Management tools based on ecosystem services for protected areas have garnered widespread attention. However, since existing policies tend to focus more on the protection of natural resources, how to better use ecosystem services in a sustainable way to promote the development of local communities remains generally understudied. To fill this knowledge gap, here we introduce a multiple importance–satisfaction framework, consisting of a two-dimensional matrix with four quadrants. By mapping empirical perception scores to this matrix, we can derive a mental map of the respondents, which could be used to gauge whether a protected area currently meets the requirements of sustainable development. We applied this framework to a national park pilot in China. Our results show this pilot has not yet achieved sustainable development: although its residents do have a high awareness of environmental protection, their material and social needs are not yet fully satisfied. The pilot’s local managers should explore ways to use regulating and cultural services to meet the people’s outstanding basic needs. Our framework emphasizes that considering both ecosystem services and basic needs is conducive to improving the sustainability of protected areas’ management policies.