12 Beautiful Places in the US Overwhelmed by Overtourism

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Everyone wants to go to that beach that was ranked the best in the world. Or that city that has been labeled a “must-visit.” Or maybe the resort town your favorite influencer was recently vacationing at. Well, we understand some of these destinations are literal slices of paradise on Earth. However, with everyone heading out there, it only results in overtourism.

The destinations facing overtourism are grappling with problems such as locals’ inability to afford housing or to find housing at all, pollution, constant traffic jams, and hiked living prices. And even for you as a tourist, having to battle crowds just to enjoy your destination is not an experience you want to have.

One thing you can do to help mitigate the effects of overtourism is to visit during the low season or maybe find alternative destinations. Here are some of the destinations in the United States struggling with overtourism that you may want to think twice about before booking that trip.

Miami, Florida

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With sun, sea, beaches, stunning architecture, and a rich cultural heritage, it is easy to see why everyone keeps going to Miami. Miami is a haven for sunseekers, thanks to its pleasant weather, which features mild winters and hot summers.

Miami is one of the most expensive cities, with an average rent of 37% higher than the national average. This can partly be attributed to the high housing demand caused by overtourism.

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The city welcomes an average of 4 million tourists, who positively impact its economy but also strain its natural resources. We get it—the beaches, art scene, and weather can be irresistible, but you may want to consider alternatives to Miami.

Zion National Park, Utah

The unique geology of Zion National Park is an absolute stunner. The park features some of the tallest sandstone monoliths in the world, exceptional backcountry hiking trails, the peaceful Virgin River, glistening emerald pools, and unique wildlife. Zion is a dream for photographers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Unfortunately, Zion is one of the handful of US national parks grappling with mass tourism. According to Statista, the park welcomed 4.62 million unique visitors in 2023, double the figures compared to pre-pandemic.

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Huge crowds at the park’s famous spots like Angels Landing, overworked park staff, trash problems, and the rise of search and rescue incidents are some of Zion National Park’s issues in its efforts to conserve the park’s beauty. Bradybaugh, Zion National Park’s superintendent, suggests that tourists consider other lesser-visited national parks to help them preserve Zion National Park’s ecosystems.

New York City, New York

The Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty are among the world’s most famous landmarks. With such landmarks, it is apparent why New York City, the most visited city in the country, is struggling with mass tourism and its effects.

Unfortunately, due to the high demand for housing to sustain the vast tourism industry, New York City housing has become ridiculously expensive even for locals.

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Besides, traveling to New York City is not as thrilling as it used to be due to the large crowds. According to the New York Times, Times Square hosts over 300,000 visitors daily. It is now more of a claustrophobic nightmare than the attractive spot it used to be. In addition, Central Park is reportedly being “trampled to death” by overtourism.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

If you have never been to the Grand Canyon, you cannot claim to have explored the best of the United States’ natural wonders. The Grand Canyon welcomed 4.74 million visitors in 2023, making it the second most visited park in the country. Some go for the scenic hiking trails and refreshing scenery, some for whitewater rafting on the canyon’s rapids, and many others for helicopter rides over the canyon.

Whatever way you choose to explore the Grand Canyon, the experience will always be memorable. Unfortunately, too much tourism has been negatively impacting the delicate geology of the canyon. The canyon’s environmental consequences include light pollution, littering, noise pollution, and increased erosion of the gorges.

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If an influx of tourism and denaturing of the park’s environment continues, future generations may not experience the same geological marvel that the Grand Canyon is today.

Hawaii

Lush landscapes, stunning beaches, lively cities, and vibrant culture – Hawaii is a destination that has something for every tourist. Honeymooners, beach lovers, hikers, water sport enthusiasts, and sunseekers flock to different Hawaii destinations all year round. Unfortunately, this paradise’s popularity has only resulted in overtourism.

The entire Hawaiian Islands are struggling with mass tourism. For instance, Waikiki Beach in Honolulu and Magic Sands Beach in Kailua-Kona have been ranked as some of the most crowded beaches in the United States by Florida Panhandle. While they are stunning beaches, it is definitely a disappointment to visit your favorite beach only to find unmanageable crowds.

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The large crowds have also resulted in longer queues, increased pollution, less authentic experiences, and higher service prices.

Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, welcoming approximately 13.3 million visitors annually. Called the Great Smoky Mountains due to its ever-foggy environment, this park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers. It is renowned for its diverse plant and animal life, stunning fall foliage, and beautiful mountain ranges.

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While the park has the capacity to accommodate a large number of tourists, irresponsible tourism has been a significant factor in its deteriorating condition. The park has recently been battling problems such as plastic trash, air pollution from the vehicles that visit, humans trampling on vegetation, and soil erosion.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier National Park is another US national park overwhelmed by tourism. This park is a stunning showcase of alpine meadows, melting glaciers, spectacular lakes, and vast alpine meadows. The park is also home to over 700 miles of hiking trails, all steeped in scenery and human history. It is truly a haven for hikers and nature explorers.

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The park has consistently welcomed approximately 3 million visitors over the last few years. Doug Mitchell, the executive director of Glacier National Park, reveals that they are struggling with efforts to welcome visitors, conserve the park’s nature, and make the experience enjoyable and educative for everyone at the same time. Doug further reveals that the melting glaciers, which may be gone soon, are the primary reason everyone is rushing to Glacier National Park.

Orlando, Florida

It is estimated that tourism accounts for an astonishing 41% of all jobs in the Orlando Area. That alone tells you how big of an industry tourism is in Orlando.

Orlando, the “Theme Park Capital of the World,” is home to renowned theme parks like Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando. It is apparent why the city welcomed 74 million visitors in 2023, which is still lower than the pre-pandemic figures.

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With the high influx of tourism, Orlando has seen a rise in real estate property value, overcrowding, and strain on local resources such as water, electricity, and transportation.

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite National Park is known for its stunning waterfalls, vast wilderness area, and ancient grand sequoias. The park’s pristineness attracts 20,100 visitors every day during peak season. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the park’s spokesman, Scott Gediman, revealed that the real struggle was cars, not people. Gediman disclosed that they welcome approximately 7,000 vehicles daily during peak season when the park’s parking space can only accommodate 1200.

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Traffic jams and huge crowds damage not only the experience of visiting Yosemite in summer but also the park’s rich ecosystem.

Las Vegas, Nevada

The tourism industry in Las Vegas is growing faster than the city can sustain. In 2023, Las Vegas hosted over 41 million tourists, something that has brought immense strain on the ultimate party city in the US.

Although tourism is one of the largest industries in Las Vegas, there has been a lot of backlash from locals who want it to be regulated to manageable levels. Locals blame Vegas’s lack of affordable housing on the massive tourism industry, especially due to the prevalence of Airbnb rentals.

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Las Vegas was also ranked among the US’s most “tourist-hating” cities. Considering how overtourism affects the lives of locals in Las Vegas, it becomes debatable whether the “tourist hate” is justifiable.

Los Angeles, California

According to the LA City government, tourist crowds seeking to take selfies with the Hollywood Sign often end up blocking residential streets and driveways, crossing over private lawns, and disturbing the tranquility of local neighborhoods.

The experience on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is also not as ecstatic as before. With massive crowds, tourists are now leaving the city’s most beloved tourist spots disappointed.

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Forbes found that Los Angeles is one of the cities with a significant housing problem attributed to the Airbnb effect.

San Francisco, California

Everyone wants to experience one of the best architectural marvels of our time, The Golden Gate Bridge. Whether you are into architecture, history, or chasing landmarks, San Francisco has something for you to marvel at.

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San Francisco welcomed 23.1 million visitors in 2023, a steady rise since 2020. San Francisco is also one of the cities facing the biggest homelessness problem in the US and has sharply increasing crime rates, all of which are partly due to the inflated tourism industry.

Seattle, Washington

One of the cities severely affected by cruise ship tourism is Seattle. Cruise ships docking at the city’s ports come with so many visitors, which unfortunately results in the mass exodus of locals. The locals who choose to stay have to face large crowds in markets, public spaces, and transportation. Housing is also a significant issue, as many property owners decide to list their houses on Airbnb rather than take in permanent tenants. A Harvard Business Review research found that the rent and property value increase as Airbnb listings in a city increase.

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The experience of exploring the Space Needle and the iconic Seattle Art Museum is no longer the same.