Soundscapes

Many people come to national parks seeking peace and quiet. Visitors enjoy replacing the sounds of modern civilization with the gentler sounds of nature. The cascading melody of a canyon wren singing. The soft crunch of hiking on sand. The rustling sound of a breeze blowing through palm trees. The faint babble of water at a spring-fed oasis. Natural soundscapes are composed of the collective sounds of nature. They are something that we value and try to protect from the intrusion of excessive human-generated noise. Natural soundscapes are valuable to our visitors, the wildlife, and the character of the park’s wilderness. We implement policy and work with community partners to protect natural soundscapes and invite visitors to help in this effort.

 

A hiker enjoying the sounds of nature in Joshua Tree

NPS / Brad Sutton

Connecting with Nature

The quiet spaces and sounds of nature influence the visitor experience. They have a powerful effect on our emotions, memories, and mental health. They tune people into the natural world and create a sense of wonder and awe of nature’s ingenuity. They clear people’s minds from an increasingly digital world and produce feelings of calm and relaxation. As one of our five senses, sound is important to helping us experience the world.

 

Verdin

Danner Bradshaw

Animal Talk

The absence of human-made noises is vital to wildlife too. Bats use echolocation to locate insects to eat. Rattlesnakes will use their rattles to warn predators or a passerby. Birds will sing to attract mates, announce the presence of a predator, and defend their nesting grounds. Many mammals will produce sounds to establish territory, communicate and socialize with one another, and provide warning calls to protect their young. Scientific research has shown that excessive noise can negatively impact animal species’ ability to survive and reproduce.

 

A hiker enjoying the wilderness in the Coxcomb Mountains

Carmelina Boccella

The Sound of Silence

Nearly 85 percent of Joshua Tree is designated wilderness. By law, wilderness areas are set aside to remain natural, undeveloped, and “untrammeled” by humans. They are preserved to maintain their ecological, cultural, historical, scientific, educational, and recreational values. A key component of retaining wilderness character is solitude. Wilderness areas are free from roads, buildings, and structures. In essence, they are designed to be predominately filled with the sounds of the natural world.

 

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Excessive human-made sound can disrupt the natural soundscape, disturb wildlife, and negatively affect the visitor experience. The National Park Service monitors and assesses soundscape quality in the park, especially in wilderness areas. We strive to reduce non-natural and excessive noise impact in and around the park. To do so, we coordinate with nearby communities, organizations, and federal, state, and local agencies to find cooperative solutions.

 

I Like Nature. How Can I Help?

 

NPS / Brad Sutton

• Find a nice spot and take a moment to enjoy the quiet and soothing sounds of nature.
• Leave portable speakers and music devices at home. Do not use these while hiking or camping.
• Turn off your car alarm when visiting. Check your owner’s manual for how to do this.
• Turn off vehicle engines when stopped at overlooks or roadside pullouts. Idling vehicles create unnecessary noise and smog.
• Ride motorcycles respectfully in parks. Avoid excessive acceleration and don’t rev the engine.
• Turn down your car stereo.
• Use your indoor voice when hiking, sightseeing, or camping.
• Be considerate of campground quiet hours.

Together, we can make a more enjoyable experience for all. Learn more about soundscapes in national parks.