Shutdown Chaos Fuels Vandalism and Illegal Activities in National Parks

In the past year, America's national parks have faced a growing number of concerning incidents due to the ongoing government shutdown and lack of staff and services. Despite warnings from advocacy groups, the Trump administration has allowed many parks to remain at least partially open with limited personnel, leading to a surge in dangerous and illegal activities.

Across the country, national parks have reported numerous issues, including overflowing bathrooms, piled-up trash, unkept trails, and even a 70-acre wildfire near an unstaffed campground in Joshua Tree, California. In October 2025, a stone wall at the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania was toppled, with the Gettysburg Foundation citing the lack of staffing as a contributing factor.

Furthermore, three people were convicted in late October 2025 of illegal base-jumping in Yosemite National Park, apparently taking advantage of the reduced law enforcement presence. A park employee revealed that there was only one wilderness ranger working in the vast park, allowing people, including campground squatters, to act with impunity.

The situation has become so dire that in late 2025, more than 450 former national park leaders signed a letter to the Interior Secretary, calling for the closure of the parks until the staffing issues could be resolved. They warned that the parks "cannot operate without" the dedicated National Park Service staff who are responsible for maintaining their cleanliness, safety, and overall functionality.