The current government shutdown impacts national parks and the services you would normally find. Here’s what you can expect at some parks during the fall.
The government shutdown hit right in the middle of fall hiking season, leaving thousands of travelers wondering if their national park trips were ruined. Here’s the reality: most parks stayed technically open, but with skeleton crews and almost no services. Visitor centers are locked up, permits aren’t being processed, and restrooms may or may not be available.
Some parks have services, others do not
Some parks like the Great Smoky Mountains lucked out with local funding to keep things running. Rocky Mountain is leaning hard on volunteers to pick up trash and answer basic questions. Golden Gate kept most trails open but closed half its facilities. If you’re still planning to go, you need to know what you’re walking into. Cell service is spotty at best, so downloaded maps are a must. Bring way more water than you think you’ll need since fountains are off. Pack out everything you pack in because there’s no trash service.
October 2025 park closures and information found online
Check each park’s website for daily updates because the situation changes fast. Some popular trailheads are completely unstaffed, which means more freedom but also more responsibility. Know basic wilderness safety before you head out. This isn’t the time for that ambitious solo backcountry trip unless you really know what you’re doing.
Visiting these parks during the shutdown might mean you have smaller crowds and more freedom, but because the national park services are closed, you are on your own and have to face danger without the support you might normally expect. The current government shutdown is making visiting national parks a bit of an unsafe adventure, but that’s really up to visitors to figure out what they should do. You might be better off waiting until next year to enjoy your fall hiking trip in the Great Smoky Mountains with services that are shut down during this unusual time.
Be kind to staff during the government shutdown of national parks
Many parks, like the Rocky Mountain National Park, have volunteers on staff to help and extremely limited park services, which means you have to be truly committed to your adventure to visit parks. If you happen to come across staff members and those trying to keep the park safe, it’s a good idea to be kind to them, even if they tell you to stop doing something that could be dangerous to you or other park visitors. You can still visit the parks you want to enjoy, but you’re on your own if you run into wildlife, and previous visitors might not be as conscientious as you and may have left a mess of litter all over the trails.
How can you stay safe during this government shutdown while visiting national parks?
You need to understand some safety items to ensure you stay safe on the trails. There aren’t any rescue vehicles coming to your aid, and you won’t see rangers that tell you what to avoid or the weather conditions. These commonsense safety tips can help you have a successful adventure during the shutdown.
Plan ahead
Trail maps and guides are readily available on park websites, and it’s a good idea to research your route to understand the trail. A printed copy of the trail maps might be good to have in case someone has messed with the trail signage.
Check the weather
It seems like a no-brainer, but you need to pay attention to the weather. It’s important to know what the weather in the area has been like for a few days before you visit the trail as well. If the park where you’ll be hiking has been hit by severe storms, some of the trails could have been washed away.
Bring everything you need and might need
Even if all you plan is a short, half-day hike, you should plan and pack like you might be in the area for a couple of days. That means bringing the Ten Essentials that can be found on various websites. During the government shutdown, the services normally offered at national parks aren’t available to you, which means if you get hurt or lost, you might be stuck in the area for a few days before emergency services can get to you.
You can go hiking in some of the most popular national parks during the government shutdown, but it’s important to understand that you won’t have the normal support and services that you expect. Prepare accordingly and stay safe out there.