Objectives Realizing the scientific protection and rational utilization of natural resources is one of the main purposes of establishing the national park system in China. Franchising in national parks is the main way to achieve the rational utilization of natural resource assets in national parks. National parks are “ecological special zones”, and the franchising must be carried out under the premise of strict protection to achieve public welfare for all through the participation of all the people, to share benefit, and serve as national welfare. Currently, the franchising management of national parks in China is still in the exploratory stage, and there are several difficulties in institutional construction and practical exploration. By studying the relevant policies of national park franchising in China, it is expected to provide references for the theory and practice of franchising in national parks and other nature reserves in China.

Methods Through literature analysis, field research, interview, and comparative analysis, this paper analyzed the basic situation and relevant policy basis of national park franchising in China at the present stage.

Results There were still problems in national park franchising in China, such as incomplete policies, unsound national park management system and mechanism, and unclear entrusted agency mechanism of natural resource assets owned by the whole people. At the same time, although the current national park franchising theory was relatively plentiful, at the practical level, due to the imperfection of the existing policy system, there was no specific reference basis in the aspects of franchising authorization subject, income distribution, ticket management, agreement signing, etc., so there were still many disputes and deviations at the specific operational level.

Conclusions According to the current situation of franchising in China, this paper proposed four countermeasures and suggestions: legislation first, in-depth reform, steady progress, and strengthened supervision and guidance. It was also suggested that the management and policy system of national park franchising should be established and improved as soon as possible to provide correct policy and supervision guidance for grassroots practice. Through practice, problems could be found in time and experiences can be summarized to ensure that national park franchising would develop in the right direction.