On February 14, over 1,000 permanent National Park Service employees lost their jobs. This sudden job loss has led many former workers to share their experiences on social media, echoing the feelings of loss and uncertainty.
The cuts don’t stop there. The U.S. Forest Service also let go approximately 3,000 employees, impacting many seasonal workers who are unsure about their future jobs. Although the U.S. Department of the Interior announced plans for 7,700 temporary positions—slightly more than usual—many still fear for their employment. Typically, the National Park Service operates with around 20,000 employees, including 7,000 seasonal positions.
This turmoil comes at a busy time for national parks, as visitors plan their spring and summer trips. With over 325 million visitors each year, the parks already face challenges in meeting demand. From 2011 to 2022, the number of full-time park employees dropped by 15%. Some are concerned that these new cuts could further diminish the visitor experience across 433 park sites, which collectively span 85 million acres.
Kristen Brengel, senior vice president for government affairs at the National Parks Conservation Association, shared that travelers should consider rescheduling their trips if they hope to have the full national park experience this year.
Already, parks are feeling the impact. Spencer Glenn from Seattle recently called Carlsbad Caverns to ask about canceled ranger-led cave tours. The ranger explained that half of the staff had been let go due to new federal regulations.
At the Grand Canyon, reduced staffing led to less revenue, while the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado had to close on Mondays and Tuesdays because they didn’t have enough staff to operate.
The future for these beloved landscapes and experiences looks uncertain, impacting both visitors and employees alike.
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