[Xeoncross]

I wonder how many National Parks will exist for exploration by my grandchildren or great grandchildren. I've already seen so many trails, rivers, or "attractions" closed because some entitled guest (or guests) decided they were allowed to do ____.

The end result is a restriction on all visitors. Eventually, I fear the only way to enjoy the old caves, or wind-swept dunes or delicate back country will be to have money, a study grant or connections. Everyone else will only be allowed to the ends of the railed cement path.

[gonzo41]

There's another alternative. Those attractions will get cut off from casual visits. I watched a documentary on Yellowstone where it explained most people don't go more than 5 miles from the roads at most, and most of the park is largely untouched. You'll just end up with parks where the very coolest attractions take a lot more effort to get to and consequently, the foolish people who do silly things will either not go, because it requires planning, or perish along the way because nature doesn't suffer fools.

[jcranmer]

Probably most of them; it's more the case that a few of the National Parks are just too overcrowded--Shenandoah and Yosemite probably the worst of the lot. Although some of the National Parks do have issues that aren't related to overvisitation (Hawaii Volcanoes and Everglades both come to mind).

[bombcar]

That's basically it - someone bandied about a statistic that visitors to National Parks on average don't get more than 50 yards from their car.

So if you want to see natural beauty, be willing to rough it a bit and go were people don't.

Of course, the most popular places are considered the most "beautiful" but that's not entirely true - and the popular places you can watch documentaries on.

[QuarterReptile]

It's funny to mention Shenandoah. My experience is maybe 10 years old at this point, but I don't think I've ever been to a less crowded national park.

[derwiki]

You should check out Canyonlands sometime!

[thwarted]

Tragedy of the Commons Ruins Everything Around Me.

[Two4]

Ah yes, TotCREAM, my favourite Wu Tang jam

[Xeoncross]

I feel like I've seen this in the photography world as well. People don't know how to mute their loud fake cellphone camera sound or they are using the little led flash from 200 ft away which does nothing but interrupt. Even worse are people wondering around with cellphones and tablets getting into the way.

Eventually people have enough and ban all photos at venues or animal exhibits.

[lisper]

Unless we start doing something radical about climate change damn soon, national parks are going to be the least of your grandchildren's worries.