Most national parks to remain open during shutdown, but with limited staffing

Published October 1, 2025 11:45am ET



The National Park Service said it plans to keep most national parks open amid the government shutdown, which began Tuesday at midnight, but restrictions will be in place due to limited staffing. 

The NPS released its contingency plans on Tuesday evening before the shutdown, saying, “Park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible to visitors.”

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.