Residents did not mince their words when they saw a picture of a shocking scene at a local national park.
The image, shared in the Facebook group Tourons of the Smokies: Raw and Unfiltered, showed a long line of vehicles parked along a roadway at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.
The infuriating shot came with the caption: "The tourons are in town. The rangers and Everything Auto Towing Company could have made tons of money today."
Touron is a portmanteau of "tourist" and, well, you can probably figure out the second part. The image was captured in March, and the park straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina and is noted for its rich biodiversity. According to the United States Geological Survey, the park is home to 19,000 recorded species of plants and animals.
Cars aren't just an eyesore for locals; they're a big problem for national parks nationwide. In 2024, the National Park Service reported 331.9 million visitors, an increase of over 6 million from 2023, and many would have arrived by car.
That inevitably leads to wildlife being killed on the roads to and through the parks. For example, between 1995 and 2012, 300 black bears were struck by cars in Yosemite National Park, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.
Can't afford solar panels? Here's how to get them without paying for purchase or installation Palmetto's revolutionary LightReach program gives you all the benefits of solar power without the upfront costs. LightReach lets you lease solar panels with no money down, making it easier than ever to lock in energy savings. Palmetto assumes all risk and responsibility for the panels you lease, which means you'll get reliable performance without unforeseen costs. To get started, just answer a few basic questions about your home and learn how much you can save. Learn more → |
Vehicles can also cause problems for the local ecosystem. They can destroy plant life when drivers go off-road, while animal health and soil quality can be negatively affected by tailpipe pollution.
While some parks have moved to restrict vehicles, such as Utah's Zion National Park, one problem is a lack of infrastructure and a limited desire among lawmakers to invest the necessary funds to address the issue.
The comments primarily focused on the lack of enforcement of the parking violations. One user said: "Tow them all!"
Another asked: "What about parking passes."
TCD Picks » REI Spotlight
💡 REI's Re/Supply program makes it easy for REI Co-op members to shop and trade in high-quality used gear and apparel for massive discounts
|
Should tourists be responsible for cleaning up their own trash? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Absolutely 👏 A third expressed frustration over the lack of action: "Sad. I have yet to see a car towed or ticketed. Just warnings."
While some wondered if the recent cuts to the national parks may have been to blame, the author of the post said it was not a new problem: "It's like this every year."
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
