ATOP ONE OF the highest peaks in the eastern United States sits a picturesque example of what America's national parks could be-if only the government hadn't effectively outlawed commerce within their boundaries.
This is LeConte Lodge, built in 1926 and accessible only by a series of hiking trails that wind up the side of 6,500foot Mt. LeConte. The Tennessee lodge exists only because it was grandfathered in when the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park were drawn in 1934. Farmers, logging companies, and other property owners in the area were given the boot. Thankfully, the lodge was allowed to stay.
Nearly a century later, it's time for the federal government to recognize private investment need not be at odds with the goal of protecting nature for future generations. Ending the National Park Service (NPS) will mean more facilities like LeConte Lodge can thriveand entice more Americans to experience the most beautiful parts of the country in new ways.
This story is from the December 2024 edition of Reason magazine.
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This story is from the December 2024 edition of Reason magazine.
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