Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park Credit: NPS
Secretary Burgum’s order that parks remain open and accessible has put parks in an impossible situation.
August 28, 2025 - A new report in Wednesday’s New York Times shows that while the Trump Administration is pushing national parks to remain open and accessible, our parks are in crisis, and it is likely to get much worse.
The Times story found that at least 90 parks operated by the National Park Service (NPS) are facing serious strain due to understaffing. In total, the NPS has lost 24% of its personnel since the beginning of the Administration, on top of a 20% decline since 2010. The piece details all the ways this is affecting our most treasured spaces – from uncleaned bathrooms and uncollected entrance fees to limited educational programs and reduced rescue capacity.
National parks like Zion – the second most visited in the country – are reporting millions in lost revenue and significantly smaller search and rescue teams. But it’s not just the biggest of them. So too are historic sites and national monuments struggling, with many cutting crucial programs that teach young Americans about our history and wild spaces.
In response to the story, Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, released the following statement:
“The New York Times report is alarming. And should be a warning sign. It makes clear: Our national parks across the country are being pushed to the brink. Gutting the NPS workforce has set our parks on an unsustainable and dangerous path – and Secretary Burgum’s order that parks remain ‘open and accessible’ has put them in an impossible situation. Clearly staffing cuts are already impacting the ability of some park units to respond to emergencies, ensure visitor safety, continue routine maintenance, lead tours and educational programs, and keep facilities open. While some of these impacts are already visible to the public, it is very likely that this situation will get much worse.”
You can see the full list of issues at the parks here via the National Parks Conservation Association: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10h9-toHjHGjcBmhdUDZst9ZiHWUu7dM0/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109050738263707105714&rtpof=true&sd=true
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks represents over 3,400 current, former, and retired employees and volunteers of the National Park Service, with over 50,000 collective years of stewardship of America’s most precious natural and cultural resources. Recognized as the Voices of Experience, the Coalition educates, speaks, and acts for the preservation and protection of the National Park System, and mission-related programs of the National Park Service. More information can be found at https://protectnps.org
Source: Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks