowstone, air travel accounts for 72% of the transit-related emissions. Within the park, recreational vehicles (RVs) generate the highest CO2 output per person, at 70.07 kilograms, while tour buses have the lowest emissions per visitor at 15.46 kilograms. Although only 6% of visitors use RVs, they contribute 17.2% of the emissions related to transit within the park.

Related

Yellowstone’s vast size—2.2 million acres—helps mitigate some CO2 output through natural processes. The park is a significant carbon sink, sequestering about 1.5 megatons of CO2 annually. However, this sequestration is not enough to offset the emissions generated by tourism. Climate change and increasing forest fires are projected to reduce future carbon sequestration, making it even more critical to address tourism-related emissions.

The authors warn that tourism-related emissions are expected to increase by 161% from 2005 levels by 2035, primarily due to a projected growth in air travel and longer transit distances. Despite improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency, emissions per tourist are rising because tourists are traveling greater distances.

The study emphasizes the need for a multi-pronged approach to reduce CO2 emissions from tourism. Key strategies include promoting local or regional visitors, reducing the number of visitors flying, and increasing the fuel efficiency of vehicles. The authors suggest that while the number of tourists should not necessarily decrease, changes in travel behavior can significantly impact emissions. Encouraging visitors to drive instead of flying, using public transit, and choosing closer destinations are some of the practical measures proposed.

While national parks offer unparalleled natural beauty and recreational opportunities, the environmental impact of tourism cannot be ignored. The CO2 emissions generated by travel to and within parks contribute significantly to climate change, highlighting the need for sustainable tourism practices.

Should you visit national parks?

A breathtaking view of Yellowstone National Park at sunset
Irene Steeves / Flickr

The answer is 100% yes! Visiting national parks can still be an enriching experience, but it is crucial to adopt eco-friendly practices to minimize your environmental footprint. Here are some tips to reduce your impact:

  1. Choose closer destinations: Opt for parks or natural areas closer to home to reduce travel emissions.
  2. Use public transportation: When available, use public transit options to reach and explore the park.
  3. Carpool or share rides: If driving is necessary, carpool with friends or family to reduce the number of vehicles.
  4. Stay in eco-friendly accommodations: Choose lodgings that prioritize sustainability and environmental practices.
  5. Reduce waste: Minimize your waste by bringing reusable containers, water bottles, and utensils.
  6. Support conservation efforts: Contribute to conservation programs and initiatives that help protect natural habitats and wildlife.

By making conscious choices, visitors can enjoy the beauty of national parks while helping to preserve these precious environments for future generations.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Sarah Joseph
Sarah Joseph
Contributor
Sarah is a lover of all things outdoors. With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, she is always…
This popular Great Smoky Mountains trail will be closed for 18 months — where to hike instead
You won't see this Great Smoky Mountains Favorite for another 18 months. Here's why.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Laurel Falls Trail is a popular destination at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Seeing over 300,000 hikers annually, it's one of the park's most iconic trails. While Gatlinburg was largely spared by Hurricane Helene, Laurel Falls Trail has become unsafe due to loose, broken pavement and other safety hazards. This is largely because the trail hasn't been repaved at all since the trail was made in 1963. The National Park Service is committed to the safety of this trail, so the park has funded a rehabilitation project to give Laurel Falls Trail a well-deserved makeover.

This project will be extensive. The National Park Service reports that they will be making huge upgrades to the trailhead parking area, expanding it by about fifty parking spaces and adding a designated pathway with a guardrail to connect pedestrians to the trailhead. They will also be repaving all of the trails and installing new educational signage along the way to provide wayfinding, bear safety, and Leave No Trace guidance.

Read more
Your guide to Yellowstone’s winter secrets
Now's the best time to visit Yellowstone. Here's why
Amphitheater Mountain at Yellowstone National Park in winter

For most of the year, Yellowstone National Park is flooded with visitors, even with timed entry and reservation systems in place. Visits to Yellowstone plummet once the snows start coming, so if you're allergic to crowds, winter might just be the best time to visit. But don't think that you'll be sitting around, snowbound and twiddling your thumbs! There's so much to do at Yellowstone National Park during the coldest months of the year. Here's your complete guide to Yellowstone in winter, complete with our favorite ways to make this winter getaway the best one yet.
What to expect at Yellowstone in winter

Even though winter sees fewer crowds, Yellowstone still has a $35 entry fee unless you choose one of the park's special free-entry days. This ticket is valid for seven consecutive days. If you plan on visiting other nearby parks like Grand Teton National Park, consider purchasing an "America the Beautiful" pass, which gets you access to both parks.

Read more
An adventurer’s guide to getting around Acadia National Park 
Here's how to make the best of your trip to this national park in Maine
Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park is one of the most visited parks in the entire U.S., seeing almost 4 million visitors this past year. It's easy to see why. Instituted as a national park in 1919, this piece of Maine is home to gorgeous forests, boulder-strewn clifftops, and a stunning coastline all in one place. One of the main draws is that it's one of the best places to see fall colors, but it's also stunning to visit during any time of year. If you want to experience some of the best scenery New England has to offer, here's everything you need to know to make your trip a huge success.
The lay of the land

Acadia National Park spreads across two-thirds of Mount Desert Island, a 108-square-mile island off the northern half of Maine’s coast (called "Down East" in these parts). Mount Desert Island also contains the town of Bar Harbor, which has hotels, restaurants, cafes, outdoor suppliers, and several worthwhile museums. Smaller towns like Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor provide a more low-key stay with fewer crowds.

Read more