parks
‘L.A. at rush hour.’ ‘Disney World.’ American national parks feeling the strain this summer
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 10, 2026
· 9 min read
By Jen Rose Smith
(CNN) — A river of cars greeted Marti Pawlikowski, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, when she arrived at Zion National Park on a Road Scholar tour this spring.
“It took us 45 minutes to get through,” she said, adding that the delays didn’t stop once she entered the Utah park. “Wai...
Key takeaway “It took us 45 minutes to get through,” she said, adding that the delays didn’t stop once she entered the Utah park.
Why this matters in The El Paso
As El Pasoans consider summer travel plans, the crowds and congestion at national parks like Zion, Yellowstone, and Yosemite serve as a cautionary tale. With record-breaking visitation numbers and 250th anniversary celebrations drawing even more visitors, popular parks are experiencing unprecedented strain. For local residents looking to escape the desert heat, the prospect of waiting in long lines or fighting for parking spots may be a deterrent. However, El Paso 's own Franklin Mountains State Park and Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site offer alternative outdoor destinations with unique natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. By exploring these local gems, residents can avoid the chaos of overcrowded national parks and still experience the great outdoors, all while supporting local conservation efforts and promoting sustainable tourism in their own community.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 9 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Jen Rose Smith
(CNN) — A river of cars greeted Marti Pawlikowski, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, when she arrived at Zion National Park on a Road Scholar tour this spring.
“It took us 45 minutes to get through,” she said, adding that the delays didn’t stop once she entered the Utah park. “Wai...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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