A common complaint on social media is that photo sharing apps like Instagram directly lead to the ruination of outdoor destinations by encouraging crowds of people to visit. It’s a popular sentiment, but is it really true? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we interview a pair of researchers behind an Oregon State University study that suggests the reality is much more complex. While Instagram posts may be responsible for some of the increasing crowds, there are many other factors at play. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: How was this study conducted? Instagram’s influence accounts for a very small percentage of park visits. What else could be driving crowds to Oregon parks, if not social media? Social media affects visitor behavior in other ways. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices