Objectives This study aimed to design a logical framework and identify corresponding implementation pathways for national park governance, with the goal of promoting the efficient implementation and sustainable development of China's national park system.

Methods Employing the logical framework approach, the research started by identifying the core issues that urgently required resolutions in national park governance. It conducted an in-depth analysis of the prominent problems in current governance practices and, by integrating multi-level governance objectives, constructed a logical framework for national park governance. Subsequently, specific implementation pathways were proposed.

Results The imbalance between protection and development was the core issue that must be addressed in the development of national parks and natural protected areas. “Inadequate conservation” and “deficient development” were common manifestations that were reflected by the core issue. The underlying root cause lies in the imbalance of interests among multiple stakeholders, primarily reflected in three aspects: fragmented intergovernmental relations, non-normative government-enterprise cooperation, and inefficient community participation. In response to the apparent problems, the macro objective of national park governance was defined as ecological conservation as the primary goal, balanced with development. Corresponding to the core issue and its causes, the macro objective was progressively decomposed into a symbiotic relationship between regional protection and development, with compatible incentives among multiple stakeholders.

Conclusions A multi-level government logical framework was constructed. This framework was built on the foundation of the national park governance structure, with the "national park community of interests" as its outer core and the "national park ecological community" as its inner core, all oriented toward the vision of sustaining the national park social-ecological systems. To ensure the stable iteration of the logical framework, implementation pathways were proposed, including innovating governance models, designing external incentive mechanisms, establishing internal community order, and dynamically configuring adaptive governance strategies.