Government Shutdown Risks National Parks Safety, Staffing Across US

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown, extending into its third week in 2025, has severely impacted the National Park Service (NPS) and associated public lands, with significant staffing reductions and funding cuts causing widespread concern. The NPS has furloughed over 9,000 employees and is preparing for further layoffs, leading to diminished conservation efforts, increased vandalism, and potential long-term ecological damage at parks like Yosemite. Despite most parks remaining open using pre-collected entrance fees and donations, these funds are being diverted from their intended maintenance and restoration purposes to cover basic operations, risking future project delays. Officials warn that without federal funding, public access to national parks cannot continue indefinitely, and local economies reliant on park visitation face negative consequences. Advocates argue that the current approach—keeping parks accessible but understaffed—is akin to leaving a museum open without security, which endangers irreplaceable natural and cultural resources. The shutdown also causes broader economic impacts, including reduced tourism and travel disruptions, highlighting the extensive fallout beyond the parks themselves.