Reservation Systems Protect National Parks for the Future
Today, on Wednesday, February 18, the Trump Administration announced that it would roll back reservation systems at Arches, Glacier, and Yosemite National Parks. These reservation systems have helped to manage visitation during peak seasons, as national park visitation continues to grow every year, hitting a record high of 331,863,358 in 2024.
In response, Emily Thompson, executive director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, released the following statement:
“This is yet another ill-advised move by the Administration that threatens the National Park Service’s core mission: to protect our national parks for generations to come. As those who have dedicated our careers to caring for these irreplaceable spaces, we are inspired to see more and more visitors safely enjoying our parks every year. But if not managed properly, unlimited numbers of cars and people will overwhelm parks.
“Large crowds can harm fragile ecosystems, endanger wildlife, jeopardize the ability of parks to respond quickly to emergencies, and stretch already overworked staff to the breaking point. We fear this hazardous decision will cause even more damage at parks that are already struggling to protect resources and provide quality visitor experiences thanks to recent and severe staffing cuts. Without a reservation system in place – especially during peak visitation months – visitors can expect congestion everywhere from entry lines to parking lots, and most seriously, delayed emergency response times.
“This is a bad precedent that will inhibit the ability of the National Park Service to prevent excessive visitation and will harm the very places the agency is mandated to protect. If the Administration doesn’t begin to take the care of our parks seriously, we run the risk of squandering America’s greatest treasures.”