In recent years, America’s national parks have been facing issues with unruly visitors and vandals who disregard the rules meant to protect the plants and wildlife within the parks. This has had long-lasting impacts on the ecosystems of these parks, with changes that could have dire consequences for centuries. For example, during the 2019 government shutdown, Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California saw an increase in visitors who left graffiti and ruined trails instead of respecting the park’s desert ecosystem. Former park superintendents have expressed concern about the irreparable damage that has been done to the park for the next 200 to 300 years. Instances of extensive vehicle traffic off roads, destruction of government property, and even vandalism by tourists have been reported in various national parks.
At the Custer Gallatin National Forest, which spans from South Dakota to West Yellowstone, Montana, forest service workers have been dealing with increasing amounts of unburied human waste on popular trails and in unofficial campsites. This violates the park’s “Leave no trace” rule, which requires visitors to bury waste deep enough so that woodland creatures can’t dig it up. Park officials have been conducting cleanups and ensuring that all garbage, including human waste, is dealt with appropriately and buried at the correct depth. These efforts are necessary to protect the natural beauty and health of the parks for future generations.
Instances of vandalism have also been reported at various national parks, with trail blocks in Yosemite National Park being defaced with graffiti in 2022. In Nevada, vandals toppled natural rock formations along a Lake Mead trail at the Redstone Dunes Trail in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The Gettysburg National Park saw two separate vandalism incidents within a week in August, with boulders being defaced with graffiti on Little Round Top and the historic War Department Observation Tower being spray-painted. Park officials have worked quickly to restore these sites and ensure that visitors can continue to experience them as they were intended.
The National Park Service has been dealing with these issues through social media campaigns and enforcement efforts. They have cited tourists for vandalism and destruction of park property, such as the case of three tourists from Germany who went on a paintball shooting rampage in Joshua Tree National Park. Park rangers have been working to protect the parks and educate visitors about the importance of following rules and respecting nature. The agency has also encouraged visitors to report any instances of vandalism or destruction they witness in the parks.
It is essential for visitors to America’s national parks to respect the rules and regulations in place to protect these natural wonders. The long-lasting impacts of vandalism and disregard for park rules can have significant consequences on the ecosystems and beauty of these parks. Park officials and forest service workers are working diligently to address these issues and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife within America’s national parks. By following the principles of leaving no trace and respecting nature, visitors can help preserve these treasured landscapes for years to come.
