The Digital Trail: How Social Media is Boosting National Park Visitation

Visitors taking a Selfie ~ NPS

In an era where social media has become integral to daily life, its influence extends far beyond virtual interactions, impacting real-world behaviors and trends. One notable area experiencing this digital influence is national park visitation. A recent study highlighted in Men's Journal reveals that social media significantly drives increased visitation to national parks.

The Digital Hike: Social Media’s Role

Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are no longer just for sharing selfies or keeping up with friends; they have become powerful tools for discovering new destinations and inspiring travel. Stunning images and engaging videos showcasing the natural beauty of national parks are widely shared, enticing viewers to experience these wonders firsthand.

The study underscores that posts featuring picturesque landscapes, wildlife encounters, and adventurous activities substantially impact people's travel choices. These visually captivating posts often go viral, reaching millions and sparking a desire to visit these locations.

Numbers Don’t Lie: The Surge in Park Visits

The study provides compelling statistics to support the claim that social media drives the surge in park visits. It notes that parks featured prominently on social media platforms have seen a noticeable uptick in visitor numbers. For instance, locations like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon frequently appear in social media feeds, correlating with increased visitation rates.

Pros and Cons: Balancing Benefits and Challenges

While the boost in park visitation is beneficial for promoting outdoor activities and nature appreciation, it also presents several challenges. Increased foot traffic can lead to environmental degradation, overuse of trails, and strain on park resources. National parks are grappling with maintaining the delicate balance between welcoming visitors and preserving the natural habitats they protect.

Influencers and Park Promotion

Influencers play a crucial role in this dynamic. Their adventures and endorsements can significantly amplify interest in specific parks. However, this influence is a double-edged sword. Responsible promotion, including educating followers about sustainable practices and respect for nature, is essential to mitigate the negative impacts of increased visitation.

Sustainable Solutions: Navigating the Future

To address these challenges, park authorities and social media influencers are increasingly collaborating on initiatives to promote sustainable tourism. Efforts include:

Educational Campaigns: Raising awareness about preserving natural environments and encouraging responsible behavior among visitors.

Visitor Management: Implementing strategies such as timed entry systems and visitor caps during peak seasons to manage the flow of tourists.

Infrastructure Improvements: Enhancing trails, facilities, and resources to accommodate the growing number of visitors without compromising the parks' ecological integrity.

Conclusion: A Digital Path Forward

The intersection of social media and national park visitation is a testament to digital platforms' profound impact on real-world experiences. While the increased interest in exploring natural landscapes is a positive trend, thoughtful management is required to preserve these treasured environments for future generations.

As we continue to share the beauty of our national parks through social media, it’s imperative that we also promote and practice sustainability. By doing so, we can enjoy the wonders of nature while ensuring they remain pristine and accessible for all who seek the serenity and adventure they offer.

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Meet Sean Smith, the master of conservation, adventure, and storytelling! This award-winning conservationist and former National Park Ranger has trekked through the wilderness of Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades, keeping nature safe with his trusty ranger hat and boots. But Sean's talents don't stop there. He's a TEDx speaker and even a private pilot, soaring through the skies like a bald eagle on a mission.

But amidst all these adventures, Sean's heart beats for storytelling. He's been spinning tales since childhood, and now he writes thrilling national park novels that'll have you hooked from the first page. Imagine the drama and mystery of the mountains combined with the adrenaline of a rollercoaster ride. That's what you'll find in Sean's books, set against the majestic backdrop of Yellowstone, Gettysburg, and Mount Rainier. His most recent thriller is set in Glacier and will drop later this year.

So, if you're craving an escape into the wild, look no further. Grab a copy of Sean's novels and prepare for an unforgettable adventure. These stories will transport you to the heart of the national parks, where danger lurks and heroes rise. Don't miss out! Find all his captivating novels right here and at the included QR code. 

National Park Talk: Interview with Park Ranger Kevin Bacher

On today’s episode of National Park Talk, we talk with Kevin Bacher, park ranger and volunteer program manager at Mount Rainier National Park.  Kevin tells us about how he came to love national parks, where he's worked for the park system, why it’s important to protect parks, and where they might be going in the future.  To listen to the interview, please click here.

Enjoy!

To learn more about how you can volunteer at Mount Rainier National Park please click here.  To find volunteer opportunities at other national parks, please visit here.

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Sean Smith is an award winning conservationist and author. He is a former National Park Ranger at Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades. He is a TEDx speaker, and private pilot. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1989 with a degree in Political Science. He got his master's in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University in 1996. He currently runs Washington State's efforts to reduce and eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products and serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of Covington Washington.
He has been writing stories and books since he was a child and currently writes national park thrillers from the shadow of Mount Rainier.

All his novels can be found here: Mr. Sean D Smith

Top National Park Stories of 2018

Twenty Eighteen was an interesting year for national parks and public lands.  The year saw massive fires, resignations and restructurings, massive visitation, death, idiots, and two government shutdowns.

10. Government Shutdown. No we are not talking about our current shutdown.  It's hard to believe but a year ago at this time, the government was also shutdown, closing parks and public lands. Parks like the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell were completely closed, while other parks like Yellowstone were semi-open.
  
9. Advisory Panel Members Resign  The past year saw politics significantly impact park management.  In January 10 of the 12 members of the federally charged National Parks Advisory Board resigned in protest. Former Alaska Governor Tony Knowles, Board Chair wrote the president in protest stating the committee members "have stood by waiting for the chance to meet and continue the partnership . . . as prescribed by law."  Knowles went on writing "We understand the complexity of transition but our requests to engage have been ignored and the matters on which we wanted to brief the new Department team are clearly not part of its agenda."

8. Record Visitation The National Park System saw nearly record breaking visitation in 2017 with 330,882,751 visitors.  This number was nearly identical to 2016 numbers and show that American's love affair with their national parks continues.

7. Park Leadership Restructured Along with advisory panel members resigning, several high profile park officials were reassigned causing some to tender their resignation.  Several park experts speculate Trump Administration officials were trying to remove park leaders that would oppose the the president's attempts to loosen restrictions on hunting, access, and resource extraction.

6. Summer of Fire Fires across the country burned millions of acres this past year.  National Parks were not immune from these infernos including Yosemite and Glacier.  Meanwhile, Santa Monica Mountains national recreation area saw nearly 80 percent of its landmass consumed by fire this past year.

5. Grizzly Bears back under federal protection  A federal judge threw out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's plan to delist Yellowstone bears and permit Grizzly bear hunts in Idaho and Wyoming. The judge questioned the FWS' Grizzly bear population estimates stating the rejected plan limited the federal government's used of best available science.

4. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park reopens Hawaii Volcanoes closed in May after initial eruptions from Kilauea volcano.  These were followed over the next several months by several earthquakes and continued eruptions which cause significant damage to park roads and trails.

3. Death and missing hikers The national park system appeared to see a rash of deaths and people going missing this past year. The death toll included a couple who plunged to their death while taking a selfie on top of Yosemites' half dome. Meanwhile Yellowstone seemed to see the lion's share of visiting idiots who taunted bison,  walked on Grand Prismatic, and looked into Old Faithful.

2. Zinke Resigns Amid scandal and investigation the two year tenure of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke came to an end. According to the Washington Post "During his tenure, Zinke came under at least 15 investigations, including: inquiries into his connection to a real estate deal involving a company that Interior regulates; whether he bent government rules to allow his wife to ride in government vehicles; and allowing a security detail to travel with him on a vacation to Turkey at considerable taxpayer cost."

1. Government Shutdown Take 2 In a case of bad deja vu, the federal government and national parks closed for the second time in twelve months.  However, several parks remain open to the public despite a lack of staff and closed facilities.  This has lead to a rash of vandalism, trash, trespassing, and other and human waste.

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Sean Smith is an award winning conservationist and author. He is a former National Park Ranger at Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades. He is a TEDx speaker, and private pilot. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1989 with a degree in Political Science. He got his master's in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University in 1996. He currently runs Washington State's efforts to reduce and eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products and serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of Covington.

He has been writing stories and books since he was a child and currently writes national park thrillers from the shadow of Mount Rainier.

All his novels can be found here: Mr. Sean D Smith

Top Stories of the National Parks for 2017

Twenty seventeen came to an end last week.  Many history making and world changing events from Donald Trump's taking of the oval office to the mass killings in Las Vegas took place. America's national parks were caught up in many of these history making events as well, here are the top national park stories from 2017.

National Park Service told to stop Tweeting
The day after Trump's inauguration, the National Park Service tweeter account put out a tweet seeming to contradict the President's claim that his inauguration enjoyed the largest crowds ever.  The National Park Service (NPS) twitter site sent a message that compared images of Obama's crowd vs. those for Trump's.  The obvious conclusion from the images was that the president was over exaggerating at best and lying at worst. The NPS site was shut down for several days.  As a result several alternative tweeter sites including one for the NPS, as well as the EPA, NASA, and Forest Service popped up to counter the new gag orders.

Trump proposes to raise Park entrance fees
The National Park Service proposes at nearly two dozen sites to more than double the entrance fees.  The agency claims the additional revenue will help with park improvements. Others fear, the higher costs will make traveling to national parks unaffordable for many.

Trump orders the reduction of several National Monuments
Following a review of less than a year, President Trump ordered the largest reduction of national monuments in American history. Specifically, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase National Monuments were both cut by 1 million acres.  These cuts were made despite overwhelming public support for maintaining them as were.  The final decision will likely be rendered by the courts.

Park Visitation continues to Break Records
It wasn't all bad new in 2017.  The National Park Service reported early last year that 2016 saw record breaking numbers.  In fact, nearly 331 million people visited the national park system during its centennial year.  Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Blue Ridge Parkway, Smoky Mountains National Park, George Washington Memorial Parkway, and Gateway National Recreation Area rounding out the top five visited park sites.  Twenty seventeen saw similar visitation numbers and experts expect this past year to be a record breaker as well.

Solar Eclipse Casts Shadow Across Several National Parks
On August 21, a total solar eclipse passed across the entirety of the continental United States. This was the first total eclipse visible from the US in 38 years.  The 2017 eclipse passed over 21 national park units from Oregon to South Carolina.  Millions of people traveled to be in the path of totality.  Another total eclipse won't be visible again in the United States until April of 2024.

Huge Fires Scorched the West
Twenty Seventeen made history for other reasons besides astronomical phenomenon.  Huge wildfires ripped across the west this past year as well.  Infernos torched thousands of acres in Yosemite and Great Smokey's National Parks. Meanwhile, at Montana's Glacier National Park, wildfire destroyed the historic backcountry Sperry Chalet.

That's it.  Did we miss anything?  Let us know in the comments.

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Sean Smith is an award winning conservationist and author. He is a former National Park Ranger at Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades. He is a TEDx speaker, and private pilot. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1989 with a degree in Political Science. He got his master's in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University in 1996. He currently runs Washington State's efforts to reduce and eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products and serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of Covington.

He has been writing stories and books since he was a child and currently writes national park thrillers from the shadow of Mount Rainier.

All his novels can be found here: Mr. Sean D Smith

To the President: Set the Parks on the Correct Path

With the completion of the major political parties presidential campaigns, the country now heads to the homestretch in its election of commander-in-chief. As such, its never to early to get National Parks on the incoming president's agenda. Below is an open letter to the next President of the United States.

To the President:

Congratulations on your recent victory and becoming America's 45th chief executive.  The next four or possibly eight years will likely be quite challenging.  Managing the economy, foreign and domestic affairs, energy matters, and many more matters will place great demands upon your time. However, I write today to make sure that National Parks stay on the radar during your administration.

To some, National Parks aren't on the same level of importance as other issues like the economy or energy production.  However, I believe National Parks are equally important as these is
sues. National Parks are more than pretty places or dusty old buildings, rather they are the physical manifestation of all American's value and hold sacred. 

Americans today inherited the National Parks from our ancestors who set aside their short-term desires and wants so that we could enjoy parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite.  We can never repay our ancestors for this gift, however we can pay it forward to the next generation. In other words, we can leave the National Parks and the National Park System in better shape than what we were given.

To do this, I recommend the following things:

1. Fund the Parks
The National Parks are an incredible bargain. Congress allocates a little more than $3 billion to run the park system. For that amount, which is about half of what the United States spends on a single nuclear aircraft carrier, the American public gets more than 400 sites that preserve and protect some of America's most sacred ideas, hopes and places. It's an incredible bargain.

What's more, research shows that every dollar the country spends on national parks, it returns $4 to the national economy.  That's a great return on investment. 

The past several administrations have rightly recognized the value and importance of national parks and reflected this in a growing national park allocation. I encourage you to continue this trend.

2. Establish New Parks
Over the past several years, the Obama Administration has used the Antiquities Act to create 10 new National Park System monuments including Castle Mountains, Waco Mammoth, and Fort Monroe.  I encourage you to continue this trend as well.  However, the trend the past several years has been to add historical monuments to the park system, while adding monuments dedicated to protecting the environment to other agencies such as the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The Park Service has a stronger conservation mandate than these other agencies and placing them in under other agencies reduces natural resources protection. I'd encourage you to reverse this trend.

3. Define and Enforce Appropriate Recreation
The National Park Service often argues that it has a duel mission that it must balance recreation with preservation. Yet, this is incorrect. The Organic Act of 1916 establishes for the  National Park Service a single mission which is to provide enjoyment of the national parks in such a way that will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. The law does preclude what we understand as modern recreation, nor does it mandate it however. Rather, the law clearly states the Park Service is only to allow those form of enjoyment that leave the resources unimpaired. Surprisingly, the Park Service has yet to complete neither a system wide recreation review nor even a single park review. There is no way for the NPS to know if its recreation is impairing the resources without this review. As President, I encourage you to conduct these reviews.

4. Get control of Visitation
National Parks are quite popular. In fact, 2015 set an all time visitation record at more than 305 million visitors. This smashed last year's record by more than 15 million! These incredible visitation numbers clearly show that the national parks are well loved, however the parks may soon become loved to death. Some are even calling upon the National Park Service to establish park carrying capacities.  In fact, Congress ordered the Park Service more than 40 years ago to come up with these capacities, yet the NPS has failed to do so.

Rather than recognize visitation limits, the Park Service has over the past several years actively promoted the national parks with programs like Find your Park. These programs have been so successful, pushing visitation to all time records.

It's time to recognize that national parks have limits on their ability to absorb visitors.

5. Recommit the Service to its Mission
Twenty Sixteen marks the 100th birthday of the national park system. It is a time to celebrate and look back upon the Park System's achievements the last century. However, it also provides an opportunity to look forward to set the tone for the Park System's next century. I'd encourage you to set the tone for the next 100 years by achieving the following before the end of your first term: fully fund the parks, establish new parks, define and enforce appropriate recreation, and establish need visitation controls. 

Doing these simple tasks will set the parks on a trajectory which will best insure they reach their bicentennial.


Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers

Biggest National Park Stories of 2015



Old Faithful Geyser and spectators,
Yellowstone National Park, Acroterion |

This past year was big for national parks and national park system including the establishment of new park units, record visitation, and huge wildfires.  Here in no particular order, are the top national park stories of 2015.

1. New National Parks: The creation of new national park units was a top priority for the President this past year. Along with Pullman Historic Neighborhood, Browns Canyon, and the Honouliuli Internment Camp site, the federal government also created Manhattan Project National Historic Park. These parks preserve some of our most threatened landscapes, protect former slave housing, tell of the story of the world's entering the atomic age, and help us never forget the internment of some of our fellow Americans.  National Parks preserve and protect not only what we hold dear, but also some of our are hardest lessons.

2. Record Visitation: The national park system saw a record number of people coming through the park entrances. As of the start of this month, the national park service had welcomed more than 272 million people and was on pace to see more than 300 million people for the first time in its history. These numbers are up nearly 4 percent from last year. The park service broke visitation numbers despite a shaky economic recovery, terrorism threats, and the belief that they are no longer relevant. The public seemed to vote with their feet this year, that not only are parks relevant, they are more loved than ever.

3. Huge Fires: Another number that was up this year was the cost of fighting wildfires. The federal government spent more than $1.7 billion fighting fires across the country this past year. This is up more than $100 million from 2014.  Fires raged throughout much of the country including large fires in Montana, Alaska, Washington, and California. Sadly, 2015 was a deadly fire season seeing seven firefighters killed battling the blazes. Congress is responding to the crisis by proposing additional federal resources  to fight these monster blazes.

4. Politics: Like any other aspect of our lives, the national parks are no refuge from political fights and squabbles. This year, the battles over the confederate flags spilled over into our national heritage. Debates over how to correctly portray civil war history including Confederate efforts were hotly debated. Confederate memorials and Statues were removed across the south. The effort reached a crescendo with the removal of the confederate battle flag from the South Carolina state house grounds. The park service also struggled with how best to convey Civil War history, without being seen as promoting or making light of the South's complicity in the promulgation of Slavery. In response, the Park Service ordered the removal of confederate flag merchandise from its gift stores. It's likely the debate over the South's role in the civil war will continue. The flag flap is a reminder that national parks are often on the front lines on how America represents, honors, and tells its story. The park service will likely be called repeatedly to provide leadership on many socially and politically controversial issues.

5. Centennial: The national park system will turn 100 years old next year. As such, the park service is rightly making plans to celebrate the milestone. As well as, 16 free days, the park service is planning countless events, specials, parties, and celebrations to mark the centennial.

Yellowstone is the worlds first national park, and Americans can be rightly proud of the national park system they have created since then.  Park thrillers is looking forward to the next hundred and can't wait to see what's in store for our national parks.

Okay, that's our list of the top National Park Stories for 2015. What did we get right? What did we miss? Tell us in the comment section. Also, please check out the national park thrillers Unleashing Colter's Hell and Lost Cause, two of Amazon's top selling political/terrorism thrillers.

Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers