A scenic view of Yosemite National Park with the Merced River flowing through. Travel Pulse
The recent federal layoffs under President Donald Trump's administration are already affecting national parks across the country. Many parks have reduced hours, cut services, and even closed visitor centers due to staffing shortages.
At Saguaro National Park in Tucson, both visitor centers shut down on February 24. Yosemite National Park has stopped taking reservations for 577 campsites for the summer. Effigy Mounds in Iowa will now keep its visitor center closed for two days a week until summer, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico has canceled guided tours altogether.
These changes follow the termination of nearly 1,000 National Park Service employees. The administration has also laid off hundreds of workers at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
One park director called the terminations “foolish, heartless, and ineffective.” The impact of these cuts is already being felt, especially as parks prepare for school field trips and other programs.
Cassidy Jones, a former park ranger now working with a nonprofit organization, said the situation is troubling. "I think it's going to be a very rough spring," she said. With over 325 million people visiting U.S. national parks in 2023, the reduced staff and services could create serious challenges.
Jones also expressed frustration over the decision. “We’ve spent millions marketing national parks to the world, and now we’re throwing that money away,” she said. “Are we cutting low-paying jobs just to fund bigger tax breaks for the rich? Is that the plan?”
Visitors and park supporters worry these changes will affect the quality of park experiences. Many are concerned about possible further cuts, especially with peak travel seasons approaching.
