A national park in eastern Utah famed for its sandstone arches along the Colorado River
Over the past weeks, Yosemite National Park has faced record crowds after scrapping the seasonal vehicle reservation system. Data show long entrance backups and crowded parking, with officials defending real-time traffic management while critics warn of gridlock and safety risks.
Presidents have reshaped national monuments under the Antiquities Act, with Trump reducing Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, while Biden has restored size and created new monuments, including sites tied to civil rights and Indigenous history. The debate centers on balancing conservation, tribal co-stewardship, and resource development.