NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC • June 5, 2020
Summer is here, and that means millions of people nervous about flying in the age of coronavirus will likely hit the road in a car. As America’s national parks and forests start to reopen, many vacationers are looking to stretch their legs out on the trails. In ordinary times, a surge of hikers would be a boon for the picturesque gateway towns near these popular outdoor destinations. But during a pandemic, locals whose livelihoods are largely built on seasonal tourism are forced to reconsider the cost-benefit ratio of welcoming out-of-towners searching for that perfect waterfall picture or alpine vista. North Conway, NH, is a prime example of a backcountry recreation village.