With a government shutdown in place, the Department of the Interior has announced that most of the country's national parks will stay open, but with serious caveats. Here's what to know:
Will national parks remain open during the government shutdown?
Open-air sites will stay open. That means trails, scenic drives, lookouts and outdoor memorials like the Lincoln Memorial will remain accessible. Restrooms will be open, and trash collection is expected to continue, at least initially.
Which national parks will be closed during the government shutdown?
Any other sites operated by the National Parks Service that require staffing, however, will be closed. This includes visitor centers, museums, ranger-led programs and attractions like the Washington Monument.
About 64-percent of the National Park Service workforce will be furloughed, leaving only “excepted” staff on duty: law enforcement, emergency responders and fire crews. Fewer rangers will be on hand to answer questions, help lost hikers or protect fragile areas from careless visitors.
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How have national parks responded to government shutdowns in the past?
Past shutdowns suggest potential problems with the current plan. During the record-breaking 34-day shutdown in 2019, understaffing led to overflowing toilets, piled-up trash and even lasting damage at places like Joshua Tree, where unsupervised visitors off-roaded through fragile desert. During the 2013 shutdown, gates were locked, bathrooms shuttered, and fencing went up around iconic spots like the Lincoln Memorial.
Conservation groups are already sounding the alarm, warning that keeping parks partially open risks both public safety and long-term damage to irreplaceable landscapes. More than 40 former park superintendents have urged the Interior Secretary to shut gates entirely until funding is restored.
So while the government remains shut down, you’ll still be able to visit most parks. But don’t count on ranger programs, guided tours or open visitor centers. And know that behind the scenery, the parks are running on fumes, with staff stretched thin and risks rising. If you go, be sure to pack out your trash, stick to marked trails and recognize that the people who usually keep the parks humming won’t be there.