National Parks across the country are feeling the impact of recent federal workforce layoffs, with reduced hours, canceled tours, and facility closures now becoming a reality. The staffing cuts, enacted under the Trump administration, have sparked concerns among park advocates and visitors alike as essential services are being scaled back.
Following weeks of speculation, National Park officials have begun formally acknowledging the challenges caused by staffing shortages. A Facebook post from Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado detailing service cuts has drawn thousands of comments, underscoring the public’s concern over the situation.
At Saguaro National Park in Arizona, visitor centers will now be closed on Mondays beginning February 24. Yosemite National Park has announced it will halt reservations for 577 coveted camping spots this summer, while Effigy Mounds in Iowa has scaled back visitor center hours. Carlsbad Caverns National Park has canceled guided tours and will soon eliminate self-guided tours as well. Meanwhile, Grand Canyon National Park is struggling with long entrance lines after reductions in staff assigned to entrance stations.
These cutbacks come in the wake of the administration’s February 14 workforce reductions, now referred to as the “Valentine’s Day Massacre.” The Department of the Interior, led by Secretary Doug Burgum, oversaw substantial staffing cuts within the National Park Service, while the Department of Agriculture also implemented layoffs affecting wildland firefighters and forest rangers.
The Trump administration has framed the layoffs as part of a broader effort to downsize the federal government and reduce spending. However, park advocates argue that the cuts are already harming the public. “Parks were already understaffed before this, and now we’re seeing vital services being slashed,” said Cassidy Jones, a former park ranger now working with the National Parks Conservation Association. “This will be a very rough season for visitors and employees alike.”
Jones explained that park managers are usually focused on preparing for the spring and summer tourism season at this time of year, hiring seasonal workers, and organizing educational programs. The layoffs have created uncertainty, forcing remaining rangers to shift away from their usual interpretive roles to assist with essential operations, such as traffic management and park maintenance.
Critics of the layoffs argue that they are counterproductive, especially given the economic impact of National Parks. Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the public lands advocacy group Center for Western Priorities, expressed concerns over the consequences of these cuts. “I don’t know whether we’ll see overflowing latrines, polluted streams, or deadly wildfires first, but Doug Burgum is already leaving a path of destruction across America’s parks and public lands,” Weiss said. “These terminations are reckless and do nothing to make the government more efficient.”
National Parks generate billions of dollars annually and sustain thousands of jobs in local economies reliant on tourism. According to a 2023 report, National Park Service sites in southeastern Utah alone attracted 2.4 million visitors, supported over 5,000 jobs, and contributed nearly $500 million to the economy.
Ashley Korenblat, owner of Western Spirit Cycling in Moab, Utah—near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks—expressed concern about how the cutbacks might affect her business. “These parks are not just national treasures, they are economic engines,” she said. “We’ve spent millions marketing America’s National Parks, and now we’re throwing that investment away.”
Korenblat revealed that a group of Canadian cyclists recently canceled a $10,000 trip to Moab due to concerns over park staffing and ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada. “Luckily, it’s not peak season yet, but perception matters,” she said. “If people think there’s a problem, they’ll cancel trips—even if the reality on the ground isn’t that bad.”
Park advocates stress that the staffing cuts could also impact conservation efforts and public safety. “National Parks protect wildlife, provide education, and preserve history,” Jones said. “With fewer staff on duty, we could see delays in environmental restoration projects and fewer ranger-led safety patrols.”
While administration officials defend the layoffs as a necessary step toward fiscal responsibility, critics argue that the move prioritizes short-term budget cuts over long-term sustainability. “Are we cutting essential jobs to fund tax breaks for the wealthy? Is that the plan?” Korenblat asked.
As the consequences of these layoffs continue to unfold, National Park supporters and local business owners fear that the loss of staffing and resources could have lasting damage. Visitors are encouraged to check official park websites and social media pages for the latest updates on closures and service reductions before planning their trips.
