Ecotourism Is Booming — And These 8 American Destinations Are Leading the Movement

The way Americans travel has changed in some way. It is evident in the parking lots of small-town visitor centers, where camper vans with solar panels fastened to the roof have subtly surpassed rental cars. It’s evident in the way hotel employees now bring up water refill stations before the pool. Once primarily found in scholarly publications and brochure footnotes, the term “ecotourism” has become widely used. And one of its more intriguing testing grounds is the United States, which is sometimes written off as being too car-dependent and too commercial for that kind of travel.

Alaska is still the dominant state. Over a hundred state and national parks sit inside its borders, and the Adventure Green Alaska certification has given travelers a clearer way to spot lodges and outfitters actually doing the work, not just gesturing at it. Walking through a place like Katmai gives you the impression that the size of the wilderness humbles you before you can do much harm. That might be Alaska’s secret advantage. With such a vast landscape, it is difficult to be careless.

Hawaii has a unique way of reading. Sustainability isn’t a marketing strategy; it’s ingrained in the way the locals have always perceived the islands and predates the tourism sector itself. Its lengthy affiliation with the International Ecotourism Society is less significant than its cultural significance. On the trails, you can see it in the way guides discuss the land. Residents are aware that Hawaii has been loved a bit too much, and there is both reverence and exhaustion.

The contribution from Oregon seems almost insignificant. Sulfite-free bottles, organic wineries, and Portland’s Hopworks Urban Brewery with its packed outdoor bike racks. The state simply continued doing what it had been doing and allowed the rest of the nation to catch up; it didn’t need to create ecotourism. California, on the other hand, promotes the concept more vigorously. Yosemite’s protected sprawl, Half Moon Bay’s eco-lodgings—it’s sincere, sometimes a bit too neatly branded, but the underlying dedication seems genuine.

Colorado has spent years establishing a reputation for conservation, which is evident in the little things like mountain towns changing zoning to preserve dark skies and river outfitters refusing plastic. You can see why the state consistently receives these rankings while rafting through a canyon there. Colorado appears to be holding the line for the time being, though it’s still unclear if that pace can continue as the population increases.

The more subdued inclusions come next. Travelers who would rather watch maple sap boil than wait in line for a museum have come to Vermont because of its farm-stay culture and unwavering dedication to regional food economies. Surprisingly, Florida’s Keys have strongly favored low-impact diving and reef protection, in part due to necessity and in part because the coral cannot withstand any other method. Additionally, Maine attracts a certain type of tourist who is more interested in the weather than amenities due to its untamed Acadia trails and working coastline.

There isn’t a single policy or advertising campaign that unites these locations. A brewery here, a certification program there, a van-life community refusing to fly—it’s a gradual accumulation of tiny decisions. Although the numbers vary greatly depending on who is counting, statistics indicate that ecotourism in America has grown into a substantial industry.

As this develops, it’s difficult not to believe that the change is more due to fatigue than politics. Destinations that are overrun have worn people out. Quieter rooms, beaches, and forests are what they desire. It remains to be seen if that lasts.