How to help the national parks (and their staff) right now
- Madeleine
- 2 days ago
- 11 min read
If you’ve visited a national park recently, you may have noticed something feels a little different. Maybe it was the line at the entrance being longer than expected. Maybe the visitor center was closed when it shouldn’t have been. Maybe there were fewer rangers around, or a program you were excited about wasn’t running that day. You might have noticed more trash piled up or bathrooms less clean than normal.
Individually, these things can feel small, and perhaps easy to brush off as one-off anomalies. But it’s not.
Our national parks are under a lot of pressure right now. Visitation is incredibly high, and at the same time, staffing and funding have taken a significant hit. The people who care for these places are being asked to do more with less, and that discrepancy is starting to show in ways that visitors can actually feel.
Now, I want to be super clear: This post isn’t about guilting anyone into doing anything. I just want to equip everyone with the tools to be the best visitors possible because protecting our parks is on all of us.
TL;DR: How to support national parks
Here are some of the most impactful ways to help:
Visit during off-peak times if you can
Pick up after yourself and any trash you see
Plan ahead and come prepared
Follow park rules and respect closures
Leave wildlife completely alone
Practice Leave No Trace
Be kind and patient with park staff
Attend ranger programs and learn park history
Volunteer or support park nonprofits
Call your representatives to advocate for funding and resources
If you want the deeper context behind all of this, keep reading.
Why our national parks are struggling
2025 was a hard year for the National Park Service to say the least. There was a series of federal workforce reductions, hiring freezes, and buyouts that led to a significant loss of staff across the entire system. You might have heard people refer to these broadly as the “DOGE cuts” or the “Valentine’s Day massacre.”
They didn’t just cut seasonal roles or temporary positions; these were experienced staff who had been doing this work for years. Rangers, scientists, maintenance teams, educators, and cultural resource specialists. The people who keep parks running on a day-to-day basis and the people who protect these places long-term.
Since early 2025, the National Park Service has lost roughly a quarter of its workforce, which comes out to more than 4,000 employees. When that many people leave a system all at once, it causes serious, serious issues.
And we can see it in really tangible ways. Maintenance gets delayed, trails don’t get the same level of care, visitor centers reduce hours or close altogether, programs get cut, emergency response times can be impacted, and more. The work just gets redistributed to fewer people, and that causes things to break down.
But at the same time, visitation hasn’t slowed down. Several parks hit record high visitation last year alone. We need more staff, not less.
By the numbers
To really understand the strain parks are under, it helps to look at the numbers together instead of in isolation.
323+ million visits to national parks in 2025, which is near record highs (plus several parks did hit record visitation). Source: NPS
Roughly 4,000+ National Park Service employees cut (~25% of the workforce) since 2025. Source: NPCA
Proposed 2027 budget includes ~25% cut to park operations funding. Source: NPCA
Proposed 70% cuts to construction and maintenance funding. Source: NPCA
National parks also generate billions of dollars each year for local economies. Entire communities depend on them for tourism and jobs. So, when you look at all of this together, the issues become really clear (and scary). More people are visiting than ever before, and the system supporting those visitors has fewer resources to manage that demand. This means this visitor experience is impacted, but above all, the land feels the biggest impact.
Future threats to national parks
The proposed 2027 budget is terrifying. A cut of around 25% to park operations would force parks to make difficult decisions about what they can realistically continue to offer. That could mean shorter hours, fewer staff on site, reduced programming, and less capacity to maintain infrastructure.
The proposed cuts to construction and maintenance funding are just as concerning. Parks already have a significant maintenance backlog of about $22–23 billion. You read that right. BILLION.
I don’t think many people understand that the national parks aren’t just forests and trails. There are so many buildings, roads, and places that require constant maintenance that preserve historical artifacts and sites as well. Important scientific work is done in the parks.
We also have to understand and acknowledge that this isn’t all happening in a silo. There are also broader threats to public lands happening at the same time. Reduced staffing across other land management agencies, cuts to conservation programs, and ongoing political pressure on environmental protections all play a role here. Policies like the Endangered Species Act are frequently part of these conversations, and any weakening of those protections has ripple effects across ecosystems that national parks are part of.
How to support national parks right now
The good news is that there are a lot of ways to show up and help. Some are bigger, like advocacy. Others are small shifts in behavior that add up over time.
None of this is about being perfect or doing literally everything on this list. That's just not possible. Just be intentional with your actions and do your best.
Hot take: Consider delaying or adjusting your visit
Okay, I’m going to say what everyone doesn’t want to hear. And it’s nuanced, I know.
If you can swing it, I highly recommend delaying your national park visit to a different time. Yes, our parks still need visitors, and the local economies rely on tourism. Of course. I’m not advocating that everyone just stop showing up. But what I am saying is that the biggest, most immediately impactful thing we can do to help reduce strain on the remaining staff and resources is to just give them a break. Give the land a break, too! Temporarily.
Here's what I propose instead:
Visit nearby state parks or local attractions instead. For example, visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park instead of Joshua Tree National Park.
Visit the lesser-known parks and sites instead of the heavy-hitters. For example, swap your visit to Mt. Rainier National Park for a trip to North Cascades National Park.
Visit during off-peak times and shoulder seasons. I know everyone wants to visit Mt. Rainier National Park during peak wildflower season, but I cannot say enough incredible things about visiting the park in the fall. The colors are stunningly vibrant and there are far less crowds. And the heat has dissipated, so it’s nice and crisp outside without the threat of it being too cold. You might be surprised by how amazing certain areas can be in the off-season.
Pick up after yourself
This is one of the simplest things you can do, and it has a bigger impact than most people realize. Every piece of trash left behind is something someone else has to deal with later. When staffing is limited, that often falls on already overworked crews or volunteers. Trash also impacts wildlife and ecosystems long-term.
Packing out everything you bring in, including food scraps and smaller items like wrappers or bottle caps, goes a long way. If you have the capacity to pick up a little extra trash along the way, that helps even more. Bring an extra bag, maybe some gloves, and leave each place better than you found it.
Plan ahead and prepare
A lot of the strain on park staff comes from situations that could have been prevented with a little planning. Try to be as self-sufficient as possible! You want to basically be invisible to the staff.
Search and rescue operations, medical emergencies, and people getting lost or stuck in unsafe conditions all require staff time and resources. When parks are already short-staffed, those situations become even harder to manage.
Before you go, take time to check trail conditions, look at weather forecasts, and make sure you have the gear you need. Knowing the park rules ahead of time also helps avoid situations where staff have to step in and intervene.
Be kind to park staff
Okay, this one feels small, but it really matters. Park staff are often dealing with long hours, limited resources, and frustrated visitors. They’re also the ones who have to enforce rules or communicate closures that they didn’t personally decide on. It’s not easy being the “bad guy.” A little patience and kindness can go a long way. Saying thank you, being respectful, and recognizing the work they’re doing helps create a better environment for everyone involved.
You can also write thank you notes both in-person and virtually! Take a look at this sweet note one of my followers hands out to park staff when he and his wife visit. You can also submit virtual thank-you notes through NPCA here.
Follow the rules
Again, this might be another "duh" moment, but it's important. Park rules exist for a reason. They are based on safety, conservation, and long-term preservation. Ignoring trail closures, going off-trail, or not following fire restrictions can cause real damage. It also creates additional work for staff who have to respond to those situations or repair the impact afterward. Following the rules is one of the easiest ways to support the work that’s already being done.
Practice Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is the foundation of responsible recreation. When hundreds of millions of people visit parks every year, even these small things can add up quickly. Following these principles helps protect ecosystems, reduce long-term damage, and preserve the experience for others.
Plan ahead and prepare: We covered this piece above, but this is all about knowing the rules, conditions, and what you need before you go
Travel and camp on durable surfaces: Stick to trails and established campsites to avoid damaging ecosystems
Dispose of waste properly: Pack out all trash and leave no trace of your visit
Leave what you find: Don’t take natural or cultural items. Leave them for others to experience. Don’t carve your name into trees or sandstone, don’t stack rocks, etc. Just leave things untouched.
Minimize campfire impacts: Use a stove when possible and follow fire regulations
Respect wildlife: Observe from a distance and never feed animals
Be considerate of others: Share the space and protect everyone’s experience
Just be mindful of your impact and make choices that minimize it.
Leave wildlife alone
Before you roll your eyes at this one, just know that wildlife interactions are one of the most common issues parks deal with, and they are almost always preventable. If you’ve been to Mt. Rainier National Park, you’ve probably seen people feeding marmots. You’ve probably also heard the horror stories of people getting mauled by bison at Yellowstone National Park.
Not only does this put you at risk, but feeding animals or getting too close can change their behavior in ways that put them at risk as well. In some cases, animals that become too habituated to humans have to be relocated or euthanized.
Keeping your distance and respecting wildlife protects the animals and reduces the need for staff intervention.
Attend ranger programs
Ranger programs are an important part of how parks educate visitors and build connection to these places. They’re also one of the first things to be cut when staffing is cut. Attending these programs helps show that they matter and supports their continuation. They look at attendance numbers when making decisions to axe certain things.
They also make your experience better! You walk away with a deeper understanding of the place you’re in, which naturally leads to more care and respect for it.
Spend money locally
Stimulating the local economy helps park staff because they live there! Their children go to school there, their partners work there, and they live their lives there. The more we can shop small and support local, the better!
Eat at a local restaurant on your way in or out
Grab a beer at a local brewery or bar
Buy souvenirs at local shops
Purchase guidebooks and maps locally
Grab your groceries and firewood at the local store
Learn the history of the land
All national parks exist on Indigenous land. These places hold thousands of years of history that existed long before they were designated as parks. In many cases, Indigenous communities were forcibly removed from these lands. That history is still present, and many communities continue to maintain deep cultural and spiritual connections to these places.
Taking the time to learn that history and to seek out information from Indigenous perspectives adds an important layer of context to your visit.
Volunteer
Volunteers play a huge role in supporting national parks. They help with trail work, restoration projects, education programs, and more. In many cases, they help fill gaps that exist because of staffing shortages. Volunteers can never replace experienced full-time staff, but they can certainly help reduce the strain on them.
If you have the time and ability to volunteer, it’s one of the most direct ways to contribute.
If you see something, say something
Most of us who have visited national parks have seen people violating park rules or just being disrespectful to the land/wildlife/etc. If you see this in the future (and feel safe doing so), I highly encourage that you speak up and say something. I will oftentimes remind people who have stepped off-trail at Mt. Rainier National Park that it's not allowed. Sometimes, people ignore you and continue the poor behavior. But sometimes, people genuinely didn't know or were unaware of certain rules.
Give folks the benefit of the doubt and approach it in a kind way, and they'll most likely stop whatever bad behavior they're doing. And if all else fails, you can always tell a white lie—tell them a ranger is around the corner and they could catch a fine for doing what they're doing. Works like a charm!
Show up IRL
There are lots of ways to help make change in-person. Check locally to see what's happening near you!
Attend town halls and public meetings where land management decisions are discussed.
Participate in rallies and marches to show public support for conservation funding.
Support helpful organizations
Nonprofits play a critical role in supporting national parks, especially when funding is limited. Organizations like the National Parks Conservation Association and the National Park Foundation help fund conservation work, infrastructure projects, and advocacy efforts.
Local organizations, like the Washington National Park Fund, often support specific parks and projects in your region. Definitely take some time to research what local organizations support your favorite national parks and try to support them as well.
Call your representatives
If you want to support national parks at a systemic level, this is one of the most impactful things you can do. Funding decisions and policy changes shape what parks are able to do long-term. Reaching out to your representatives and advocating for park funding and protections helps address the root of the issue.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Even a simple call or message expressing support for national parks can make a difference.
If you don’t know where to start, I highly recommend checking out 5calls.org. They have a ton of information about the current issues facing our national parks and public lands more broadly, with really easy-to-use scripts and phone numbers to follow.
I know it’s scary to pick up the phone and to call, but it’s worth it (and it’s less scary than you think when you actually do it). I hate talking on the phone, so trust me when I say: If I can do it, you can do it!
We’ve seen this kind of pressure work before, too. We used our voices to oppose land being sold off in the Big Beautiful Bill of 2025 and submitted thousands upon thousands of public comments supporting the Roadless Rule (and opposing its removal). Your voice matters.
Use your reach online
The way people talk about the outdoors shapes how others experience it. Sharing accurate information, promoting responsible recreation, and talking about what’s happening in our parks helps shift culture in a positive direction. If you have a platform, no matter how big or small, you can use it to reinforce these values.
Follow the national parks on social media
Online support might seem like a vanity metric, but it really does matter.
Here are the ONLY official National Park social media pages:
As a reminder, the parody national park TikTok pages are fake and not associated with the official National Park Service. Please do not follow them.
Final thoughts
This isn’t an exhaustive list, and it’s not meant to be. There are so many ways to support national parks, and not all of them will be accessible to everyone. There are also larger systemic issues at play that we can’t control as individuals.
But there are things we can control. We can be more intentional about how we show up. We can pay attention. We can care. And every action (even the tiny ones) adds up.
Protecting national parks is something we all share and help with, whether we realize it or not. We’re all doing our best to navigate what’s happening right now. And even small actions, taken collectively, can make a real difference.
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