US National Park breaks attendance records: what is unusual about it

Visits to Zion Park surpassed 5 million for the first time in 2021, according to fresh data released by the National Park Service. KSL.

Photo: Shutterstock

Agency information shows that Zion is the fourth national park to ever achieve this by joining the national parks Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite.

National Park Zion was also the second most visited park in the National Park Service system last year with a final count of 5 visitors. Back in October, it broke its previous park attendance record of over 039 million visitors, set in 835.

It is one of four Utah national parks that broke visitor records last year. Everything but the national park Bryce Canyon, set records in this category, and the five parks together drew a record 11,3 million visitors in 2021. The final figure is 45% more than in 2020, when visitor numbers declined as a result of COVID-19 and travel restrictions.

This is also about 7% more than the record 10,6 million set in 2019.

However, data from the National Park Service shows that records Zion and the Utahs aren't the only ones. It seems that interest in national parks is growing everywhere.

Growing Interest in National Parks

The park service has more than just national parks on its books; its data includes national monuments, national recreation areas, and more. Most of these places attract more visitors than national parks.

For example, Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina led all types of park areas managed by the service in terms of attendance. In 2021, almost 16 million people visited it. national recreation area Golden Gate in California, 13,2 million people visited.

National Recreation Area glen canyon, which includes Lake Powell in Utah, welcomed more than 3 million visitors last year, up from 2,5 million the previous year. This is still significantly lower than before the pandemic, although drought in the West and historically low reservoir levels affecting boat launches may be another factor in the decline in attendance.

Among the national parks, only the National Park Great smoky mountains the Tennessee-North Carolina border saw more visitors last year than Zion . Great smoky mountains, which receives the title of the most visited annually, attracted a record 14,1 million visitors last year, beating its old record of 12,5 million set in 2019.

Zion jumped Yellowstone National Park in total attendance to come in second — and first in the West — beating America's first park by more than 180 people in December. However, 000 million people visited Yellowstone last year, surpassing the previous record of 4,86 million set in 4,2.

National Park Grand Canyon in Arizona and National Park Rocky Mountain Colorado rounded out the top five with 4,5 million and 4,4 million visitors, respectively.

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Neither was a record high, but both parks approached pre-pandemic levels in 2021, although the final visitor total Grand Canyon still about 1,4 million less than what was recorded in 2019. national park Rocky Mountain attracted more than 900 visitors last July, returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Of the remaining parks in the top 10, four others broke attendance records last year: National Park Acadia in Maine (4 million), National Park Grand Teton in Wyoming (3,8 million), National Park Indiana Dunes in Indiana (3,1 million) and National Park Joshua Tree in California (3 million people). The exception was Yosemite in California (3,2 million), which has struggled to return to pre-pandemic attendance levels.

Solving the problem of growth

The sudden rise in visits throughout the system was met with mixed reactions and consequences. On the one hand, national parks were created so that people could enjoy their splendor; on the other hand, many of the parks that are now breaking records lack the resources to cope with the influx of people.

Pitt Grew, director of the Utah Wildlife Recreation Authority, said last month that this is a positive sign that people have a desire to visit national parks. But fearful that people are draining resources and damaging parks, he added that it is important for parks to plan for possible new norms.

“We know the benefits of walking in the fresh air and a little physical exercise. They benefit physical and mental development, so it's nice to see people doing it, he said. “Now the steps that need to be taken are proper planning to be able to coordinate this.”

That's why the Utah Tourism Authority even moved from its "Mighty Fives" campaign advertising Utah's national parks to its "Forever Mighty" campaign, which aims to educate visitors about proper national park etiquette.

The agency is investing efforts to prevent vandalism of land in parks - and highlights other impressive recreational areas such as national monuments or state parks.

That is why the National Park Arches is testing a scheduled ticketing system that should come into effect during peak visiting season this year, i.e. late spring and summer months. The first tickets went on sale in January.

The idea is not to limit the number of visitors to the park, but to evenly distribute them so that they do not overcrowd the park. In December, park officials said the program mirrored systems in national parks. Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Yosemite .

Zion Forever Project

In the case of Zion, the company is testing a new permit system for people wishing to climb to the top of one of its most iconic elevations, Angels Landing. The park is also working with various agencies, including the Utah Outdoor Recreation Authority, to build a new visitor center and new walking and biking trails near its less-used east entrance to draw visitors to other parts of the park.

This project is ongoing. In October, the first 16-km cycling section opened. Mark Preuss, director of the Zion Forever Project, the official non-profit partner of Zion National Park, said the trail's second phase of construction is due to begin this spring, adding about 40km of new mountain biking trail.

The Bureau of Land Management is currently completing 60 km of hiking trails south of State Route 9.

The opening of the new visitor center is expected to take place this year, though no official date has yet been set, said Zachary Almaguer, a spokesman for the Zion Forever Project. Once all projects are completed, it is hoped that people visiting the national park will not all go to the same places at the park's main entrance in Springdale.

“We understand the pressure that Zion's main canyon faces; we don’t expect it to magically disappear,” Almaguer said. “It’s important that we look for solutions inside the park as well as outside it.”

“The ability to effectively distribute visitors throughout the park and share with them the many things available at Zion is critical to Zion's conservation efforts,” he added.

Alluring Zion

Landscape Zion are layers of rainbow-colored rocks carved into sharp peaks, high plateaus and deep, winding canyons. This place is so beautiful that you will never forget the silence of its sandstone cathedrals, the light reflecting off the slot canyons, the rushing river and the architect of its cliffs and canyons.

Everyone should visit Zion at least once in their lives to walk its trails, wade through the waters of the canyon and watch the deer graze in the open meadows. Named by the first settler Isaac Behunin in 1863, Zion remains true to its name - the Promised Land and a place of refuge.

Here are a few reasons why this is such a special place.

1. Thrilling driving experience through scenic locations

The 10km scenic drive north through the heart of the national park is one of the most exciting road trips in Utah. Sandstone skyscrapers, including Great White Throne and Temple of Sinawava, rise above the seething Virgin river.

Zion-Mt. carmel highway (Utah 9) descends 600 m from the East Entrance to the Visitor Center, passing through a 2 km long tunnel. On these roads, magnificent scenery awaits you throughout the route. Use the free shuttle to the park to explore the canyon as the road is closed to traffic most of the year.

2. Iconic hiking trails: hikes from easy to difficult

The best way to see ZionFill a bottle with water, put on your boots and hit the road. In the park you will find many options - from simple to complex. For an easy walk, take the Canyon Overlook, Weeping Rock, and Riverside Walk trails. Hardy Hikers Climb the Famous But Dangerous Trail Angel's Landing or head to the lookout for the best views while hikers follow the trails East Rim and West Rimto find wildlife, solitude and hidden wonders.

3. The world's best canyon walks

Zion known as one of the best places in the world for canyon walking. The national park invites adventurers to descend into fantastic water gaps and river-filled canyons. The hikes range from strenuous wading to technical challenges with swimming and abseiling.

Beginners can hire an experienced Springdale guide to navigate the park's canyons safely, while experienced athletes can explore outlying crevasses with a special permit. great canyons Zion include the famous Subway, Zion Narrows, Mystery Canyon, Pine Creek, Orderville Canyon, and Keyhole Canyon.

4. desert waterfalls

Waterfalls Zion, fueled by winter snowmelt and heavy thunderstorms, offer a refreshing respite from the summer heat. The sound of falling water in the desert promises cool spray and an oasis of ferns and flowers. many waterfalls Zion are short-lived, so plan to visit during the rainy season in July and August or early spring.

A couple of the best waterfalls are springs in Weeping Rock, three waterfalls in Lower Emerald Pools and immersion in Upper Emerald Pools. Other popular spots include the waterfall Pine Creek Falls, Archangel Falls, and Mystery Canyon Falls in the gorge. Be careful if it's raining as flash flooding can occur, be careful with slippery rocks under the falls and never stand on top of the falls.

5. Climbing Big Walls

Canyon Zion, surrounded by high sandstone cliffs, is a famous place for rock climbing. Here are some of the highest sandstone walls in the world. Climbers come to explore rocks such as Angel's Landing, Temple of Sinawava, Red Arch Mountain, and Touchstone Walland also try shorter climbing routes along the base of the cliffs.

6. Exploring the wild

National Park Zion - place plant and animal habitats, including pine forests, steep riverbanks, and barren slippery cliffs. V Zion There are more than 1000 plant species that support a wide variety of animals. The park is a birdwatching haven with 291 species, including peregrine falcons and the endangered California condor. Bring binoculars to see some of the 78 species of mammals. Watch the rocky slopes where mule deer graze. At night, look for the elusive ring-tailed cats and kangaroo rats along the campground trails.

7. Remote canyons of Kolob

Tucked away in the northwest corner of the national park, the Kolob Canyons offer a glimpse into the wild heart Zion where you can feel seclusion next to proud cliffs and a small number of visitors. Kolob is a wonderland of sheer canyons and sandstone peaks, slot canyons, tumbling waterfalls, miles of trails and Kolob Arch 800 meters long, the second longest natural arch in the world.

Canyons Colob located an hour from the canyon Zion , and it's the place to go on wild adventures. Take a walk along the trail Taylor Canyon Trail to Double Arch Alcove or follow the path La Verkin Creek Trailto get to country campsites, Kolob Arch, and Beartrap Canyon.

8. bike park

Biking is one of the best ways to see the canyon Zion , especially during busy months when the shuttle takes visitors to the canyon. Zion one of the few national parks that encourages cycling, avoids crowded buses and enjoys stunning scenery without looking out the window.

Bring your own bike or rent one in Springdale.

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If mountain biking is your thing, head west from the park for miles of top-notch singletrack at Gooseberry Mesa.

9. Great Restaurants and Lodging in Springdale

Despite the harsh landscape Zion, it's easy to find civilization by heading to Springdale, an old Wild West town on the park's southwestern border. If you do not want to stay in one of the spacious campsites Zion, book Springdale accommodations at a wide variety of hotels, lodges and bed and breakfasts.

Springdale offers a variety of restaurants for hungry backpackers, most of which border Zion Park Boulevard, the main street of the city. Popular favorites are Barefoot Taqueria, Oscar's Café, Spotted Dog Café, Bit & Spur Restaurant and Café Soleil. Stop at the Zion Canyon Brewery Pub on the edge of the park for chilled local beers and snacks.

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