National Park Week kicked off on April 19 with free admission to every site in the National Park System and a week of programming to celebrate these special places. As people start to make their summer plans, many national park visitors will have questions beyond which sites to see or which trail to hike. After a record year for visitorship, February’s federal layoffs hit the National Park Service hard, raising concerns about what kind of experience people can expect this summer. The short answer: You can and should visit national parks, but pack your patience along with your sunscreen. Here's what you need to know.
Are national parks open?
Despite staffing uncertainty, the Department of the Interior has made it clear parks will remain accessible. A directive issued April 3 mandates that parks stay open with posted hours upheld and any changes reviewed at the top. The goal is to preserve access and maintain service, even as the agency recovers.
That said, you may notice some gaps—fewer rangers on-site, longer lines at visitor centers or slower updates to park alerts. But behind the scenes, things are improving. The 1,000 probationary staff terminated in February were reinstated after a court ruling, and hiring for seasonal positions is underway.
Should I visit national parks right now?
Yes. The parks need visitors, and gateway communities—towns and businesses that depend on park tourism—need your support.
"It's a perfect time to visit national parks, to show your support for public lands in this country and our shared appreciation for the stories they share," said Elizabeth Silkes, CEO of Grand Canyon Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park. "This is a moment to lean into what time spent in nature provides us, and it's also a moment for a new kind of questioning when we are in these spaces: What is our role in protecting them? What can we do to better amplify their needs?"
For the best experience, be sure to plan ahead. The National Park Service website offers real-time updates and planning tools, including a "Plan Like a Park Ranger" section and weather alerts. The free NPS app is also essential—you can download maps and guides before you go in case you lose service.
National Park week is a great time to visit a national park, but it's also a good time to plan ahead for a summer trip. Your visits are important to help sustain these places. But remember to go with realistic expectations, knowing that things might be a little rough around the edges this year. The parks are still some of the most beautiful, meaningful public spaces in the country, and right now they need you more than ever.