Home / Disasters and Accidents / Yosemite Shutdown Fuels Illegal BASE Jumping Surge
Yosemite Shutdown Fuels Illegal BASE Jumping Surge
10 Oct
Summary
- National Park Service warns against dangerous BASE jumping in Yosemite
- Jumpers reportedly launching from El Capitan during the day
- Shutdown limits park enforcement, putting safety and resources at risk
As of October 10, 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) has warned against the surge of illegal BASE jumping activities in Yosemite National Park during the current government shutdown. The shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, has led to significant reductions in NPS staffing, leaving the iconic park with limited enforcement capabilities.
This has reportedly allowed some BASE jumpers to take advantage of the situation, with the San Francisco Chronicle reporting an increase in jumpers launching from landmarks like El Capitan in broad daylight. One climber, Charles Winstead, said he has seen at least a dozen jumpers descend from El Cap this week, with some simply gathering their parachutes and walking away "totally nonchalant."
The NPS has emphasized that BASE jumping is strictly prohibited in all national parks due to the significant safety risks it poses to participants, the public, and first responders. However, with enforcement constrained, the park's safety, legal compliance, resource protection, and public access are all at stake as these incidents continue.
The ongoing shutdown has persisted as Congress works to reach an agreement on a new spending plan. In the meantime, the NPS remains focused on essential duties, while public access to parks like Yosemite remains, albeit with limited enforcement of park rules, including the ban on BASE jumping.
