Despite a federal government shutdown that has halted fees, closed visitor centers and furloughed staff, travelers continue to pour into America’s national parks.
According to a news article by CNN, among them was 26-year-old Nudrat Mahajabin, who recently visited Grand Canyon National Park and refused to let the shutdown cancel her plans.
“We had planned this trip a while back. So, there was really no going back,” she said. “I feel like a shutdown might not close the gates, but it does affect and impact the caretakers. And I guess that’s what worries me the most,” Nudrat added.
Her concern is shared by park advocates and nearby business owners who worry that operating the parks without full staffing could create safety hazards and economic strain if political negotiations drag on.
The shutdown has already closed major attractions like the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC, and forced 9,000 National Park Service employees off the job.
Still, the Department of Interior has opted to keep many parks accessible, relying in some cases on temporary state funding.
West Virginia stepped in to keep New River Gorge National Park and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park operational after striking an agreement with the federal government.
The state’s Republican governor, Patrick Morrisey, explained why: “We know that tourism is huge for West Virginia, bringing in billions and billions of dollars every year. So, this was not the time to be shut down.”
He announced the parks would remain fully open through October 18 to accommodate Bridge Day, a major tourism event where spectators watch parachutists leap from New River Gorge Bridge.
While some tourism businesses say they have yet to feel any negative effects, others are bracing for change.
“This shutdown has had zero effect on us. We are open for business,” said Rob Dobson, who runs West Virginia Adventures near New River Gorge.
In California, tourism has even increased around Yosemite National Park. With entry fees suspended, Elisabeth Barton of Echo Adventure Cooperative said her company is “having a much busier October than we would normally have.”
The shutdown’s economic consequences are mixed, especially in Washington, DC. The closure of Smithsonian museums since October 12 has driven visitors instead to private attractions.
Mount Vernon, George Washington’s historic estate, reported a 50% jump in attendance over the same time last year.
The National Law Enforcement Museum and the International Spy Museum also reported stronger business.
Public transit use across DC has even exceeded last year’s levels during the first nine days of the shutdown, according to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority data.
However, local business leaders in the capital warn the shutdown’s financial damage could escalate quickly.
Harry Wingo Ferguson cautioned that the 35-day shutdown in 2018–2019 cost Washington $47.4 million in lost revenue.
“Everything from the small mom-and-pop sandwich shops to the larger entities are impacted by the shutdown,” he said.
“We are in the prime months and weeks for convention business and tourism. So, the impact is significant,” he added.
Inside the parks, the strain of operating without full staff is becoming a growing concern. With entrance stations empty and ranger patrols reduced, reports of illegal behavior and unsafe activity are rising.
Barton said Yosemite has attracted “a weird contingent of folks who have a need for unfettered access, who think ‘I can do anything I want.’”
Guides have encountered visitors flying banned drones, and some have witnessed illegal base jumping.
Attempts to intervene have sometimes escalated. “People being frustrated, easily tuned-up,” she said, describing hostile reactions to being asked to follow rules.
Advocates say the parks should close until staff can return. David Lamfrom of the National Parks Conservation Association said visitors are missing vital safety guidance.
“Visitors might be able to access beautiful places, but they’re not going to have the full experience that they’re used to at national parks. And that also means that people are not going to be getting some of the fundamental guidance,” he said, warning that delayed emergency response could put lives at risk.
Emily Thompson, who leads the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, agreed, noting, “Park rangers and Park Service employees do so much at parks regarding safety and preventative messaging.”
She said reports of trash accumulating are already coming in, echoing problems seen during past shutdowns.
At Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, YMCA volunteers have started organizing trail cleanups to prevent waste from piling up. One park ranger said vandalism and neglect could create “a backlog of work when the shutdown ends.”
The Interior Department maintains that essential services will continue.
“Critical functions that protect life, property, and public health will remain in place, including visitor access in many locations, law enforcement, and emergency response,” the agency said earlier this month.
But small business owners near parks are wary. In Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, cabin operator Eddie Love said bookings are already down.
“October is usually a pretty strong month for us,” he said, estimating reservations are 30% lower than last year. One guest canceled after being furloughed.
“We’ll be OK even if the shutdown continues, but I know there are lots of other businesses that are a little more on the margin and might have a harder time making ends meet if it dragged on,” Eddie added.
William Torres, who owns DC Trails tour bus company, echoed that cautious outlook. The shutdown is “not a big concern at the moment,” he said, but added, “If it keeps going and it goes on, you know, past November and into the Thanksgiving season, then it could probably affect me some.”
This story shows how ongoing uncertainty around national park operations threatens travel demand, campground occupancy, tour activity and the stability of outdoor tourism businesses nationwide.