Of 4,000 Americans surveyed, nearly three-quarters (74%) oppose the closure of national public lands, and nearly as many (71%) oppose selling public lands to the highest bidder, according to a national poll from Trust for Public Land and conducted by YouGov.
As public lands experience record-breaking use from people enjoying all kinds of outdoor recreation, delivering economic value to communities across the country, a new report from the Trust for Public Land makes an urgent case: “America Needs More Public Lands, Not Less.” The report outlines how public lands are not only a cherished national resource, but a driver of economic growth, community health, and unity.
“We are living in a golden age of outdoor recreation,” said TPL President and CEO Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser. “Americans love public lands. People want greater protection of existing lands, and they are eager for more opportunities to explore and connect to new landscapes.”
The report comes amid mass layoffs at land agencies and shifts in federal policy resulting in reduced access to public lands—measures that run counter to both the data and the demonstrated public will. Few issues enjoy such broad, bipartisan support across age groups, income levels, and regions as the protection of our national parks and public lands. Proposals to sell or transfer these lands counter both hard data and public opinion.
“Public lands are our great national unifier,” said Lucas St. Clair, chair of TPL’s national board of directors. “They support our physical and mental health. They power local economies through outdoor recreation. And they remind us that shared spaces can still unite a divided nation.”
Some of the key findings from the report include:
- Record Visitation, Strained Infrastructure: National Parks welcomed more than 330 million visitors in 2024, more than the top 10 built tourist attractions combined. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported 45 million visits to national wildlife refuges in 2012. Last year, that figure had jumped to 70 million visits. In 2024, wildlife refuges hosted 42 million birding excursions, 2.6 million hunting expeditions, and 8.6 million fishing visits. Similarly, visitation to Bureau of Land Management properties increased by 46% since 2006. But with these record levels of interest in our public lands, across the country, outdoor users encounter crowded trailheads, degraded paths, and overburdened facilities—signs that current lands can’t keep pace with public demand.
- Economic Impact: Outdoor recreation supports a $1.2 trillion economy and sustains 5 million jobs, powering local businesses and gateway communities across the nation. Last year alone, Americans spent more than $1.5 billion on winter sports equipment and $2.1 billion on camping gear. Spending on hunting and fishing gear reached an impressive $8.4 billion, with an additional $1.6 billion spent on water-sports equipment. Research from Trust for Public Land shows that investments in conservation deliver strong economic returns. In Vermont, for example, every dollar invested in conservation generates $11 in economic benefit, while in Maine the return is as high as $15 for every dollar spent.
- Widespread Support: TPL’s national polling survey and other national polling show nearly three out of every four Americans oppose the closure of public lands, national parks, and monuments. In recent years, landmark bipartisan legislation, including the Great American Outdoors Act and the EXPLORE Act, have reinforced the shared value of public lands. These initiatives ensured funding for conservation and improved access for underserved communities. Yet current proposals to reduce federal land ownership risk undoing this progress.
The report concludes that now, more than ever, we need more public land, not less. From new national forests to expanded wildlife refuges, the findings highlight overwhelming support for protecting nature and ensuring access for all.