PHILADELPHIA – The partial U.S. federal government shutdown has immediately curtailed public access to America’s natural treasures and historic landmarks, with the National Park Service (NPS) confirming that vast swathes of the National Park system are closed, locking out millions of potential visitors and raising significant public safety concerns at the sites that remain partially accessible.
As non-essential personnel are furloughed due to the appropriations lapse, nearly all major National Parks—from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone—have closed their visitor centers, campgrounds, and public restrooms. However, according to an NPS statement, some historic sites, including the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, are being kept open through a combination of emergency funding measures and pre-arranged agreements with state or local authorities and non-profit partners.
While the continued accessibility of sites like the Liberty Bell minimizes disruption to local tourism and civic memory, the situation across the wider park system is fraught with risk. The NPS explicitly warned that even in areas where physical access is not blocked—such as open-air memorials and roadside pull-offs—there is minimal to zero staffing for maintenance, security, or emergency services. This lack of oversight immediately creates potential hazards related to public safety, resource damage, and unauthorized access.
Devastating Economic Toll on Tourism
The immediate closure of the National Parks hits local economies that rely heavily on tourism revenue. Analysts estimate that the closures are costing local communities and the broader tourism industry millions of dollars every day. Restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and local tour operators that rely on the influx of park visitors face immediate financial hardship.
In 2023, the National Park Service recorded over 325 million visits across its sites, supporting over 230,000 jobs. A prolonged shutdown threatens to wipe out revenue during peak shoulder seasons, causing lasting damage to small businesses adjacent to park entrances. The economic impact compounds the difficulties faced by federal employees who are currently furloughed and not receiving pay.
The ripple effect is also felt in states where tourism is a cornerstone of the economy, such as Arizona, California, and Wyoming. These states often see millions in lost tax revenue within the first week of a major federal closure, placing unexpected strain on local budgets that rely on consistent visitor spending. The National Park Service’s own economic analysis underscores that every dollar spent by the federal government on park operations generates several dollars in local economic activity, making the current shutdown a costly economic reversal.
Safety Concerns Mount at Accessible Sites
The issue of public safety is paramount. In past shutdowns, unattended parks saw surges in vandalism, illegal camping, and misuse of resources. Without rangers or law enforcement present to monitor activity, the risk of serious injury or criminal activity increases significantly.
In locations like the Liberty Bell, local authorities are stepping in, the security challenge is less acute, but the responsibility for maintenance and resource protection shifts unexpectedly to local budgets.
The city of Philadelphia’s tourism board issued a statement confirming that the city has entered into an agreement to keep the Liberty Bell Center operational, acknowledging its status as a critical cultural landmark that draws global visitors. This type of stopgap funding, while necessary, cannot be applied universally across the expansive and geographically diverse National Park system.
Park Watchdogs Demand Immediate Reopening
Advocacy groups focused on conservation and public lands are urgently calling for Congress to pass appropriations measures or, at minimum, approve stopgap legislation to fully fund the National Park Service and allow rangers to return to work.
John Davies, the president of the non-profit National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), provided a sharp assessment of the situation:
“The closure of our national parks is more than just a disruption of vacation plans—it is an abrogation of our collective responsibility to protect these resources. When the gates are unstaffed, our delicate ecosystems are left vulnerable to damage, and public safety is critically compromised. While we appreciate emergency measures being taken at select high-profile locations like the Liberty Bell, the vast majority of our parks are in danger, and Congress must act immediately to end this crisis.”
The NPCA emphasized that while the Liberty Bell and a few other selected sites are receiving patchwork funding, the vast majority of the 429 NPS units—including battlefields, monuments, and wilderness areas—are completely shut down and unprotected. The lack of uniformed presence also complicates search and rescue efforts, forcing local counties to shoulder the burden for emergencies that may arise in remote areas.
The longer the shutdown persists, the greater the potential for irreversible environmental and resource damage across the system. The incident underscores the fragility of public services when budget agreements fail, turning national treasures into unprotected, high-risk areas. Park visitors and local residents are urged to respect closure signs and avoid entering areas where essential services are suspended.