Government shutdown national parks: are U.S. parks open or closed?
Government shutdown national parks rules are set each time by the Interior Department, so they change from one shutdown to the next. In 2013 every park closed. In recent shutdowns most parks stayed open, but with few rangers, locked visitor centers and limited services. State parks are not affected. Right now there is no shutdown, and national parks are operating normally. The government is funded through December 11, 2026.
National parks: Normal Government: OPEN Live status
Are national parks open during a government shutdown?
Usually yes, but not in the normal way. The National Park Service is paid for through yearly funding, so in a shutdown most of its staff are sent home. Its 2025 shutdown plan furloughed about 64% of its workforce. The rangers who stay mainly protect people, property and resources.
Whether a park stays open is a policy choice. In 2013 the Park Service closed everything. Since 2018, the Interior Department has kept most parks accessible, and each park decides what it can safely offer with the staff and money it has.
What stays open and what closes
Under the Park Service's 2025 plan:
- Generally open: park roads, trails, lookouts and open-air memorials.
- Locked: buildings and gated areas that are normally locked after hours, such as visitor centers, museums and some parking lots. They stay locked until the shutdown ends.
- Depends on the park: trash pickup, restrooms, road upkeep and campgrounds. Parks that keep part of their entrance fees can use that money for these basic services.
- Closed for safety: any area a park cannot safely keep open with the staff it has.
Parks can also accept money from states or other partners to stay fully open, as several states did in 2013.
National parks in past shutdowns
| Shutdown | What happened at national parks |
|---|---|
| October 2013 (16 days) | All 401 park units closed. Parks lost about 7.9 million visits, and nearby towns lost about $414 million in visitor spending. Six states, including Arizona, Colorado and Utah, paid to reopen some parks. |
| Dec 2018 – Jan 2019 (35 days) | Most parks stayed open with few staff. Trash piled up and toilets overflowed in some parks. At Joshua Tree, visitors cut down trees and drove into protected areas. The Park Service used entrance fees to pay for cleanup, which a federal auditor later found broke spending law. |
| Oct – Nov 2025 (43 days) | Most parks stayed open, but entrance fee booths were closed, so parks lost fee money. Visitor centers and other buildings were locked, and services depended on each park. |
The 2013 closures came during a 16-day shutdown; the 2025 one lasted 43 days, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
State parks and other public lands
State parks are run by state governments, so a federal shutdown does not close them. They can be a good backup if a national park near you has limited services. City and county parks are not affected either.
If a shutdown started after the next deadline
The next funding deadline is December 11, 2026. The stopgap law covers the Interior Department, which runs the Park Service. If it ran out without a new law, the Park Service would follow its shutdown plan, and each park would announce what stays open.
Tips for visiting during a shutdown
- Check the park's official page and its social media before you leave.
- Bring what you need: water, food, maps and a trash bag. Stores and restrooms may be closed.
- Stay on marked trails and roads. Fewer rangers means slower help in an emergency.
- Leave no trace. Some damage from past shutdowns has been hard to undo.
- Confirm lodging and campground bookings with the company or park that runs them.
- Flying in? Allow extra time, since airport security lines and flights can be slower in a long shutdown.
Parks are often the most visible sign of what shuts down in a government shutdown. Our U.S. government shutdown tracker shows the live status.
Frequently asked questions
Are national parks open during a government shutdown?
It depends on the shutdown. In 2013 every park closed. In the 2018–19 and 2025 shutdowns most parks stayed open with few staff. Roads, trails and viewpoints were generally open, while visitor centers and restrooms in buildings were locked.
Are state parks open during a government shutdown?
Yes. State parks are run by state governments, not the federal government, so a federal shutdown does not close them.
Do you have to pay entrance fees during a shutdown?
In the 2025 shutdown most parks stopped collecting entrance fees. That can change, so check the park's website before you go.
Are campgrounds open during a government shutdown?
Some are. Parks that keep part of their entrance fees can use that money for basic services such as campgrounds, trash pickup and law enforcement. Campgrounds run by private companies may also stay open. Confirm your reservation first.
Is it safe to visit a national park during a shutdown?
It can be, but with fewer rangers, help takes longer in an emergency, and roads may not be plowed or cleared. Stay on marked trails, carry what you need, and pack out your trash.
Is Yellowstone, Zion or Acadia open during a shutdown?
In the 2025 shutdown many large parks, such as Acadia, stayed open with limited services. But each park decides for itself, so check its official page before you travel.