Summary
The U.S. government is shutting down, and a plan from the Department of the Interior explains that while national parks will mostly stay open, buildings needing staff will close. More than half of National Park Service employees will be furloughed, meaning they temporarily stop working. This furlough raises concerns about managing park safety and cleanliness.
Key Facts
- National parks' roads, trails, and open-air areas will generally stay open during the shutdown.
- Buildings that require staff, like visitor centers, will close.
- The National Park Service oversees 433 parks and reported over 331 million visits in 2024.
- More than half of the National Park Service's 14,500 employees will be furloughed.
- Of the remaining staff, 2,700 will work on necessary roles, and 2,500 are not affected by the funding cuts.
- Limited emergency services will be available as part of the shutdown plan.
- Past issues, like in 2019, included unsanitary conditions due to lack of staff.
- Former park superintendents have expressed safety concerns about keeping parks open with minimal staff.
