The US Built a Site to Ensure Fair Access to Public Lands. Then Everything Went Wrong
Recreation.gov was intended to provide fair access to public lands but has faced significant issues. The site is plagued by bots and inequality, undermining its original purpose. As a result, many users struggle to secure permits for popular outdoor activities.
- ▪Recreation.gov saw a rise in reservations from 3.5 million in 2019 to 11 million in 2024.
- ▪The site is operated by Booz Allen Hamilton, a contractor primarily known for cybersecurity.
- ▪Users face extremely low odds of securing permits, with some popular sites having success rates as low as 0.3 percent.
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Heather HansmanScienceMay 19, 2026 7:00 AMThe US Built a Site to Ensure Fair Access to Public Lands. Then Everything Went WrongRecreation.gov was supposed to make access to public lands more equitable and streamlined. Instead, it’s rife with bots and inequality, while a government contractor benefits.Illustration: Jacqui VanLiewCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyIt’s a few minutes before 8 am Mountain Time on March 16, the day that river permit cancellations are released on Recreation.gov, the federal website for public land reservations.This story was produced in partnership with RE:PUBLIC Lands Media, an independent, nonprofit news organization.
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