National parks are experiencing record low staffing levels due to a significant loss of permanent employees since early 2017. With national park interest surging to 331.9 million recreation visitors in 2024, travelers are encountering unusually crowed conditions during peak summer seasons. Challenges include limited park services such as reduced ranger-led programs, constrained visitor center hours, and inadequate maintenance of facilities like restrooms and trash collection. Visitors should anticipate a mix of crowds and logistical challenges when planning trips to national parks in the coming months.
"According to the National Parks Conservation Association, the National Park Service has lost nearly one-quarter of its permanent staff since the Trump administration took office in January. This is a record low for staff numbers over the past two decades, and it comes at a trying time."
"Summer is peak season, and current data and on-the-ground reports confirm high-season travel to U.S. national parks in mid-2025 has been unusually crowded. Travelers planning national park getaways for late summer into fall 2025 should be prepared for a mix of large crowds, limited services, and more logistics than usual."
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