As the federal government shutdown stretches into its second day, a surprising sense of normalcy prevails at many national parks across the country. Despite the furlough of thousands of National Park Service employees—about two-thirds of the workforce—most sites, including the popular Acadia National Park in Maine, remain open to visitors. This isn't the full shutdown some feared, but it's far from business as usual.
Indeed, the Interior Department has directed parks to stay accessible where feasible, allowing entrance fees to be collected by a skeleton crew of essential staff. However, visitor centers, restrooms, and shuttle services could be spotty or closed altogether. Acadia National Park, drawing over 4 million visitors annually, reports roads and trails largely operational, though rangers warn of potential hazards without regular maintenance. Fall foliage seekers might still hike Cadillac Mountain, but without guided tours or full interpretive programs, the experience feels a bit rawer, more exposed to the elements—and to the shutdown's underlying tensions.
Moreover, this partial opening echoes past shutdowns, like the 2018-2019 episode that cost the park system $500 million in lost revenue and deferred repairs. Critics, including former superintendents, had urged a full closure to highlight the funding crisis, arguing that understaffed parks invite risks from unchecked crowds or wildlife issues. Yet here we are, with parks limping along on volunteer efforts and local partnerships. In Acadia, Bar Harbor businesses breathe a sigh of relief as leaf-peepers continue to arrive, bolstering the local economy amid broader federal belt-tightening.
However, the strain shows. With only essential personnel on duty—perhaps a few dozen at larger parks like Acadia—emergency responses could lag, and trash might pile up faster than usual. Safety remains a top concern, as one park official noted in a hurried update, emphasizing that visitors should come prepared for self-reliance. The shutdown, now in its early hours, underscores the fragility of these public treasures, dependent as they are on congressional whims.
One wonders how long this delicate balance can hold before the cracks widen into something more disruptive.