Will a Government Shutdown Cancel Your National Park Trip?

If you’ve been counting down the days to your national park trip, the last thing you want to hear is talk of a possible government shutdown. It’s stressful to wonder if your hard-earned vacation plans might unravel and whether you should cancel your trip.

Anymore, it feels like this issue rears its ugly head at least twice a year, and every time, people take to various National Park Facebook groups to ask, “Should I cancel my trip?” I wish there were a clear and concise answer to this question. Without getting super political, the United States budget negotiations are a high-stakes game of chicken, and it could go one of several ways. Nothing is certain until 12:01 a.m. on the day after the current funding bill runs out.

The uncertainty can feel overwhelming, but take a deep breath there are options. In this article, I’ll walk you through what typically happens to national parks during a government shutdown, what stays open, what usually closes, and how you can prepare so your adventure doesn’t get derailed.

Should You Cancel Your National Park Trip Due to a Looming Shutdown?

There’s no simple yes or no here. It depends on where you’re headed, how much risk you’re comfortable with, and how bummed you’d be if plans had to change.

Me? I wouldn’t cancel a trip just because of a possible shutdown. Most of the time, a deal gets made before things grind to a halt. Still, I’d always have a Plan B. The good news is that almost every National Park has a State Park within about an hour’s drive, and state parks are almost always open.

Shutdowns have looked very different over the years. Sometimes it’s full closures with barriers at monuments. Other times it’s been a free-for-all, like we saw in 2018–2019. The truth? We won’t know exactly what this one looks like until it happens.

That said, some places are safer bets. If you’re going to the Grand Canyon, you’re in luck. Arizona usually steps in to fund the basics because the park is so important to their tourism industry.

Utah does the same for its Mighty Five National Parks. They pay to keep the parks open, then send the federal government a bill (which never gets paid). Utah complains, threatens to stop, but in the end, they fund the parks during the following shutdown.

What Happens to National Parks During a Government Shutdown?

The National Park Service (NPS) is primarily funded through annual congressional appropriations. When Congress fails to pass a budget, the agency cannot operate normally. Like all federal agencies, the NPS is required to scale back operations until funding is restored. What that looks like depends on the shutdown.

Typically, only “essential” services such as law enforcement and fire protection continue. “Non-essential” services like visitor centers, ranger programs, campgrounds, and facility maintenance are usually suspended.

• During the 2013 shutdown, most national parks closed entirely, with locked gates and no access.
• During the 2018–2019 shutdown, many parks technically stayed open, but with no staff to manage them, leading to overflowing trash, closed restrooms, and safety concerns.

Concessionaire-run campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, and other services generally follow NPS’s lead. If a park is kept open, most will continue operating and try to pick up some of the slack. If the park is officially closed and gates are locked, they will close too.

Ultimately, whether national parks close completely or remain partially open depends on both federal guidance and park-level decisions.

When do Goverment Shutdowns typically occur?

Since 1995, there have been 10 government shutdowns. You might think they’d usually happen at the start of the federal fiscal year on October 1, but only two actually did. December has been the most common month, with four shutdowns. Others have popped up in November, January, February, and March.

Shutdowns have ranged from 1 to 35 days, with the average lasting about 9 days.

👉 Here’s a quick snapshot of every shutdown since 1995:

What Typically Closes and Stays Open During a Goverment Shutdown in the National Parks?

A government shutdown doesn’t affect every park the same way, which is why the question “Will national parks close?” doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. Here’s what you can generally expect:

What Usually Stays Open

• State-run areas inside or near national parks (like Redwoods State Parks in California) typically remain open as normal.
• Trails, overlooks, and scenic roads often stay accessible, especially if they don’t require daily staffing or are part of roads NPS can’t close—for example, overlooks along U.S. Route 441 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• Essential services like emergency medical care and law enforcement continue to operate.

What Usually Closes

• Visitor centers and ranger stations are usually shuttered.
• NPS-managed campgrounds and lodging may close, though concessionaire-run hotels and stores often remain open.
• Restrooms, trash collection, and maintenance are typically suspended, which can quickly impact safety and cleanliness. (Sometimes local “Friends of the Park” groups provide funding or volunteers to keep a few services going.)

Why It Varies by Park

Each superintendent decides how to manage their park with limited staff and no budget.

• In 2013, nearly all parks closed outright.
• In 2018–2019, many parks stayed technically “open,” but without staff, leading to overflowing trash, damaged resources, and safety concerns.

Traveler Takeaways

• Don’t assume your park will operate normally—always check the park’s official website and social media for updates.
• Be prepared for limited facilities: bring extra water, food, and a restroom backup plan.
• Expect cancellations if you booked campgrounds or tours run by the NPS.
• Have a backup plan at nearby state parks, which aren’t affected by federal goverment shutdowns.

Can You Still Visit a National Park During a Shutdown?

The short answer? Sometimes. During a shutdown, many parks are technically “open but unsupervised.” Roads and trails may remain accessible, but without rangers, maintenance crews, or support staff, your visit can feel very different than normal.

The Reality of “Open but Unsupported”

• No trash pickup or restroom cleaning → expect overflowing bins or locked facilities.
• Limited or no emergency response → law enforcement and basic first aid may still be available, but search-and-rescue teams and visitor support are reduced.
• Safety concerns → icy roads, storm damage, or fire hazards may not be addressed quickly.
• Legal gray areas → some closures are enforced, others ignored, and rules may shift mid-trip.

Why It Varies by Park

Each superintendent decides how to handle shutdown restrictions. Some lock gates entirely, while others leave roads and trails open but pull all services. For example:

• In the 2018–2019 shutdown, Zion and Yosemite allowed entry but struggled with trash and restroom issues.
• By contrast, places like Statue of Liberty National Monument closed completely.

Shutdown Travel Advice

If you’re asking, “Can you visit national parks during a shutdown?” the answer is: yes—but expect a very different experience. Always:

• Check official updates → follow your park’s website and social media for current info.
• Bring your own supplies → extra food, water, toilet paper, and a plan for managing trash.
• Have a backup plan → nearby state or local parks won’t be affected by federal shutdowns.

👉 Find the latest park status updates on the NPS website

National Park Shutdown FAQs

Will I Get a Refund if the Park Is Closed?

It depends on several factors. If you’ve purchased an annual pass for your trip, there won’t be a refund. However, NPS services, such as campgrounds and ranger-led tours, are typically refunded if they’re canceled due to a shutdown. Concessionaire-run services, like hotels, restaurants, or tours inside the park, usually offer refunds or credits if the parks become inaccessible.

Airbnb, Vrbo, and nearby lodges outside park boundaries aren’t directly affected by federal operations. Their cancellation policies are set by the provider, so you’ll need to check with them directly.

Are state parks affected by the federal shutdown?

State parks are not affected by a federal government shutdown. They’re funded and managed by their individual state governments, not the National Park Service or other federal agencies. So even if a shutdown closes or limits access to national parks, state parks stay open as usual.

What if I already have a campground reservation?

It depends on who your booking is with and whether the site actually closes during the shutdown. If it’s an NPS/Forest Service site booked on Recreation.gov:

• Park/campground closes: Your reservation is typically automatically canceled and refunded (including waived cancellation fees). Keep an eye on your email and account for notices.
• Park stays “open” but services stop (no cleaning/trash): Your booking may still be valid. You can usually cancel yourself. Fee waivers are sometimes announced, but not guaranteed.

Can I hike if the park gates are open?

This is a bit of a legal gray area and depends on the shutdown. Generally, if you can reach the trailhead without passing any closure signs, you’re allowed to hike. Trails don’t automatically close just because rangers are furloughed.

• Open access, limited support: You’ll likely be able to enter trailheads and hike, but there won’t be rangers on duty to provide maps, advice, or safety checks.
• No maintenance: Trail hazards like downed trees, icy sections, or rockslides may not be cleared.
• Safety risks: Emergency response is minimal. Law enforcement remains, but search-and-rescue teams are reduced or unavailable.
• Facilities closed: Restrooms, trash bins, and parking lot services may be locked or unmaintained.

I was in Redwood National Park during a shutdown and hadn’t been paying attention to the news. I showed up for a sunrise hike, completely unaware. On my way back to the car, a ranger arrived to close the parking lot. I got a reprimand and was sent on my way.

Will annual park passes still work?

Yes, your America the Beautiful annual pass (or senior, military, 4th grader, etc.) is still valid during a shutdown. If park entrances are staffed and collecting fees, your pass will cover admission as usual.

If a park is completely closed (gates locked), your pass won’t override the closure.

Conclusion

A government shutdown doesn’t always cancel your national park trip, but it can change what’s available. While some states like Utah and Arizona have historically kept their national parks open during shutdowns, many parks operate with reduced services, think closed visitor centers, shuttered campgrounds, and no staffed restrooms.

The good news is that trails, overlooks, and open-air spaces often remain accessible. Before you make the decision to cancel your trip, check the latest park alerts and have a backup plan in place. By staying flexible and informed, you can still enjoy your national park adventure, even if a government shutdown changes the experience.

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