Why Are Young Adults Shunning The National Parks? {Gadling}

Jun 8th 2012 11:54AM We have to be careful about how we look at this issue. At Joshua Tree National Park, a recent visitor survey showed that 14% of park visitors were 21-30 in age. U.S. Census data shows that this age group makes up 13.8% of the U.S. population. While Yellowstone may be only getting 6% of its visitors from this age group, we have to remember Yellowstone is remote from nearly all U.S. urban populations so it's harder, and more costly, to get to than many parks. I do think that Laura and Renee have hit the nail on the head. National parks have historically been a middle class phenomenon. When American feel economically secure they travel, often to the national parks. Young adults are less economically established, especially in this economy, and so a visit to a national park may be a luxury for them. Gas was 69¢ a gallon when I was in my 20s so a visit to a park is a bigger investment today for a young person. Young people enjoy parks just as much as anyone; getting them there today is the real challenge. There are other factors at play here, but time and money are perhaps the biggest reasons why young people are visiting parks less frequently.