I.

Introduction

The activity that I am most interested in is outdoor recreation, specifically recreation with

the National Park Service, or NPS, in the United States. NPS was created in 1916 and has grown

since then to operate over four hundred sites across the country, including parks, historical

monuments, scenic roads, and battlefields. These protected areas have hosted over fourteen

billion visitors since their creation and that number grows exponentially every year (U.S.

National Park Service, 2020).

II. Socio-Economic Background

Most National Parks visitors are middle to upper-middle class, disproportionately so

when compared to the general United States population. Even more misrepresented than the

higher-income group is the lowest-income group, making up 24% of the United States

population but only 6% of National Parks visitors (Vaske & Lyon, 2014). Many, if not most, of

the sites operated by NPS require an entrance fee and additional fees for activities like camping

and fishing. While these fees are important in generating revenue for the parks, they may

dissuade those with lower incomes from visiting. The low visitation rates among poorer families

can also be attributed to the high travel costs associated with National Parks (Vaske & Lyon,

2014).

III. Physical Conditions

As mentioned before, NPS operates several hundred important sites, many characterized

by their unique landmarks, both natural and historical. While most parks are open year-round,

many are considered seasonal, especially those farther north, hosting few visitors in the winter

due to road closures and heavy snow. The more prevalent and troubling conditions affecting

National Parks, though, come from climate change. Parks in the southwest region of the United
States have experienced record high temperatures and extreme droughts in the last few decades,

and Glacier National Park in Montana has lost most of its characteristic glaciers due to melting

(Howard, 2014).

IV. Cultural and Demographic Features

The creation of NPS was inspired by the Industrial Revolution and the need for open

spaces and natural land as cities were growing rapidly. Many Americans, specifically wealthier

white Americans, wished to escape from their increasingly diverse communities and find refuge

in the outdoors. The widespread segregation that existed in the United States at the time

prevented many racial minorities from visiting National Parks, and the consequences of this are

still seen today (Ebbs & Dwyer, 2020). Research shows that the overwhelming majority, 95%, of

National Parks visitors are white, but only 72% of the United States population. Among racial

minorities, Black Americans are especially under-represented in National Parks, making up 13%

of the United States population, but less than 1% of visitors (Vaske & Lyon, 2014).

V. Governance and Political Climate

NPS is an agency of the United States federal government, operated under the

Department of the Interior. The park system is separated into seven different regions across the

country, and at the top is a Director who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the

Senate (U.S. National Park Service, 2020). There are several non-profit organizations that

contribute to NPS funding and preservation efforts, and many park operations like food,

beverage, and lodging services are contracted out to private companies called concessionaires.

VI. Trends in the Future

One of the most immediate threats to the future of NPS is climate change. As stated

before, many parks across the country are already facing severe weather challenges, and without
proper intervention, they will only become more widespread. Researchers predict that the

consequences of climate change will bring an overwhelming loss of wildlife and scenery in many

parks, and that rising sea levels and storms will cause damage and even destruction to historical

monuments on the east coast (Howard, 2014). Another threat facing NPS and its future is the

decline of youth interest in outdoor recreation. The technological advances of the last few

decades have caused many younger Americans to spend less time in nature and more time

indoors. This not only affects visitation but also staffing, as younger generations who have fewer

experiences with nature are less likely to pursue professions in the conservation field (Vaske &

Lyon, 2014).