Every year during National Park Week, the National Park Service kicks off the celebration with a “fee-free day” across all national parks.

This year, that takes place on April 19, with admission fees waived at any park that usually collects them.

With that in mind, parks may still collect other fees associated with camping, boat launches, or other amenities in various locations, and some parks may still require reservations and associated costs to manage crowd capacity. 

Typically, these fees are in place to collect revenue in order to “enhance visitor experience,” according to the NPS. 

When collected, 80% of funding from recreation fees stays in the park where it is collected, and the other 20% benefits parks that do not collect fees or only generate a small amount of revenue.

And that revenue is more important than ever in maintaining the country’s beloved park sites.

Earlier this year, in accordance with the Trump administration’s efforts to “cut federal spending,” major layoffs and budget cuts were instituted across the NPS and National Forest Service. 

While many jobs have since been reinstated, federal funding and workforce in national parks remain in flux.

This is not a new dilemma.

According to the National Park Conservation Association, NPS has been dealing with a 16% decrease in staffing while national parks have experienced a 17% increase in visitation since 2011.

Along with a maintenance backlog that would require nearly $12 billion to repair vital infrastructure, the new staffing and budget cuts introduced this year only add fuel to an already dire fire.

“Park rangers protect our most incredible landscapes, historic homes, and cultural sites and keep them in good condition for future generations to experience and enjoy,” the NPCA said in a statement.

“And yet, the administration has repeatedly called for massive cuts to national park funding, which would result in fewer park rangers to defend our national parks.”

While jobs and projects hang in the balance, visitors may be the first to notice the impact of these cuts. When visiting parks this year, visitors will likely see decreases in guided tours and adventures, as well as reductions in safety features, cleanliness, and timeliness due to staffing shortages.

“Without enough funding, there will be fewer park rangers to speak for our parks and assist the millions of people who visit our national parks for a world-class experience,” NPCA added. “And it is our parks and public lands, and all who visit them, that pay the price.”

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has ordered parks to remain open despite job and funding cuts, which many call an “impossible task,” per the Associated Press.

Despite this, park rangers, visitors, and volunteers will not cease their celebration of National Park Week. 

“It has been a challenging time for our parks and the people who operate and protect them,” NPCA shared in a blog post. “Park staff are essential to the preservation of our national heritage, the park experiences we share, and the economic well-being of gateway communities across the country.”

Along with plenty of ways to celebrate National Park Week, NPCA will host a virtual summer camp for park lovers to celebrate and advocate for public lands.

“NPCA continues to stand up for the protection of our national parks and those who dedicate their careers to safeguarding them,” the blog post continued. “There is no ‘camp’ without ‘camp counselors.’”

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Header image by NPS Photo / Mackenzie Reed