A storm is brewing, and I am deeply concerned. It is no secret that I love our national parks. Julie and I averaged over six national park visits each of the past three years. These adventures dominate the list of my most cherished travel memories.
Is America’s Best Idea In Danger?
Documentary filmmaking legend Ken Burns famously called our national parks “America’s best idea.” I second that sentiment. Ironically, when national park travel is more popular than ever, our sacred lands teeter on the edge of disaster.
National Parks Set a Visitation Record in 2024
According to National Park Service (NPS) , nearly 332 million people visited our national parks in 2024. That is a new record and an increase of over 6 million visits from the previous year. Across all national park sites, 28 parks set attendance records in 2024.
So, why am I concerned? While the American people agree with Ken Burns, apparently, the current administration has not watched his national park documentary. Let’s explore the implications of making America great again without including our national parks.
Trump National Park Cuts
This matter has nothing to do with political affiliation but everything to do with policy. Regardless of your political allegiance, I hope we can all admit that America has some inefficiencies within our federal government.
President Trump has tasked Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with tackling this monumental effort. The dynamic duo is channeling some of this energy in the wrong direction.
Park rangers have lost their dream jobs, and parks face limited resources due to hiring freezes and budget constraints. From personal experience, our national parks were understaffed before these developments.
During our visit to , Julie and I observed how a shortage of rangers can lead to trouble. Sadly, some humans are simply apathetic. Exhibit A, while driving through the park, we saw a man urinating on a giant sequoia.
A few minutes later, we got trapped in a line of cars waiting to drive through the famous Tunnel Log. Rather than the usual two minutes to hop out of a car for a photo, a family decided to disrespect all the other guests by holding the line hostage for a photo shoot that went on for over half an hour. Later that afternoon, we saw several men hop a fence to cut through a designated restoration area.
I realize these examples are as much a bad apple issue as a staff shortage issue. However, a few extra rangers on hand may have helped prevent the disrespectful behavior toward nature and other guests. With a small staff, there were no rangers around to help protect the park when she needed it the most.
Impact on Gateway Communities
Julie and I love exploring national park gateway towns. We often find gems in these communities, enhancing our experience.
During our recent trip to Yosemite National Park, we stumbled upon , which serves delicious food and wine. After a relaxing meal, we enjoyed exploring beautiful works of art inspired by nature at the .
Make no mistake, these communities rely heavily upon the success of national park tourism. I cannot imagine either of these two gems surviving if park attendance were to drop sharply.
How significant is consumer spending in these nearby towns? Data from Headwaters Economics shows that 2023 topped $26 billion.
With the current upheaval to staff and resources, Yosemite National Park has been unable to execute its annual reservation system to ease overcrowding. The area has already seen canceled bookings for hotels and campsites, alarming park staff and local businesses.
Environmental Impact
While I appreciate the concern over being dependent on other countries for fuel, I sincerely hope we do not sacrifice our protected park sites and national forests to generate these energy sources.
On March 1, President Trump signed an executive order directing the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to find ways to increase timber production. If the president cites a national defense or security emergency, he can bypass previous protections of our national forests and the wildlife within those habitats.
The oversees 58 million acres of forest and woodlands, while the manages another 193 million acres. If the government opens any of these lands for logging or drilling, it will cause irreparable damage.
Infrastructure Projects
With staff shortages and fewer resources for our national parks, badly needed infrastructure projects may get delayed or remain unfinished. While there are many examples, two immediately spring to mind.
The second half of Denali Park Road has been closed since 2021 due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide. The more remote park sections, including the majestic Wonder Lake, remain inaccessible to guests. Julie and I dream of returning to to explore this area. The park expects the closure to stay in place through the summer of 2026. National park travelers worry that staff and resource cuts could delay the project.
Hoh Rain Forest, one of the most popular areas in Washington’s Olympic National Park, is closed due to road damage. Federal funds are currently not committed to repairing the sole access road. Local communities fear thousands of vacationers may cancel their plans due to the significant park closure.
Lease Terminations and Office Closures
The (NPCA) reports that the current administration plans to close 34 NPS offices and terminate those leases. One example is the Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center. Although not located in a national park, the office serves as a hub for visitors to plan national park adventures.
Julie and I stopped here during our visit to Fairbanks last year. Their assistance was invaluable. A park ranger helped us with our plans for Denali National Park and where to spot moose and bald eagles in the Chena River Recreation Area.
She also helped us prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience where we flew over the . I cannot begin to do justice to how much she made our dreams come true. The very thought of this office closing breaks my heart.
What Will National Park Travel Look Like in 2025?
The full impact of staff cuts and a lack of resources remains to be seen. However, it is reasonable to expect delayed reservation system services in parks like . This will likely lead to longer lines of cars and overcrowding on scenic drives, hiking trails, and popular attractions.
You may experience long waits to obtain guidance from a park ranger. Julie and I saw a single park ranger stationed outside of a visitor center last year. People waited an hour just to ask a question. Without staff additions, this could get worse.
Some visitor centers may open later in the season or offer reduced hours. Campgrounds may be challenging to reserve and potentially unavailable. Some tours and services may be reduced or eliminated. Park areas currently inaccessible due to road damage will likely remain that way for the foreseeable future.
Restroom facilities may be cleaned less frequently. Julie and I experienced this once at a park last year. Hundreds of flies swarmed the facilities, and the smell hit us 20 yards from the restrooms.
If offices like the one in Fairbanks close, you will have fewer resources to plan your visit. You may miss out on unique experiences due to a lack of insight from a park ranger.
If visitation decreases sharply, some businesses in the gateway towns could eventually close. This would affect residents’ livelihoods and result in fewer dining, lodging, and shopping options for tourists.
What Can You Do To Help?
By visiting, you support national parks and their gateway communities. So, I hope you decide to keep your travel plans. That said, be sure to monitor the park website(s) for status updates so you have a better idea of what to expect before your visit.
It is essential to be patient and show respect to nature, park staff, and other visitors.
The NPS requests that all visitors follow the .
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Travel and camp on durable surfaces
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Dispose of waste properly
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Minimize campfire impacts
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Be considerate of other visitors
You can sign the NPCA to show support for our national parks and notify our government that you are concerned about the staff cuts. You can also call or write to your elected representatives.
Hopefully, if we do our part, “America’s best idea” will still be around for future generations to enjoy.
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