Parks and trail traffic spike

U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Underrated Travel Destinations” ranking lists the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve among 21 sites and highlights the park’s 876‑foot New River Gorge Bridge and Appalachian coal‑town history. (travel.usnews.com) West Virginia’s governor held a press event at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center to mark the recognition, with the governor’s office describing the designation as part of the state’s tourism “comeback” and linking it to statewide promotion efforts. (governor.wv.gov) Local outfitters timed operations to the season: ACE Adventure Resort announced the 2026 whitewater rafting season would kick off March 31, 2026, and said reservations for spring trips were open. (wvpress.org) The National Park Service reports that 2025 was Death Valley’s fourth‑highest visitation year and notes extended closures after flash flooding scoured roads and closed attractions such as Artist’s Palette. (nps.gov) Industry reporting on U.S. travel shows a 2026 hotel “boom,” with Travel and Tour World describing unprecedented hotel occupancy across California, Florida and other major markets and noting higher room rates and increased spending on tours and attractions. (travelandtourworld.com) Travel outlets and operators link the two trends: hotels and city events are driving more overnight stays that travel writers say spill into nearby outdoor experiences, while outfitters like ACE report spring bookings timed to that demand. (travelandtourworld.com)