Sierra Club: Trump Shutdown Forces National Parks To Remain Open, Operate With Skeleton Crews

By

NPT Staff
October 1, 2025

Per an October 1 release by the Sierra Club, as part of the federal government shutdown that began at midnight on Wednesday, October 1, the National Park Service has been ordered to keep national parks open and to operate them with skeleton crews. Almost 9,300 national park employees are expected to be furloughed, and some may also receive permanent Reduction in Force (RIF) notices under a new administration directive.

The National Park Service’s contingency plan calls for park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials to remain accessible to visitors, and allows parks “with accessible areas” that collect fees to use those fees to provide some basic services, including maintaining bathrooms and roads, collecting trash, providing emergency operations, and staffing entrance gates.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s lapse of funding plan directs the Forest Service to close remote recreational sites but continue some business functions, such as responding to and preparing for wildfires. The Bureau of Land Management’s contingency plan calls for some staff to continue working to advance oil and gas drilling, coal mining, and other activities for their fake “energy emergency.”

In response, Jackie Ostfeld, Outdoors for All Campaign Director at the Sierra Club, issued the following statement:

It is irresponsible to keep national parks, forests, and other public lands open without the proper staffing and support needed to manage them safely. The Trump administration’s ongoing assault on public lands is stretching national parks staff thin. Forcing national parks to operate without sufficient support, simply to maintain the illusion of openness, puts visitors, staff, and the land at risk. We saw this playbook during the last government shutdown, when overflowing trash, damaged trails, and unsafe conditions became the norm. This is once again a direct result of the Trump administration’s sustained attack on the people and resources that keep our public lands running, in order to one day justify privatizing those public lands.

Story Categories:

Parks in the News

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks 

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks. 

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks 

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.