List of National Park Service Sites With Closed Facilities, Cancelled Tours Due to Staffing Shortages

After a thousand probationary National Park Service (NPS) employees were laid off during Valentine’s Day weekend, many parks are now grappling with the consequences and challenges of having fewer staff.

A reduced workforce, combined with a federal hiring freeze and the delayed hiring of thousands of essential seasonal NPS workers, can and will result in forced closures in several parks. In fact, it is already happening.

Each park is different, though, and it’s up to the park’s own management to determine how to deal with this. In some parks, certain facilities may be closed temporarily or specific services cancelled, while other parks may close entirely on certain days of the week.

List of National Park Service Sites With Closed Facilities, Cancelled Tours Due to Staffing Shortages

Below, you’ll find an overview of the National Park Service sites that have had to close facilities and/or cancel tours due to lack of staff.

Please note that things change on an almost daily basis, and I try to keep this as up to date as possible. This information is current as of March 15, 2025.

It is based on information that’s available on individual park websites, official park Facebook accounts, alerts on Recreation.gov, as well as reports and updates from park rangers that are not available publicly online.

For planning purposes, I highly recommended checking park websites for more detailed (or new) information.

National Parks With Closures or Cancellations (9)

Arches National Park, Utah

• Fiery Furnace closed to all uses (temporarily)

One of the most popular hikes in Utah’s famed Arches National Park closes to all uses on March 23.

“No ranger-led tours nor self-guided permits will be issued until further notice,” the park posted in a brief message on its website.

An anonymous Arches National Park staff member confirmed that this is due to a staffing shortage and the closure will likely be lifted once seasonal workers arrive. In the meantime, Fiery Furnace will be closed preemptively to protect its delicate ecosystem.

Visit the Arches website for more information about current conditions.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

• 2 of 3 campgrounds closed until further notice

Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will keep two of its three campgrounds closed until further notice, rather than just for winter. This closure applies to the North Rim Campground and East Portal Campground.

The South Rim Campground is currently still closed for winter but may open this spring.

Additionally, it’s also worth mentioning that Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has no water well. It needs its water to be delivered and there’s currently no one to do that. I’ve learned from a trusted source that the park is currently working on filling this position with a commercially licensed driver.

Visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison website for more information about current conditions.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

• All guided cave tours cancelled

In New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a lack of qualified rangers has led to the cancellation of all guided cave tours (Lower Cave, Kings Cave, and Slaughter Canyon). “We regret any inconvenience,” a message on the Recreation.gov reservation page says.

As of March 23, the park has also cancelled its 8:30 a.m. self-guided cave tours. Additionally, the park’s visitor center hours have been reduced; it’s now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit the Carlsbad Caverns website for more information about current conditions.

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

• Lehman Caves tours no longer reservable in advance
• Visitor Centers closed or operating on reduced hours

Nevada’s Great Basin National Park is known for its stellar night skies, ancient bristlecone pine trees, and spectacular cave system.

While visitors were previously encouraged to reserve their Lehman Caves tour tickets well in advance, these tours are now available only on a first-come first-served basis. Visitors should be aware that tours can be cancelled due to staff shortages.

“Until further notice, all tours of Lehman Caves are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please inquire about ticket availability at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center information desk. Existing reservations will be honored,” the reservation page on Recreation.gov says.

According to KTNV Las Vegas, “[a]s of Feb. 14th, Great Basin has five fewer employees to run operations that oversee the park’s unique features than it did just over a week ago.”

On top of that, the Great Basin Visitor Center, which is usually open five days a week, remains closed until further notice. The park’s Lehman Caves Visitor Center currently operates on reduced hours, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day.

Visit the Great Basin website for more information about current conditions.

Denali National Park, Alaska

• All Denali Youth Camps cancelled

In Alaska’s iconic Denali National Park, the termination of the NPS Education Program Manager has led to the cancellation of all Denali Youth Camps in 2025.

This information comes from a press release from the Denali Education Center (DEC), which has been a non-profit partner of Denali National Park and Preserve since 1989.

In its statement, the DEC said that “[d]ue to recent staffing changes within NPS, DEC can no longer ensure the safety of campers or uphold the program’s mission. The sudden termination of key probationary staff has left critical supervisory gaps, preventing the full staffing necessary to run these programs safely.”

“We are devastated by these cancellations, but even more so by the firing of our NPS Education Program Manager,” said Jodi Rodwell, DEC’s Executive Director.

“Her unexpected termination suggested poor performance, but her work was exemplary—she stepped into the role after a 12-year veteran left last year. She was terminated on Feb. 14 along with some other probationary employees in Denali. She worked tirelessly with us to ensure the success, safety, and enjoyment of our youth programs in the park that reach school-aged children from grades 1 – 12. We are crushed that she has been indiscriminately let go.”

Visit the Denali website for more information about current conditions.

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

• Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

At Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, the oldest federally protected park in the United States, the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum “will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, beginning Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The adjusted visitor center operating hours will be Thursday – Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until further notice” the park announced on Facebook.

The Fordyce Bathhouse is one of eight historic bathhouses on Bathhouse Row in downtown Hot Springs. It’s one of the highlights of this unique urban national park, a place to talk to rangers, join ranger programs, get maps and information, and tour the beautifully refurnished 100-year-old bathhouse.

Visit the Hot Springs website for more information about current conditions.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California

• Visitor Centers and Museum closed at least two days a week
• All ranger programs cancelled

Of all 63 national parks, California’s Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks appear to have been hit the hardest with the NPS layoffs so far.

The twin parks had to close its two visitors center and a museum on certain days of the week, while all ranger programs are cancelled until further notice, the park’s website says.

Specifically, the Foothills Visitor Center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, the Kings Canyon Visitor Center is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and the Giant Forest Museum is closed on Wednesday and Thursdays.

So, people who’d like to visit all three facilities will have to plan their visit on Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday—the only three days when they’ll be open at the same time.

Visit the Sequoia and Kings Canyon website for more information about current conditions.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

• North Unit Visitor Center closed from Tuesday through Thursday

At North Dakota’s beautiful Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the North Unit Visitor Center shifted its opening days from seven days a week to only four days a week.

Until further notice, it is open only from Friday through Monday, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Visit the Theodore Roosevelt website for more information about current conditions.

Yosemite National Park, California

• Some campground reservations delayed
• Timed-Entry Reservation System suspended

After “delaying the sale of camping nights for five campgrounds (Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow),” which Yosemite National Park announced on its social media, the park posted another update in which it released a select number of campsites at three of those campgrounds.

The park said it will release campground reservations for Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, and sites 1-124 in Upper Pines on the following schedule:

-June 15 through July 14 arrivals: March 24
-July 15 through August 14 arrivals: March 31

These reservations will release at 7 am PDT on Recreation.gov.

Reservations for Lower Pines, North Pines, and certain sites at Upper Pines remain delayed until further notice.

“Yosemite National Park may release further sites if operational capacity allows. The park will again provide at least seven days’ advance notice via the park’s website and social media if additional reservations are released,” they said on Facebook.

Additionally, Yosemite National Park has also cancelled its timed-entry reservation system for the summer season (and beyond) until further notice.

Visit the Yosemite website for more information about current conditions.

National Monuments With Closures or Cancellations (3)

Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa

• Visitor Center closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays

At Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa, the park’s only visitor center will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays “until approximately May 4th.” All other days of the week, it will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Visit the Effigy Mounds website for more information about current conditions.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado

• Closed entirely on Mondays and Tuesdays

“Due to a lack of staffing, effective Monday, February 24, 2025, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays. There will be no access to the visitor center, trailhead parking or public restrooms. The monument is open 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Wednesday through Sunday,” the monument announced in a Facebook post.

Visit the Florissant Fossil Beds website for more information about current conditions.

Lava Beds National Monument, California

• Visitor Center hours reduced on Wednesdays

“Starting Wednesday, March 19th, the visitor center will be open from 11:30am – 4:00pm on Wednesdays. The remainder of the week the visitor center hours will remain 9:30am – 4:00pm,” Lava Beds National Monument posted on its Facebook page.

Visit the Lava Beds website for more information about current conditions.

National Historic Sites With Closures or Cancellations (3)

Fort Scott National Historic Site, Kansas

• Visitor Center closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays

Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas “is operating with less than 50% of its normal staffing levels,” Matthew Wells, president of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, as reported by Fort Scott Biz.

“This has led to multiple-day closures of the park, a drastic cancellation of all interpretive programs, and a significant reduction in staff-led tours and educational events, that have historically been at the heart of this site’s appeal,” he said.

One of the results of Fort Scott’s staffing woes is the closure of its Visitor Center on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The park grounds remain open to the public from sunrise to sunset every day.

Visit the Fort Scott website for more information about current conditions.

Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, Virginia

• Public tours reduced to only Fridays and Saturdays

In Virginia, the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site has reduced its Public Tours of the historic house to Fridays and Saturdays only. This is down from five days a week previously.

Visit the Maggie L. Walker NHS website for more information about current conditions.

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, Colorado

• Eads Visitor and Education Center closed

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site’s Visitor and Education Center in Eads is closed until further notice due to insufficient staffing. The park’s staff recently dropped from eight to seven, while three vacant positions, including that of site manager, remain unfilled because of the federal hiring freeze.

“The Center for Sand Creek Massacre Studies is available for appointment only research requests,” the park posted on its website.

Visit the Sand Creek Massacre NHS website for more information about current conditions.

National Historical Parks With Closures or Cancellations (1)

Pullman National Historical Park, Illinois

At Chicago’s Pullman National Historical Park, the visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Wednesday through Sunday. It used to be open every day of the week.

Additionally, guided tours, which used to be offered on a daily basis, will also be reduced to Wednesday through Sunday at 1 p.m. All other education programs have been suspended indefinitely as well.

National Recreation Areas With Closures or Cancellations (2)

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Montana/Wyoming

• Wyoming Visitor Center closed all days

At the spectacular Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, which comprises areas in Montana and Wyoming, the “Visitor Center in Lovell, Wyoming is currently closed. However, the rest of the Recreation Area remains open and accessible for your enjoyment!” the park said on Facebook.

When this visitor center is open, visitors can explore “authentic historic exhibits about the ranches, Native American life and artifacts, as well as information about regional geology and geography, the river before the dam, and a large relief map of the park and surrounding areas. In addition to the bookstore, there is a small theater that includes various free programs about the wild horses, canyon geology, and other local interests.”

The park’s other visitor center, located in Fort Smith, Montana, remains closed for winter until May 27.

Visit the Bighorn Canyon website for more information about current conditions.

Curecanti National Recreation Area, Colorado

• 9 of 10 campgrounds closed until further notice

Curecanti National Recreation Area in Colorado has made the decision to close no fewer than nine of its ten campgrounds until further notice. The only available campsites in the park will be on Loops A and D of the Elk Creek Campground.

Curecanti is adjacent to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which has also closed two of its three campgrounds (see above).

Visit the Curecanti website for more information about current conditions.

Other NPS Sites With Closures or Cancellations (4)

Buffalo National River, Arkansas

• Buffalo Point Ranger Station closed

At the popular Buffalo National River in Arkansas, one ranger station has been closed indefinitely.

Typically closed only on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Buffalo Point Ranger Station is now “closed until further notice,” according to the park’s website. “We apologize for this inconvenience.”

Visit the Buffalo National River website for more information about current conditions.

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, Alabama

• Visitor Center closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Due to staffing shortages, the “Horseshoe Bend NMP Visitor Center will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays,” according to the park’s website. It will be open to the public from Wednesday through Sunday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The military park itself is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit the Horseshoe Bend website for more information about current conditions.

Stones River National Battlefield, Tennessee

• Visitor Center closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

As of March 9, the visitor center at Tennessee’s Stones River National Battlefield opens at 11 a.m. on Sundays and is closed entirely on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Park grounds remain open to visitors daily from sunrise to sunset.

Visit the Stones River website for more information about current conditions.

Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi

• Fee booth and Visitor Center closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

After more than 30% of its fulltime workforce was laid off during what has been called the “Valentine’s Day Massacre,” Vicksburg National Military Park decided to keep its fee booth and visitor center closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, The Vicksburg Post reported.

The article also noted that the visitor center had already been closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for the 2024-25 winter season due to staffing shortages. Now, with even fewer employees, the closure will be extended until further notice.

The park had also posted an urgent call for seasonal workers and volunteers on its Facebook page last week, a post that has since been removed.

Visit the Vicksburg NMP website for more information about current conditions.

This is a developing story and this overview will be updated as more national parks announce closures due to staffing issues.

How This May Impact Your National Park Visit

Depending on the individual park, these job cuts could have potentially serious consequences for your next national park visit.

In addition to the aforementioned closures, other possible ways this staff reduction may impact your national parks experience include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Longer traffic lines at park entrances
• Fewer ranger tours
• Dirty restrooms
• Overflowing trash bins
• Stalled construction projects
• Unmaintained trails
• Delayed search-and-rescue response

What You Can Do To Help

If you care about our national parks, their dedicated employees, and the peril they both find themselves in at the moment, there are a few things you can do to help.

The first, and arguably most important, action you can take is letting Congress know how seriously this is affecting hard-working, genuine, passionate, and qualified Americans—on both sides of the political aisle.

You can conveniently do that by filling out this form on the National Parks Conservation Association website.

Additionally, you can also contact your Senator or Representative directly. The best way to do that is through the 5 Calls app.

Other ways to help is by donating to conservation associations like the abovementioned National Parks Conservation Association, the National Park Foundation, or the National Forest Foundation.

In a more practical way, when visiting national parks and forests, always make sure to follow the seven Leave No Trace Principles. This is more important than ever, considering that public lands may have fewer staff available. Keep yourself safe, keep the landscape clean, leave the wildlife alone, and look out for other visitors as well.

Are you or do you know a National Park Service employee who was recently terminated? Did you recently visit a park and did you notice major issues? Feel free to reach out to us if you’d like to share your story. Please contact us via our Facebook page.