National Parks System Sees Worrying Visitor Trend
As summer tourism season heats up, the U.S. National Parks system typically readies for its biggest crowds of the year, but some parks that usually see large numbers of Canadian visitors are starting to notice a worrying trend that could have a major impact this year.
Canadian interest in U.S. travel is cooling—and it’s not just about the exchange rate. A rising wave of political friction, economic uncertainty, and immigration anxiety is pushing major Canadian publications to hit pause on stories about American destinations, according to National Parks Traveler.
“Canadian visitation is down and cancellations from Canada are up,” said Mike Knetemann, director of Digital Marketing at Yellowstone National Park Lodges. The company is an arm of Xanterra Travel Collections, one of the park system’s largest concessionaires, with lodgings and shops in Grand Canyon, Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone National Parks and at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Accoridng to Knetemann, they began to notice cancellations in early February.
According to statistics from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, overall travel by Canadians to the United States was down in March, as 8.9 million people crossed the border from Canada into the U.S. compared to 9.4 million in 2024.
There are a few reasons why, and we're starting to get a clearer picture of what the impacts could be for U.S. National Parks—and the many businesses that rely on their visitors.
U.S Political Rhetoric Around Tourism
A February report by Tourism Economics projected a $22 billion loss in international tourism revenue this year, should trade tensions escalate. To top it off, comments like Senator Marco Rubio’s recent op-ed—declaring that “visiting America is not an entitlement”—haven't helped soften the tone or send vibes of hospitality.
Related: Key Route Into Popular National Park Closed Indefinitely Ahead of Summer Tourist Season
Border Tensions and a Strong Dollar
Beyond politics, many Canadians remain uneasy about crossing the border amid a continued crackdown on immigration. Combine that with a strong U.S. dollar, which makes American vacations more expensive for Canadians, and it’s easy to see why cross-border travel is lagging. As reported by National Parks Traveler, “It’s unclear whether people are actually reacting to what’s going on politically or it’s simply that the dollar’s strong,” said Lucy Beighle, communications director for Western Montana’s Glacier Country.
What This Means for U.S. Travelers
So far, U.S. travelers haven’t seen major changes yet—national parks like the Smokies, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon still draw strong domestic interest. But tourism officials warn that if international sentiment continues to decline and a recession hits, summer 2025 could see a slowdown.
“We see a trend in slightly later bookings for the spring and summer,” said Todd Walton, director of marketing and sales at Yellowstone National Park Lodges. As of mid-March, rooms were still available for the Fourth of July weekend at Yellowstone, as well as at lodges on both rims of the Grand Canyon.
The Upside
For American travelers, if National Parks are on your bucket list, now may be a good time to lock in reservations at high-demand destinations that usually attract a global crowd. With fewer international tourists booking rooms, the window for prime dates might be open a little longer—but for how long is uncertain.
Related: Free Entry to Every National Park Is Coming This Weekend