I read a similar article on cnn.com, but this one seemed to blame videogames...
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/02/05/nature.interest.ap/index.html
I agree with you about the "mixed feelings"....it's nice for solitude if there aren't crazy crowds there, but if less people go to these Parks and fall in love with them, then there won't be as much passion for future conservation efforts.
And yes, those "ugly resort complexes" are obscene....I still don't know how they got a golf course in Death Valley.
