Chaotic Campground Near National Park Sparks Outrage: "Tow Them All"

When residents laid eyes on an image depicting a startling sight at a nearby national park, they didn’t hold back with their frank comments.

The picture, posted in the Facebook group Tourons of the Smokies : Untouched and Candid, depicted an extensive row of cars stationary alongside a road. Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.

The infuriating shot arrived with the description: "The tourists have arrived. Both the park rangers and Everything Auto Towing Company stood to make considerable profits today."

Touron combines "tourist" with, you know, the obvious second word. This photograph was taken in March, and the park lies between Tennessee and North Carolina borders, known for its rich biodiversity As per the United States Geological Survey, this area within the park serves as an habitat. 19,000 recorded species of plants and animals.

Cars aren't merely an annoyance for residents; they also act as big problem For national parks across the country, in 2024, the National Park Service announced 331.9 million visitors , an addition of more than 6 million compared to 2023, with numerous individuals likely having traveled by automobile.

This inevitably results in wildlife being killed on roads leading to and through the parks. As an illustration, between 1995 and 2012, 300 black bears were hit by vehicles in Yosemite National Park, as reported by the park authorities. National Parks Conservation Association .

Tune in now: Giant snails taking over New York City?

Cars can lead to issues within the nearby environment as well. When individuals drive outside designated paths, vegetation may get damaged. Additionally, the emissions from vehicle exhausts can harm wildlife health and degrade soil conditions.

Some parks have shifted to restrict vehicles , like Utah's Zion National Park, one issue is a lack of infrastructure There is also a restricted willingness amongst legislators to allocate the required finances to tackle this problem.

The comments primarily focused on the lack of enforcement of the parking violations. One user said: "Tow them all!"

Another query was: "What about parking passes?"

Are visitors obligated to clean up after themselves and dispose of their waste properly? Absolutely In most cases It varies depending on the location. No, they shouldn't Tap your selection to view outcomes and share your thoughts.

One-third voiced disappointment with the absence of enforcement: "Disheartening. So far, not a single car has been towed or issued a ticket; only warnings have been given."

As some questioned whether the recent cuts While the littering at the national parks might be responsible, the poster indicated that this wasn’t an emerging issue: “This happens annually.”

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Photo of chaotic campground near national park sparks outrage online: 'Tow them all' first appeared on The Cool Down .