Overtourism has become a larger problem throughout our state’s beloved national parks. It’s not uncommon to see packed trails and campsites as well as littering. This is the reality of outdoor recreation in Utah, and it is quietly destroying the landscapes we claim to love.
The “Mighty Five” national parks of Utah are Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands. Over the past decade, visitation has increased within all five national parks. Social media has turned these desert ecosystems into trends. As a result, Utah’s national parks have become overcrowded tourist destinations.
The damage is real and measurable. Repeated foot traffic compacts the soil and harms vegetation. This can widen trails far beyond their intended boundaries. When visitors leave the marked path for photos they can form “social trails” that spread damage across a larger area. Litter can contaminate local water sources that wildlife and communities rely on. Once this damage sets in, it can take decades to fully recover — if at all.
Some progress has been made to repair these landscapes. Zion National Park has established a shuttle system to help manage traffic. They have also implemented timed entry permits to several heavily visited sites. These steps are meaningful but they are not enough.
Permit systems are inconsistently enforced and countless trailheads outside the national park remain unmanaged and vulnerable.
The solution requires action on multiple fronts. Land managers and lawmakers must expand permit systems, while tourism boards and retailers should implement “Leave No Trace” education. Communities should invest in infrastructure that limits environmental pressure. Most importantly, we must shift from chasing viral destinations and instead value less crowded alternatives.
Utah’s landscapes are limited. Protecting them requires intentional choices about how we visit and appreciate these spaces.
Savannah Ransom
Salt Lake City