National Parks in a Shutdown: What You Need to Know Before You Go
When the government shuts down, national parks get caught in the crossfire. And if you’ve ever been excitedly packing for a trip only to realize, “Wait, what’s actually going to be open?”—welcome to my current life. My husband and I are road-tripping to Yellowstone this week, and yes, the gates are staying partially open. But here’s the catch: the skeleton crew holding things together can’t do it all, and that’s where things get messy—literally.
Why Parks Stay “Partially Open”
During shutdowns, the Department of the Interior has a choice: close parks completely (which is what used to happen), or keep them partially open to avoid the bad optics of turning visitors away. Lately, the trend has been to leave them open—but with almost no staff on duty.
Translation? Bathrooms aren’t cleaned, trash cans overflow, trail maintenance stops, and the rangers you do see are likely working without pay.
In the last big shutdown (2018–2019), places like Joshua Tree saw real damage: people driving off-road where they shouldn’t, cutting down protected trees, and leaving behind piles of garbage that took months to clean up.
And it wasn’t just Joshua Tree. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, that shutdown left scars across the system: prehistoric petroglyphs were vandalized at Big Bend, illegal off-roading tore up fragile desert habitat in Death Valley, and waste piled so high in Sequoia and Kings Canyon that the parks had to shut their gates mid-shutdown. Six years later, the reminder still stings.
Should Parks Close Completely?
Honestly, yes. As much as I want to hike Yellowstone’s geyser basins, I know that keeping parks open without proper staff is a recipe for abuse. But here we are: the gates are unlocked, people are coming in, and the wild places we love are vulnerable. So if we’re going, we need to be the kind of visitors who lighten the load instead of adding to it.
Planning a Park Visit During a Shutdown
If you’ve got a trip on the books, here’s how to do it responsibly:
Do Your Homework
Check the official park website (www.nps.gov) before you leave. Most parks post what’s open and what’s not. In Yellowstone, for example, visitor centers and many restrooms are closed, but roads and trails may still be accessible.
Expect “Roughing It” Conditions
No trash pickup, no flush toilets, no ranger talks. Bring your own toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and plenty of water. If the idea of overflowing pit toilets freaks you out—well, consider it part of your rugged adventure prep.
Pack Trash Bags (and Use Them)
Bring extras for your group and even for strangers. Nothing feels worse than walking past a mountain of Doritos bags and beer cans at a scenic overlook. A few minutes of cleanup goes a long way. And remember: Leave No Trace and “Pack it in, Pack it out” aren’t just cute slogans — they’re baseline outdoor ethics. They matter every time you head outside, but during a shutdown, they’re absolutely critical. With no staff hauling trash, the responsibility falls squarely on us.
Respect Wildlife and Trails
With fewer or no rangers around, enforcement is light. That doesn’t mean the rules don’t matter. Stay on trails, keep your distance from wildlife, and resist the urge to “just hop over there for a better photo.” This is classic Leave No Trace territory: travel and camp on durable surfaces, respect wildlife, and be considerate of others. Think of it as a checklist for being the kind of park visitor who helps protect the experience for everyone else.
Be Kind to Staff
If you do run into rangers or maintenance workers, remember: they’re likely not getting paid right now. A simple “thank you” and a request for how you can best assist goes a long way.
Why This All Matters
National parks aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re part of our national identity. They deserve better than being treated like pawns in political fights. Whether you agree with me that full closures are the safer route or not, we can all agree that these places are worth protecting. And until the government gets its act together, the responsibility falls a little more on us.
So if you’re heading out during this shutdown—whether it’s Yellowstone, Yosemite, or your local historic site—pack a little extra patience, a lot of respect, trash bags, and maybe some bathroom cleaning supplies. The parks need us at our best right now.
