Demonstrators march in solidarity with National Park employees who've been laid off during a tumultuous week for the National Park Service
In the heart of America, a silent crisis is unfolding. The National Park Service (NPS), responsible for preserving and maintaining some of the nation's most treasured natural and historic sites, is grappling with a severe staffing shortage due to a federal hiring freeze.
The hiring freeze, signed into law by President Trump, has had a profound impact on the NPS. seasonal employees and jobs across US national parks, leading to a loss of about 25% of the workforce since early 2025. This shortage has resulted in widespread staffing shortages, affecting visitor services, educational programs, maintenance, and safety in many parks.
The consequences of this staffing crisis are far-reaching. More than 4,000 employees, both seasonal and permanent, have either lost their jobs or had their job offers rescinded. Parks like Gateway National Recreation Area lack sufficient lifeguards, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is unable to staff nearly one-third of its positions, forcing higher-skilled employees to cover lower-skilled tasks.
Visitor centers have reduced hours or services due to insufficient personnel, limiting educational programs and decreasing visitor engagement. Over 90 national parks reported operational problems from April through July 2025 due to departures, cuts, and the hiring freeze.
The staffing freeze undermines not only visitor experience but also critical conservation efforts, cultural preservation, and maintenance work, with long-term negative effects on park resources. Yosemite National Park, for instance, has paused its summer camping reservation system due to uncertainty about staff numbers.
Protesters across the country have voiced their concerns, demanding the return of seasonal workers. Protests were sparked at the entrance of the Rocky Mountains National Park in Colorado, as well as at Yosemite National Park in California and Flagstaff, Arizona. Kristen Brengel, NPCA senior vice president of government affairs, warned about the potential for overflowing trash, uncleaned bathrooms, and fewer rangers due to staff shortages.
Elisabeth Barton, co-founder of Echo Adventure Cooperative, expressed concern about the long-term health of Yosemite National Park under the current administration. She fears that the lack of seasonal workers could lead to a chaotic summer, as was echoed by Kristen Desantis, a Colorado protester, who stated that without rangers and seasonal workers, the summer could be a mess.
The hiring freeze stops government agencies from taking on new staff, but a new order exempting seasonal employees from the freeze may offer some relief. However, it's currently unclear exactly how many full-time employees were sacked or took redundancy.
The crisis highlights the need for policy changes to restore staffing levels and seasonal job availability. The NPS's core mission to protect natural and historic treasures and provide quality visitor experiences is at stake, underscoring the urgency for action.
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