Will National Parks Be Understaffed This Summer?
And should you postpone your trip?
If you’ve been following the news about national parks layoffs, you might be worried about your upcoming national park adventure.
As your trusted RV rental partner, we dug deeper into what’s actually happening at our customers’ favorite parks. And good news: popular national parks will be operating smoothly this summer, despite what you might have heard.
The Facts Behind the Headlines
Looking at the data for our customers’ most-visited national parks, we found a minimal reduction of just 60 employees out of 3,364 total staff—that’s only 1.8%. Even better, the National Park Service (NPS) is planning to increase seasonal staffing above 2024 levels!
Here’s what Outside Magazine helped clarify:
The NPS employs about 20,000 full-time and seasonal employees across all parks.
Only about 5% of the workforce has been affected by recent cuts, with most popular parks seeing less than 2% reduction.
Seasonal hiring is actually increasing by 1,350 employees over last year (7,700 vs. 6,350 seasonal staff).
No public safety employees have been cut.
What This Means for Your Visit
Remember that many campgrounds, gift shops, restaurants, and other visitor facilities are operated by third-party vendors and concessionaires, which aren’t affected by NPS staffing changes.
Most cuts are impacting behind-the-scenes positions like researchers, biologists, archaeologists, and ecologists rather than visitor services.
Staffing at Popular Parks
Here’s a breakdown of the minimal impact at national parks our customers love most:
Yellowstone: 7 out of 800 staff (<1%)
Grand Teton: 16 out of 360 staff (4.4%)
Glacier: 2 out of 480 staff (<0.5%)
Grand Canyon: 10 out of 1,100 staff (<1%)
Zion: 11 out of 164 staff (6.7%)
Bryce Canyon: 2 out of 180 staff (1%)
Arches: 3 out of 50 staff (6%)
Capitol Reef: 1 out of 50 staff (2%)
Canyonlands: 3 out of 50 staff (6%)
Petrified Forest: 3 out of 50 staff (6%)
Saguaro: 2 out of 80 staff (2.5%)
These numbers don’t include the anticipated increase in seasonal staffing or third-party employees who help keep visitor services running smoothly.
The Silver Lining
Here’s an insider tip: because some travelers might be deterred by misleading headlines, you could experience fewer crowds at these magnificent parks this summer! With proper staffing levels maintained for visitor services and possibly reduced crowds, summer 2025 might be the perfect time for your national park adventure.
Ready to book your RV and experience America's natural wonders? Contact us today to secure your Blacksford RV rental and start planning your unforgettable national park journey!