Abstract: In order to verify the feasibility of monitoring soil pollution along roads in scenic spots by the method of environmental magnetism, the topsoil samples were collected from the roadside areas (distance from roads < 0.5 m), far from roads (distance from roads >30 m) and the area far away from the tourist activity (as the control area) in the Kanas scenic spots. Their magnetic properties, spatial distribution and causes were investigated by magnetic measurement, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer. The results showed that:(1) The average values of χ_LF (low frequency magnetic susceptibility) and SIRM (saturated isothermal remanence) of roadside topsoil samples were 194.24×10^-8 m³/kg, 2288.62×10^-5 Am²/kg, respectively, which were significantly higher than those far away from the road and the control area. (2) The average values of SOFT (soft remanence), HIRM (hard remanence) and S_-ratio (the opposite number of the ratio of SIRM to isothermal remanence for 300 mT reverse magnetic field measurement) of topsoil samples along the road were 4.35, 3.66, 0.99 times higher than those of the control area, respectively. The average value of SIRM/χ_LF was less than 20 kA/m, and the average value of χ_FD was 2.04%. The curve of IRM (isothermal remanence) showed a fast and then slow upward trend. (3) The parameters of χ_LF, IRM_{20 mT} and SIRM from topsoil samples along the road correlated positively with each other and with SOFT. χ_LF correlated negatively with χ_FD and SIRM/χ_LF. There was a positive correlation between χ_FD and SIRM/χ_LF. S_-ratio correlated positively with SOFT and correlated negatively with HIRM. (4) The magnetic minerals of typical samples had smooth and intact spherical, irregular or flaky particles. The elements mainly included C, O, Si, Al, Fe, etc., and contained trace heavy metal elements, such as Ni, Cr, Mn. The results indicated that the content of magnetic minerals in the roadside topsoil samples was high. The bearing magnetic minerals were mainly ferromagnetic minerals. The magnetic particles were mainly multidomain and pseudo-single domain coarse particles. The spatial variation trends of χ_LF, SIRM and SOFT were similar to each other, and the high value areas appeared on the roads leading to lake outlet, and the magnetic particles were thicker. The high value areas formed potential soil pollution areas. The magnetic enhancement of roadside topsoil samples might be related to the exogenous input of magnetic particles produced by tourism traffic activities. Therefore, the environmental magnetism method had the ability to monitor the soil environment of scenic spots, and it could be used to identify the sources of pollutants and screen the scope of tourist traffic soil pollution in scenic spots.