Visitations to National Parks are surging as restrictions wane and people seek out safe, socially distanced activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers seeking strategies to mitigate the congestion are pointing to parks like Acadia National Park in Maine, which piloted a ticketed reservation system for its most popular attraction, Cadillac Mountain, after years of rising visitation numbers.
Changes like timed entry systems may be difficult adjustments for some, but the park staff insists these changes will ensure national parks are preserved for enjoyment by generations to come.