As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary this summer, national parks are seeing record numbers of visitors eager to enjoy the natural beauty and peace of the great outdoors. However, popular destinations like Yellowstone and Yosemite are facing challenges such as overcrowding, noise, long lines, packed parking lots, and crowded viewpoints. These issues are not new, according to Michael Childers, an associate professor at Colorado State University. In his book, The Mountains Are Calling: Tourists and the Unmaking of Yosemite National Park, Childers explores how tourism has shaped and, in some cases, harmed America’s most iconic natural spaces. He discussed these insights in an episode of CSU's The Audit podcast. Childers notes that concerns about the impact of tourism on national parks date back to the 1850s, when the first tourists visited Yosemite. "We've been visiting Yosemite in basically the same way since 1855," he said. "And we've been concerned about the implications and the impacts of tourism since that first group in 1855." According to the National Park Service, more than 323 million visits were recorded across over 400 national parks in 2025, with July and August being the busiest months. Over the years, the concerns have evolved—from worries about tree-cutting for better views in the 1860s to modern issues like insufficient camping spots, parking challenges, and effects on wildlife and water quality. Yosemite National Park is one of the most visible examples of the overcrowding problem. Recently, the park ended its reservation system, which had helped manage visitor numbers during peak times. This year, Yosemite has already seen an additional 100,000 visitors compared to previous years, leading to long waits to enter the park, parking lots filling by 7:30 a.m., and chaotic scenes at popular viewpoints. To avoid these stressful conditions, Childers suggests exploring some of the lesser-known national parks, such as Hovenweep or historic sites like the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Site in Topeka. Budget cuts have also placed strain on the National Park Service, leaving staff stretched thin. In Colorado alone, more than a quarter of public lands employees were lost last year due to cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency. "The DOGE cuts really impacted the National Park Service more than a lot of other things," Childers said. He urged visitors to help by picking up litter and staying within designated areas. He also emphasized the importance of planning ahead, managing expectations about perfect photo opportunities, and being prepared for crowded conditions. "You're maybe not going to have that Ansel Adams moment," he said. "But when you do, treasure it."