Planning on visiting any National Parks this summer?

[John in Santa Cruz]

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/0...rvice-00202098

the federal hiring freeze likely means the National Parks system will not be able to hire the 8000 or so seasonal workers they rely on to run the day to day aspects of the parks during camping season.

[ShelbyM]

And if parks are unable to operate the solution will be to sell them off. "Welcome to Capital One's Glacier (Memorial) NP. Entrance fee only $1000 and we'll be happy to finance that for you!" Consequences....

[FRED SMAILES]

From what I've read the National Parks are hugely popular these days. I would think the revenue that creates for and around them would be reason enough to make sure they have at least the bare minimum they need to operate.

[Iowa Dave]

I am considerably disheartened by the current turn of events. I am looking forward to the implementation of significant tariffs by the Chinese on American corn and soybeans. Much of midwestern farming is only about beak even at the current commodity levels. Let’s see what the reaction is when farmers cannot
Make a payment on a $900,000 Combine, $200,000 Tractor or $75,000 pickup. Something has to give and lunacy needs to abate. Trade wars are good for nobody.
Buy garden seeds now and check your stock of fruit jars, rings and lids.

I feel fortunate to have visited all the national parks that I have and to have the Escape where I can disperse camp. Now if we can afford the gasoline to get there we’ll be all set. Just my opinion
Iowa Dave

[jo berg]

Wise words! Iowa common sense!

[Gerry]

Years ago the goverment let all the campgrounds in the NH White Mountains National Forest go because they didn't have the staff to operate them and they put them out to bid to private entities. This past year, some of them had to close early due to them not being able to staff them. I remember when the feds ran them and they were run a lot better then that private co. did.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by jo berg

Wise words! Iowa common sense!

Not so much.

[ShelbyM]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

I am considerably disheartened by the current turn of events. I am looking forward to the implementation of significant tariffs by the Chinese on American corn and soybeans. Much of midwestern farming is only about beak even at the current commodity levels. Let’s see what the reaction is when farmers cannot
Make a payment on a $900,000 Combine, $200,000 Tractor or $75,000 pickup. Something has to give and lunacy needs to abate. Trade wars are good for nobody.
Buy garden seeds now and check your stock of fruit jars, rings and lids.

I feel fortunate to have visited all the national parks that I have and to have the Escape where I can disperse camp. Now if we can afford the gasoline to get there we’ll be all set. Just my opinion
Iowa Dave

Some good insight, thanks. Too bad Iowans chose to shoot themselves in the foot. Maybe FL will buy all their corn and beans....

[jerrybob]

Funny how so many threads become political nowadays....wonder why that is? We're fortunate to have already visited many Natioanl Parks...heck....I even bought a lifetime pass years ago for $10. Got my money's worth so I guess that is a good thing. Not sure my grandkids will ever see the National Parks like we did. Their National Park visits in future might include a tour of an oil refinery or natural gas plant. Seeing the Grand Canyon from the 25th floor of a large hotel and taking a Tesla to the bottom of the canyon instead of a mule will sure be different. At least they'll be able to play a nice golf course. LOL!

[jgilliam1955]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/0...rvice-00202098

the federal hiring freeze likely means the National Parks system will not be able to hire the 8000 or so seasonal workers they rely on to run the day to day aspects of the parks during camping season.

This is from a website that is paid by the USAid folks. along with the New York Times and others.
The fact is, I have been concerned about government spending for decades.
If it is not addressed soon, we may see ALL our social programs cut or removed.

[ShelbyM]

Originally Posted by jgilliam1955

This is from a website that is paid by the USAid folks. along with the New York Times and others.
The fact is, I have been concerned about government spending for decades.
If it is not addressed soon, we may see ALL our social programs cut or removed.

Facts matter and the freeze is a fact, no matter where it's reported. Another fact you may have missed is that US gov't spending is far lower, as a % of GDP than almost all other "advanced" countries. We are #24 of the 28 ranked. We also rank dead last in spending on social programs. You are probably right that our social programs are endangered by this bunch but it's not because of any financial necessity.https://www.epi.org/explorer/international

[Moehringe]

We live on the Yellowstone / GrandTeton “loop”. I can confirm the freeze is going to involve the NPS…. Also USFS, I assume BLM and seasonally hired firefighters. Pretty much impacts all programs that support preservation and recreation in federally supported programs mentioned and that I missed.
It will also seriously impact economy in many areas.
Kinda feels like COVID all over. 😞

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by jgilliam1955

This is from a website that is paid by the USAid folks. along with the New York Times and others.....

that claim is totally a red herring. many professionals subscribe to Politico Pro to keep up with political policy related notifications. Its quite expensive. They found subscriptions in MTG's office budget.

[doctoruv]

Too much reliance on the government! Did you see where USAID was spending our tax dollars. I am for the purge of wasteful spending and DEI programs. No good can come from that. It will leave more money for the parks.

[ShelbyM]

Originally Posted by doctoruv

Too much reliance on the government! Did you see where USAID was spending our tax dollars. I am for the purge of wasteful spending and DEI programs. No good can come from that. It will leave more money for the parks.

I'm afraid you are in for disappointment. As it stands now, parks won't even get their normal meager funding.