With the government shutdown stretching into its 22nd day, national parks face mounting strain and flight delays grow as federal workers remain unpaid.
It’s day 22 of the government shutdown, and the Senate remains locked in a stalemate. Meanwhile, federal workers are furloughed, and essential workers are on the job without pay. National parks have stayed open with limited staff, and visitors are not only feeling the lack of services but parks are also beginning to show signs of strain from unfettered access.
Related: Expect Long Airport Lines and Delayed Flights: What the Shutdown Means for Travel
Visitors Undeterred
National parks remain open during the lapse, while two-thirds of their employees are furloughed. Some parks have secured funding from states and nonprofits to keep services operational; Utah, West Virginia, and Tennessee are keeping their parks fully open.
Since no entrance fees are being collected, more visitors are coming to national parks despite limited services. However, the parks are losing millions in entrance fees each day, and nearby communities risk losing up to $80 million daily in visitor spending.
Some services, such as visitor centers, are closed. In many areas, only a skeleton staff remains on the ground. Rangers typically offer advice to visitors, keep them away from dangerous trails, and fine those who break the rules. But with limited staff, there may be delays in emergency services and rescue operations.
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During the last shutdown in 2018-2019, national parks suffered major damage. People cut down trees, built illegal roads, went off-road, and vandalized historic sites. This shutdown is beginning to show similar problems as reduced staffing makes it harder to keep parks safe.
At Yosemite, there have been drone sightings. Drones are banned in national parks, and violators face fines of up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail. One of the most visited parks in the U.S. has also seen an increase in BASE jumping, an activity where participants jump from structures with parachutes. It’s not allowed in national parks and can lead to fines and jail time, but thrill-seekers are taking advantage of the reduced staff presence.
In California’s Pinnacles National Park, water turned brown, and physical trail maps are no longer available. Fall foliage is drawing visitors to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, where reports of overcrowding are mounting. Elsewhere, there are reports of trash piling up, people going off-trail, and visitors bringing dogs where they aren’t permitted. These problems may worsen as the shutdown continues.
If you decide to visit a national park during the shutdown, be prepared. Download trail maps to your phone and confirm what services are available. Leave no trace: stay on trails, avoid engaging with wildlife, and encourage others to follow the same rules. If entrance fees aren’t being collected, consider donating to the park to help preserve the environment.
Cloudy Skies
Travelers are also facing flight disruptions and delays. On Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration said staffing issues were delaying flights in multiple cities. More than 7,600 flights were delayed that day, though bad weather was also a factor.
Air traffic controllers are working without pay, and many have taken shifts as Uber drivers or restaurant servers to make ends meet. They hold highly stressful jobs, and the financial strain is adding more pressure. On Monday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said controllers are seeking more work. “I hope we don’t see more disruptions. But as this gets closer to payday, I think you could see more of that through the airspace.”
After delays were reported shortly after the shutdown began, Secretary Duffy confirmed an uptick in sick days among controllers. During the last shutdown, disruptions in air travel were one of the key reasons it ended.
Meanwhile, many airports across the U.S. have refused to play a political video at security checkpoints. The video shows Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem blaming the Democratic Party for the shutdown. Airports declined to show it because of its messaging and possible violation of federal laws.
Related: Travels Delays Mount as Air Traffic Controllers Call Out Sick
