There are things you can always do to be a respectful visitor to America’s national parks, like knowing and following park rules. For example, most national parks request that visitors stay on designated trails, don’t feed wildlife, and restrict dogs to certain areas and keep them always on leash.
But what about when America’s national parks are experiencing a government shutdown or staffing crisis, like the mass federal firings that began 2025? How can you ensure the safety of the park and yourself?
During the government shutdown overseen by President Trump in early 2019, national parks were forced to stay open with limited staff. The results were dire–restrooms shuttered, trash cans overflowing, wildlife endangered (many from consuming trash), precious resources like archaeological sites and rare plants damaged, and park visitors left with no protection or assistance during emergencies.
The same will happen again if national parks are understaffed due to budget or staffing cuts. America’s national parks may be harmed by some of their less respectful visitors.
But you don’t have to be one of these visitors. Here are ways to be a respectful park visitor during staffing shortages.
When a park is experiencing limited staffing or visitor center closures, there may not be as many resources to help you once you arrive. National park websites can provide updates on any closures or alerts you need to be aware of, and they can also tell you about the park’s main attractions, campgrounds, and other essentials for planning your trip. Know what you’d like to see and do before you arrive.
If you can help it, don’t visit national parks during their busiest hours, days of the week, or seasons. Try to avoid the crowded spots as well. This is to your benefit as well as that of the park; who wants to be in long lines or crowds?
There may still be long lines and crowds any time you are visiting a large national park, so be prepared. Pack extra food, water, medicine, sunscreen, and toilet paper or other essentials, in case of waiting but also in case there are fewer facilities or employees who might once have provided those resources.
4. Pack out what you bring in
Bring trash bags, and take your trash with you. One of the major issues brought on by lack of staffing in any busy national park is trash collection. It takes staff to collect trash, and some parks may no longer have that staff. Be prepared to take your trash out with you when you leave.
And the more trash you take the better–if you’re visiting a national park and see a lot of litter, fill an extra bag or two. Trash is not just an eyesore; it can be hazardous for wild animals, as they may consume it.
Game idea: see who in your group can be the first to fill up their trash bag. This would be a great way to teach kids about the importance of caring for our public lands and wildlife.
5. Be prepared for no/limited restrooms
Everyone has to go, but one of the most staff-heavy needs in national parks is cleaning and maintaining restrooms. It may be that the park you visit is forced to leave bathrooms unattended or even shuttered because they don’t have the staff to maintain them. This is where you can again pack out your own waste.
There are products made for campers that are designed specifically for packing out human feces. While not a pleasant topic, it is one that should be addressed before you visit a crowded park that may have limited facilities.
Have a WAG bag or two in your vehicle just in case. Also, Blue Ridge National Parkway created a cute video on how to dig a proper cathole, and I wrote an entire essay on how to poop responsibly in national parks.
6. Know who to contact in an emergency
Due to continuous budget cuts from Republican leadership, the number of national park law enforcement rangers was cut in half between 2010 and 2023. With more staffing cuts in early 2025, there now even fewer law enforcement park rangers. These are the folks who protect parks and what lives in them, including national landmarks, historic structures, wildlife, plant life, and park visitors.
If you see someone damaging a national park, by all means contact the nearest park ranger, but if there are no rangers available, call 911. The same applies if you or someone else are in danger while in a national park. Local law enforcement can and do work with national park rangers.
Also be aware that when you are without cell service in a national park, you are always taking on added risk. This applies even when parks are fully staffed; being out of phone contact might increase your risk of danger. Understand the risks you are taking and know that should something happen to you or others while in a national park, there may be few people to assist you and that assistance may take a long time to arrive.
If you are particularly concerned about emergencies, you could even take a wilderness first aid course or read my essay on what to bring to be extra prepared for wilderness medical needs.
7. What to do when you get home from your trip
After you’ve thrown out your trash and unpacked all the extra food, water, and medical supplies you brought, consider what you saw during your national park trip. Did the park(s) have adequate staffing, resources, or facilities? Was there something you would have liked to see better funded or maintained or another service you would have liked to have seen offered? Tell your representatives.
Call or write to your congresspeople. 5 Calls is a great app for getting started, and the National Park Conservation Association (NPCA) has scripts for what to say. If you are concerned for America’s national parks, consider joining a protest on their behalf, donating to an organization like the NPCA or the National Park Foundation that fights for parks, or reaching out to your social network in person or online to get active about supporting national parks. Check out this more detailed list of five ways to support national parks.
There are things you can do to help. Being a respectful visitor is just the start.
Inspired to support America’s national parks? Check out this more detailed list of five ways to support national parks.