Pinnacles National Park's Water Turns Brown and Foul-Smelling Amid Government Shutdown

As of October 22nd, 2025, Pinnacles National Park in California is facing a water quality crisis, with reports of the drinking water turning brown and having a peculiar smell. According to the information, a visitor named Andrew Snow, who was set to lead a week of outdoor activities for 50 middle school students, noticed the discolored water and approached a camp host about the issue.

The camp host informed Snow that the maintenance worker who typically checks the water spigots every few days was not carrying out this task due to the federal government shutdown. The host advised Snow to "rig something up and leave the spigot open for about an hour" to flush the system.

Photos shared by Snow with the news outlet SFGATE show a clear difference between the initial brown-colored water and the flushed water, which appeared more normal in color. While the exact cause of the water discoloration is unclear, it could be due to factors like leaves, dirt, and natural tannins.

Despite the concerns raised, the National Park Service has stated that "water operators are running at full capacity and we have not received complaints from visitors about the water." However, the ongoing government shutdown has already strained the National Park Service, with a 20% reduction in staff and severe budget cuts implemented earlier this year.

The National Parks Conservation Association has warned that it is "dangerous" to allow Americans to use the parks at present due to these staffing and resource issues. As the government shutdown continues, more reports of problems at various National Parks are expected to surface, potentially impacting visitor safety and park maintenance.