WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.), the Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Parks, are urging the Biden administration to provide information on the impact of increased National Park visitation on the parks, visitors, and local communities. In a letter to National Parks Service Director Charles Sams, the Senators call for a Congressional briefing on the impacts, both positive and negative, of historic numbers of National Park visitors so the committee can better address the situation. The letter comes after months of feedback the Senators have received from top NPS officials and conservation experts on concerns surrounding Americans “loving our parks to death.”

“We write to request a briefing for Senate National Parks Subcommittee members and their staff on the increase in National Park visitation and its impact to the park units, staff, and local communities,” the Senators wrote. “With the number of visitors dramatically increasing over the last ten years at top destination park units it is important that we are made aware of impact, both positive and negative, so the Committee can better address the situation and work to resolve any issues.”

“This past July, Yellowstone National Park hit a milestone by having 1 million visitors in a single month, and overall annual visitation has increased from 3,640,185 in 2010 to 4,860,242 in 2021. Acadia National Park also saw major increases from 2,504,208 to 4,069,098 over the same time period,” the Senators continues. “We should continue to encourage visitation to all of our national park units, however, as visitation increases, it is important we know the scope of what the impact is.”

“Our National Parks system is one of our nation’s greatest treasures, and as such we must be vigilant in ensuring that they continue to be available for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of this and future generations,” the Senators conclude.

In concluding their letter, the Senators ask that Director Sams present to the Senate National Parks Subcommittee a briefing that provides the following:

• An overview of park visitation trends at highly visited parks
• An overview of staffing trends at highly visited parks
• An overview of staffing morale, housing, and retention at highly visited parks
• What parks, if any, are experiencing visitation that is unmanageable by the park
• What parks, if any, are implementing new policies to adjust to visitation increases
• What the National Park Service is doing to encourage visitation at lesser visited park units, and any limitations on the National Park Service from encouraging visitation to other federal or state public recreation areas.

A member of the Energy and Natural Resources and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Senator King is among the Senate’s loudest voices advocating for public lands and encouraging outdoor recreation. He was recently awarded the inaugural National Park Foundation (NPF) “Hero” Award. Senator King helped lead the passage the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) into law; the legislation includes the Restore Our Parks Act – a bill led by Senator King – and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Permanent Funding Act. The historic legislative package continues Senator King’s career-long focus on conservation efforts, dating back to his work prior to running for elected office through his years as Governor and his service in the Senate. Over the course of his time in the Blaine House, Governor King was responsible for conserving more land across Maine than all Governors before him combined. 

The full letter can be read HERE or below.  

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Dear Director Sams,

We write to request a briefing for the Senate National Parks Subcommittee members and their staff on the increase in National Park visitation and its impact to the park units, staff, and local communities. With the number of visitors dramatically increasing over the last ten years at top destination park units, it is important that we are made aware of the impacts, both positive and negative, so the committee can better address the situation.

This past July, Yellowstone National Park hit a milestone by having 1 million visitors in a single month, and overall annual visitation has increased from 3,640,185 in 2010 to 4,860,242 in 2021. Acadia National Park also saw major increases from 2,504,208 to 4,069,098 over the same time period. As international and domestic travel begins to ramp up after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect this trend to continue. We should continue to encourage visitation to all of our national park units, however, as visitation increases, it is important we know the scope of what the impact is.

Therefore, we respectfully ask that you present to the Senate National Parks Subcommittee a briefing that provides the following:

• An overview of park visitation trends at highly visited parks
• An overview of staffing trends at highly visited parks
• An overview of staffing morale, housing, and retention at highly visited parks
• What parks, if any, are experiencing visitation that is unmanageable by the park
• What parks, if any, are implementing new policies to adjust to visitation increases
• What the National Park Service is doing to encourage visitation at lesser visited park units, and any limitations on the National Park Service from encouraging visitation to other federal or state public recreation areas.

Our National Parks system is one of our nation’s greatest treasures, and as such we must be vigilant in ensuring that they continue to be available for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of this and future generations. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely