As you know, we are well into a government shutdown now. While national parks throughout the United States remain closed indefinitely, hundreds of millions of visitors will experience the effects of these seismic shifts. In reaction to the shutdown, the National Park Service (NPS) has implemented a contingency plan. As a consequence, more than 9,000 of its 14,500 workers are currently furloughed.
The decision to partially keep parks open comes as a response to previous shutdowns, where parks remained operational but with limited staff. National park leaders and advocates have urged against this approach, emphasizing the importance of proper staffing to maintain safety and accessibility for visitors.
Impact on Facilities and Staffing
Most of the facilities that need personnel will be closed well before the shutdown. This goes for visitor centers as well as gated parking lots which often have predetermined opening and closing hours. In the end, thousands of acres across the parks will be closed to the public. This includes areas where there are no public outdoor spaces, that will be shut down altogether.
For visitors, the NPS’s contingency plan details what staff shortages will mean for services offered to the public. It predicts that shuttered amenities will have a huge impact on the millions of visitors who rush to these natural wonders annually. Increased staffing is key to not only maintaining a clean, safe park experience during a stressful period, but ensuring visitors have confidence that their trip is safe.
“If sufficient staff aren’t there, visitors shouldn’t be either,” – 40 former superintendents
Given these challenges, the NPS seeks to balance access with safety requirements. The next shutdown as currently set up creates an awful choice. Its goal is to maximize access to healthcare while navigating the risks associated with having a smaller staff.
Financial Ramifications for Local Communities
The shutdown affects far beyond the park’s gates. It endangers the economic livelihood of local communities that surround it and that rely almost exclusively on tourism for their economy. Small businesses flourish on the economic activity created by visitors venturing to our national parks. If access to parks improves, these businesses might experience tens of millions of dollars in losses.
The NPS released its shutdown plan only hours before the funding lapse. While I was impressed with this quick action, it showed how essential the situation was. National park advocates have expressed their concerns regarding the long-term impacts on both park operations and local economies, underscoring the vital role national parks play in American culture and community life.
“National parks don’t run themselves. It is hard-working National Park Service employees that keep them safe, clean and accessible.” – 40 former superintendents
Historical Context and Future Considerations
During his first term, President Donald Trump directed national parks to remain open—albeit under severe staffing constraints. This was a huge decision that followed a lengthy study of previous government shutdowns. This top-down approach faced backlash from national park leadership, which in turn exposed the dangerous, even fatal consequences of chronic under-staffing.
This time, the shutdown plan is designed with lessons learned from past experiences and puts the health and safety of visitors first while acknowledging very limited available resources. Stakeholders continue to express optimism that a quick compromise can be reached to end the funding stalemate and return national parks to full operations.
