(IMAGN) A National Park Service ranger wears a badge on their arm at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Nearly 4,000 campsites across California’s 18 national forests could close this summer due to severe staffing shortages and stalled contracts, according to an internal U.S. Forest Service document. These potential closures stem from recent federal government firings and budget freezes.
An internal Forest Service email from February 18th instructed California forest supervisors to identify public facilities at risk of closure due to these issues. The email warned that “unforeseen impacts and changed conditions, as well as financial limitations may render some sites unsafe, or too challenging to open to full capacity in 2025.”
The staffing crisis follows the termination of at least 2,000 federal employees last month. Former and current Forest Service staff report that firings and contractor payment issues have affected the majority of California’s national forests.
Impacts are expected to be widespread:
- Campsite Closures: Thousands of campsites could close, limiting recreational opportunities for hikers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
- Reduced Services: Visitors may encounter unclean facilities, reduced trail maintenance, and slower response times for search and rescue operations.
- Visitor Center Closures: Several visitor centers, including those in Eldorado, Lassen, Shasta Trinity, San Bernardino, and Sequoia National Forests, are at risk of closure.
- Wildfire Risk: Reduced trail maintenance and a diminished firefighting workforce could increase wildfire risks.
- Reduced Research: Scientific research efforts will be hampered, potentially endangering threatened and endangered species.
At Inyo National Forest, the Mount Whitney trail, a popular destination, faces reduced maintenance and response capabilities. Kennedy Meadows, a campground frequented by Pacific Crest Trail hikers, could close entirely. In the Lake Tahoe Basin area, staffing reductions and the loss of a wilderness ranger position in Desolation Wilderness are anticipated.
Former employees also highlighted the impact on wildfire prevention. They said that well maintained trails are important to contain fires, and that the loss of certified firefighters and support staff will make the fight against wildfires more difficult.
While the National Park Service has been approved for temporary hires, the Forest Service, which manages significantly more land, has not yet received similar approval.
