National parks in 2026 face three significant and interconnected threats: climate change, over-tourism, and invasive species. First, climate change is causing rapid ecological shifts, such as the melting of glaciers in Glacier National Park or the increased frequency of catastrophic wildfires that destroy ancient sequoia groves. Second, over-tourism (or "loving our parks to death") leads to severe soil erosion, wildlife disturbance, and the degradation of historic structures as millions of visitors crowd into sensitive areas not designed for such high volume. This has forced many parks to implement reservation systems to survive. Finally, invasive species—introduced often by human travel—outcompete native flora and fauna, disrupting the delicate balance of the ecosystem. For example, invasive insects are killing millions of trees in the Appalachian parks, and non-native pythons have decimated small mammal populations in the Everglades. These threats require constant management and funding to ensure that these "protected" lands actually remain preserved for future generations.