When envisioning national parks, one often thinks of majestic forests, pristine white sand dunes, or snowy mountain peaks—but have you considered smog? Although these protected areas aim to conserve nature’s splendor across various stunning locations throughout the U.S., they aren’t immune to environmental contamination. A study revealed that even these picturesque sites can be affected by pollutants pervasive elsewhere.
National Parks Conservation Association
The analysis focusing on air quality and the effects of climate change revealed that among all national parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Mojave National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park face some of the most severe pollution problems. These remarkable parks are mostly situated within California, with one exception being Carlsbad Caverns National Park which is found outside this state.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in New Mexico, faces problems related to high ozone levels, particularly during the warmest days of summer. This contamination arises partly because of nearby oil extraction activities and can pose health risks both to visitors and natural habitats within the park. Other parks mentioned are situated in California. Despite being some of Earth’s most stunning locations, these areas grapple with similar environmental challenges affecting the entire state, including emissions from metropolitan zones, industrial operations, wildfire smoke, and agricultural practices. Although California might experience more intense difficulties, it isn’t isolated; according to data provided by the National Parks Conservation Association, 97% of U.S. national parks struggle with air quality concerns.
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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are technically a pair of parks, but considering that they are neighbors, it’s unsurprising that they are equally polluted. According to the National Parks Conservation Association study from 2024, these two parks are tied for the worst air quality of any park in the United States. These two extremely popular parks are home to ancient sequoia trees, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, and breathtaking rugged landscapes. Unfortunately, visitors may find their views obscured by haze and their hikes made far more difficult by dangerous pollutants in the air. If you’re hoping to get the best possible views, avoid visiting in the hot summer months and once you’re inside the park, head up. At higher elevations, the air is cleaner. You can also keep an eye on the National Park Service’s health advisories page to see if the day you’re planning to visit will have unhealthy levels of air pollution.
The problems faced by these two national parks predominantly stem from climate-related calamities, their proximity to significant thoroughfares, and contaminants originating from the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite retaining their remarkable allure, air pollution poses dual threats: it harms the ecosystem and diminishes visibility—a key attraction for tourists. At times, smog can cut down visible distances by over 65%. Beyond visual impairment, poor air quality in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks likely contributes to the demise of millions of trees locally and fosters an invasion of non-native species along with hazardous algal proliferation.
Mojave National Preserve
Far into the Californian desert,
Mojave National Preserve is a remarkable landscape of wind-carved dunes, singing sand, and solitude
Unfortunately, despite appearances, this captivating location isn’t entirely free from human influence. Even though it may look barren and unwelcoming, the desert hosts a dynamic ecological system, which faces growing threats from adjacent urban areas and industrial activities, endangering the flora and fauna within the protected zone.
While the views along the Kelso Dunes Trail remain unbeatable, there is definitely decreased visibility in the park at times due to air pollution. At its worst, the pollution here can also pose health risks to visitors to the park. If you happen to be visiting on a day when the air quality is especially poor, you may want to consider heading to the northern part of the preserve, which is usually not as heavily impacted by pollution from the San Joaquin Valley and the Los Angeles Basin. Try driving along Kelbaker Road to see Joshua trees, lava flows, cinder cones, and in the springtime, many wildflowers.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park has some of the best sunset views in the world
and, as an International Dark Sky Park, ranks amongst
the top U.S. national parks ideal for observing stars
Given its renowned clarity and brilliance, it might be surprising to learn that Joshua Tree National Park faces significant air quality issues which frequently impair visibility. This challenge is exacerbated by the park’s closeness to densely populated regions such as the Los Angeles Basin and Coachella Valley. Although the night skies at the park continue to dazzle visitors, the reality is that air quality often deteriorates to hazardous levels for human health. These airborne particulates not only affect what we see but also contaminate the soil, leading to environments less conducive to indigenous flora. Consequently, these native plants become increasingly vulnerable to being overrun by non-native species.
The amount of haze obstructing visibility at Joshua Tree National Park fluctuates daily and can sometimes reach severe levels. Ground-level ozone may also cause illness among visitors, posing particular risks for those with asthma or specific cardiac issues. For updated information on health warnings related to this area, consult the National Park Service’s advisory webpage which includes notices specifically for Joshua Tree. It’s advisable to review these alerts prior to embarking on hikes within the park. Additionally, you might want to stop by the visitor center upon arrival to obtain current updates about air quality. When scheduling your visit, consider avoiding peak summer months as increased heat contributes to greater formation of ozone.
Yosemite National Park
People come from all over the world to see the towering mountains and mighty giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park, but if you come at the wrong time, your views could be hampered by air pollution. If you’re hoping for the best views and the least polluted air, you will probably want to choose a spring canyon hike.
During the spring season, you can hike near spectacular waterfalls without encountering many people.
, you also won’t be breathing in the pollutants that often pervade the park in the summer and fall.
Similar to other national parks in California, urban centers and industrial activities pose significant challenges. However, within Yosemite, one of the most pressing concerns regarding clear air could very well be from wildfires. Although forest fires form an integral part of the ecosystem here, they still create problems for those who visit the park due to their resulting smoke.
If your trip coincides with wildfire activity, consider staying indoors during peak periods of dense smoke and use an N95 mask whenever venturing outdoors becomes necessary. Keep track of the National Park Service’s health advisory updates as conditions improve over time. When possible, plan outdoor excursions at hours when pollution levels tend to drop slightly. Additionally, opt for locations at higher elevations rather than low-lying regions like basins and valleys which can trap smoky air more readily.
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