4 ms·

“No more cars in national parks. Let the people walk. Or ride horses, bicycles, mules, wild pigs--anything--but keep the automobiles and the motorcycles and all

“No more cars in national parks. Let the people walk. Or ride horses, bicycles, mules, wild pigs--anything--but keep the automobiles and the motorcycles and all their motorized relatives out. We have agreed not to drive our automobiles into cathedrals, concert halls, art museums, legislative assemblies, private bedrooms and the other sanctums of our culture; we should treat our national parks with the same deference, for they, too, are holy places. An increasingly pagan and hedonistic people (thank God!), we are learning finally that the forests and mountains and desert canyons are holier than our churches. Therefore let us behave accordingly.” ― Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire

benj111 7y ago
"wild pigs" I get the point that's trying to be made here, but pigs are just about one of the most destructive animals there are. I'm pretty certain that people in cars are less destructive than people riding wild pigs. Although a large proportion of people attempting to ride wild pigs are likely to end up dead, so maybe the author did have a good point afterall.
bluntfang 7y ago
i like the sentiment, but national parks should strive to be as accessible as possible. If you want to be away from society, there is so much more backcountry land where you can get what you need instead of complaining.
DavidAdams 7y ago
They banned cars in Zion National Park about ten years ago, and it was a good idea. Arches could definitely do the same, but the problem with the Moab area isn't so much overcrowding of the parks as it is overcrowding of the town, because one small town serves as the launch pad for so many surrounding areas. In this case, the solution is to try to develop other areas and spread the tourists out to other towns, many of which are desperate for economic development and tourist dollars.

benj111 7y ago

"wild pigs" I get the point that's trying to be made here, but pigs are just about one of the most destructive animals there are. I'm pretty certain that people in cars are less destructive than people riding wild pigs. Although a large proportion of people attempting to ride wild pigs are likely to end up dead, so maybe the author did have a good point afterall.

bluntfang 7y ago

i like the sentiment, but national parks should strive to be as accessible as possible. If you want to be away from society, there is so much more backcountry land where you can get what you need instead of complaining.

DavidAdams 7y ago

They banned cars in Zion National Park about ten years ago, and it was a good idea. Arches could definitely do the same, but the problem with the Moab area isn't so much overcrowding of the parks as it is overcrowding of the town, because one small town serves as the launch pad for so many surrounding areas. In this case, the solution is to try to develop other areas and spread the tourists out to other towns, many of which are desperate for economic development and tourist dollars.