Is Climate Change Impacting National Parks?

On a smoky June day, Jessie Haffener, a guide from Wildland Trekking, was leading a backpacking expedition in Yosemite National Park when she noticed smoke rising from the canyon rim near Glacier Point. Upon arriving, she discovered flames erupting from a smoldering campfire. Acting swiftly, she called over her fellow guide and the guests, but the fire rapidly grew to the size of a small garage. The team of 12 hikers—including two teens on their inaugural backpacking adventure—scurried back and forth to the nearest creek, half a mile away and 200 feet down, carrying heavy bear canisters filled with water to extinguish the flames.

Years of reduced snowpack and rising temperatures have led to longer, more frequent, and more intense wildfires in Yosemite. If Haffener had overlooked the smoke, this combination of factors (wind, dry soil, and leftover embers) could have resulted in another blaze. While the American West has been particularly hard-hit by climate change, Yosemite isn’t the only national park facing challenges: a recent report from the National Park Conservation Association (NPCA) indicates that climate change is a significant concern for 80 percent of U.S. parks.

This shouldn’t discourage you from planning a national park getaway, advises Ulla Reeves, director of the NPCA's Clean Air Program, but thorough preparation is crucial. “There are numerous online resources to help us plan ahead,” she notes. The most thorough resource is the National Park Service’s website, which provides updates on trail and road closures, weather changes, and other potential hazards by park. During your visit, you can utilize apps like AllTrails for recent trail updates and Goes Health, a wilderness medicine app that offers the UV index and air quality information. Additionally, don’t hesitate to call a park’s ranger station before or during your trip for specific inquiries.

Each park requires a customized approach due to its distinct climate and terrain, but overall, planning is essential. If you're hiking in wildfire-prone regions, familiarize yourself with the map to identify evacuation routes in case of an emergency. David Quinlan, operations manager for Wildland Trekking in the Pacific Northwest, suggests considering two key questions before setting off: First, is the air quality safe for strenuous activities? Second, are there any active fires that might affect your route? In other parks, like the Grand Canyon, extreme heat poses an increasing risk. (There, heat-related illnesses are expected to rise by up to 137 percent by 2100.) Once-reliable springs are drying up due to the ongoing drought in the West, making water sources less dependable. Stay updated on forecasts, wear sun-protective clothing, and carry more water than you think you'll need.

Staying aware of your environment is also vital. Iconic sites like El Capitan in Yosemite and Chaos Canyon in Rocky Mountain National Park are facing increased rockfall incidents, as rapid temperature fluctuations cause water between rocks to freeze and melt rapidly, destabilizing them. Other parks are witnessing more frequent tree falls due to dying trees and deteriorating soil structures from drought. Always check above before pitching your tent, advises Quinlan, to avoid setting up under dead trees or branches.

In the last three years, Quinlan has observed a rise in occurrences like rockfall, flooding, and landslides that can obliterate roads. “This has a significant impact on our trips,” he explains. Last year, they had to cancel a remote trek over Whatcom Pass in North Cascades National Park due to a devastating wildfire that left many downed trees blocking the trail. Each season, his team revises its strategies to prioritize guest safety. Wildland Trekking has mapped evacuation routes for all hiking paths and established air quality standards. Staff are on call 24/7 to keep guides informed about current conditions.

As climate-related threats to our national parks escalate, the National Park Service is diligently working to understand, adapt, and mitigate these risks through its climate change response program. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act allocated crucial funding to the NPS for climate resilience initiatives, while organizations like the NPCA focus on climate-related research and advocacy. “We have the right tools at our disposal,” says Reeves. “When people express their concern and passion, stay engaged with these issues, and urge their leaders to advocate for our national parks—that’s what gives me hope.”