Outdoor recreation is well on its way to another record-breaking year. By 2022, U.S. National Parks will: 300 million visits – and that means more people using the roads and trails.

Studies show that spending time outdoors Good for physical and mental health, long lines and traffic jams can make the experience less enjoyable.Congestion makes it difficult for park staff to respond protect wildlife and fragile land and respond to emergencies.To manage the crowdand some parks are conducting experiments. Timed admission vehicle reservation system Permits for popular trails are also available.

Despite their popularity, national parks are only part of the public land of the United States. Throughout the United States, the federal government owns: 640 million acres (2.6 million square kilometers) of land. Depending on the mission of each site, its uses include logging, livestock grazing, mining, oil and gas production, wildlife habitat or recreation, often several of these simultaneously. . In contrast, national parks simply exist for a purpose. protect some of the most important places for public enjoyment.

of my job As a historian and researcher, I have explored the history of public land management and the role of national parks in shaping the landscape of the Americas. Many public lands are major recreational areas and are becoming increasingly crowded. Visitors, gateway communities, state agencies and the outdoor industry need to work together to find solutions.

National park alternatives

The United States government is by far the largest land manager in our country.supplemented by federal property 28% of surface area Across 50 states. In western states like Nevada, the federal government can cover as much as 80% of the country’s land mass. The main reason is that much of this land is dry and lack of water makes agriculture difficult. Other mountain and woodland areas were not considered valuable when they first came into U.S. possession, but their values ​​have changed.

public land is more diverse than national parks. Some are scenic, some are beautiful. Others are just open spaces. These include all kinds of ecosystems, from forests to grasslands, coastlines, red rock canyons, deserts, and sagebrush-covered mountain ranges. Also includes battlefields, rivers, trails and monuments. Many are in remote areas, but others are near or within metropolitan areas.

Many people who love hiking, fishing, backpacking, and other outdoor activities find national parks to be overcrowded and often seek out other places to enjoy nature, including public lands. That trend has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdowns and social distancing pushing people out as much as possible.

The increase in remote work is also Population transition Towards a small western town with access to open spaces and good internet access for video conferencing. Popular remote work hubs such as Durango, Colorado and Bend, Oregon have come to be known as .zoom town– A fresh take on the old boom town that took people west in the 19th century.

These new population growths are forcing gateway communities near popular public lands to make important decisions. Outdoor recreation is a powerful economic engine. In 2021, Donating an estimated US$454 billion It contributes more to the country’s economy than automobile manufacturing and air transportation combined.

However, embracing recreational tourism can lead local communities to: amenity trap – The contradiction of loving a place to death. If the recreational economy fails to manage growth or fails to invest in areas such as housing and infrastructure, it risks undermining the sense of place that attracts visitors. But with planning, you can proactively shape growth to maintain the character and quality of life of your community.

broaden the range of recreation

People use public lands for a variety of activities besides quiet hikes in the forest. For example, the Phoenix District of the Federal Bureau of Land Management, at least in central Arizona, where he operates more than 3 million acres. 14 recreational useshiking, fishing, boating, shooting, collecting stones, driving off-road vehicles, and more.

Not all of these activities are compatible, and many of which have traditionally not been tightly controlled. For example, shooters may bring in objects such as old appliances or furniture to use as improvised targets, leaving an unsightly mess. In contrast, the Phoenix area designated recreational shooting range A place that provides targets and warns against firing at objects containing glass or hazardous materials. cactus.

Skiing can also pose congestion challenges. Many downhill ski facilities in the West operate on public land with a permit from the governing agency (usually the US Forest Service).

As an example, Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is a non-profit ski area located 26 miles from Boise, Idaho. Demand spikes on winter weekends when fresh powder falls, resulting in long lift lines and crowded slopes.

The mountains are open 12 hours a day, and in the Bogus Basin creative pricing Buy lift tickets to spread the crowds. For example, we collect young skiers at discounted prices for night skiing, and we collect retired skiers on weekdays. As a result, the parking lot was filled only once during the 2022-2023 season.

Local governments can help find ways to balance access and creative crowd management.King County is established in Seattle trail head direct Provides transit-to-trail service from Seattle to the Cascade Mountains. This approach will increase outdoor access for city dwellers and reduce congestion on busy Interstate 90 and trailhead parking lots.

Other towns partner with federal land authorities to maintain trail systems. ridge to river Non-Boise Networks and River Reach Trail Near Farmington, New Mexico. This will help the town provide residents with better outdoor opportunities nearby and attract new businesses whose employees value quality of life. Create a corridor from “”From the backyard to the backyard,” said the Bureau of Land Management, helping build vibrant communities.

A less extractive view of public lands

For many years, Western societies viewed public lands as places for mining, logging and grazing sheep and cattle. Tensions between states and the federal government over federal land policy often reflect state resentment over decisions in Washington, DC regarding local resources.

Today, land managers are at a turning point. While federal control is never welcomed in some areas, Western societies increasingly see federal land as a source of convenience and immense opportunity. Recreation and economic growth. For example, Idaho is invested $100 million Reflecting federal government efforts, it aims to maintain and expand access to national lands.

As environmental law scholar Robert Keiter points out, the United States has many laws that regulate activities such as logging, mining and energy development on public lands. Little legal guidance on recreation. Instead, government agencies, courts and the president are slowly crafting what Keiter calls “a common law on outdoor recreation.” By addressing the environmental impacts of congestion and recreation, I believe we can help local communities better manage America’s magnificent public lands.

Emily WakildCecil D. Andrus Professor of Environment and Public Land Endowment, Boise State University

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