Camping On The Decline
You would never know it, if you are in the Smokies or Blueridge Mtns in the fall, but apparantly camping is on the decline.
”We only value what we know and what we love” says Richard Louv, author of “The Last Child in the Woods”
An article I saw by Jeff Barnard, says that visits to the national forests are off 13 percent! In the 50’s and 60’s, activities such as camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking, were second nature to most Americans. But anymore, theres so many things to distract this great bonding that can occur when camping. Gas prices, video games and internet,{ yes, Im online too] and urbanization have all taken its toll. Rising prices, fees for hiking, and noisy off road vehicles, and the declining proportion of the forest service budget for recreation only adds to the problem.
“Where is the political constituency going to come from if all these trends continue-disinvestment in facilities, lack of diversity, the disconnect between children and nature?”
Its winter now, most have stopped camping, but ..this spring..Take a Kid Camping!! You’ll be glad you did!
January 17th, 2010 at 11:18 am
I do not agree with the article, camping the past year has had an upswing, maybe visitors are down in the national parks, but state and local plus private parks are up. I recenlty camped at Smokemount, it was full, no I will say most state and private campgronds are way nicer, all have more to offer…But If you want seculusion Smokemount was great, but very different than back in the 70’s, then it was busier..
January 18th, 2010 at 11:18 am
HI Bryan,
You are correct in stating camping was actually on a upswing, I mentioned that in another post, but I was concerned about the National Parks and the decline of visitors.
I have some great memories of Smokemount, including a black bear sharing my tent. Thanks for the comment!