Is the Government Going to Shut Down? National Parks and Public Services Impact in 2025

The United States government is facing the risk of a shutdown on October 1, 2025, if Congress fails to pass funding legislation before the September 30 deadline. This has raised concerns for travelers and federal employees alike. The main question for many is how a shutdown would affect national parks and other public services.

Officials have already prepared contingency plans for a possible funding lapse. These plans offer insight into how the National Park Service (NPS) and other agencies would respond if the government runs out of money.

National Parks Would Largely Close if the Government Shuts Down

According to contingency plans published by the Department of the Interior in March 2024, most national parks will close to the public if a government shutdown happens. The NPS says that during a lapse in appropriations, routine visitor services will stop, and parks will begin notifying visitors right away. If the shutdown starts on a weekday, parks would close the same day. If it starts over a weekend, they would stay open until the following Monday to allow for orderly closures.

Some exceptions exist. Park superintendents can decide whether special events already scheduled and authorized by permits can proceed if they don’t require NPS staff to monitor them. Essential services will continue, including law enforcement, emergency medical response, search and rescue, and protection of property and wildlife.

Travelers should expect closed visitor centers, shuttered restrooms, and halted maintenance work. Campgrounds may also be shut down if staff aren’t available. Visitors are encouraged not to enter park grounds during a funding lapse for safety and liability reasons. Past shutdowns have left parks with trash buildup, restroom closures, and safety issues when people ignored warnings.

People planning to visit parks should check cancellation and refund policies through Recreation.gov or their park’s website. Hotels and private tour operators near parks may stay open, but access to federal lands could be restricted.

Broader Impact of a Government Shutdown

A shutdown would affect more than just national parks. Federal employees across agencies could be furloughed, leading to delays in services such as passport processing and some social programs. Agencies responsible for border and coastal security, air traffic control, and emergency response would continue operating since those are considered essential.

Previous shutdowns have disrupted travel plans, delayed pay for federal workers, and impacted local economies that rely on tourism. A fall shutdown could especially hurt communities near national parks, where autumn travel season remains busy.

For now, the possibility of a shutdown remains real if Congress does not reach a funding agreement. Travelers and federal employees should prepare for potential disruptions, especially in national parks and other public services.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Will national parks close if the government shuts down?

Yes. Most national parks will close and stop visitor services during a funding lapse, except for essential safety and law enforcement work.

Q2: Can I still visit a park during a shutdown?

It’s discouraged. Parks may close gates and suspend services. Visitors entering anyway risk safety issues and lack of facilities.

Q3: Will federal employees be paid during a shutdown?

Most non-essential federal workers are furloughed without pay during a shutdown. They usually receive back pay once funding is restored.

Q4: How will a shutdown affect travel plans?

National park visits could be canceled. Passport and other federal services may face delays. Flights should operate but with possible staff strain.

Q5: What services keep running?

Essential safety operations, military, air traffic control, border security, and emergency response continue during a shutdown.