CURECANTI NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, COLORADO – In yet another blow to outdoor recreation and local economies, Curecanti National Recreation Area has announced the closure of nine of its ten campgrounds due to staffing shortages following widespread layoffs within the National Park Service (NPS). The cuts—amounting to 4.6% of NPS staff, or roughly 1,000 employees, according to The New York Times and CNN—are a direct result of decisions made under the Trump Administration.
Curecanti, which spans 42,000 acres in western Colorado, is a popular destination known for its stunning reservoirs, world-class fishing, and dramatic canyon landscapes. But now, access to these public lands is becoming increasingly limited. The lack of staffing not only affects recreation but also local businesses that rely on tourism dollars.
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A Significant Impact on Local Economies
Curecanti has long been an economic driver for Gunnison and Montrose counties. A 2018 NPS report found that in 2017, the park welcomed over 1 million visitors, who spent $44.1 million in nearby communities. That spending supported 551 local jobs and generated a cumulative economic benefit of nearly $50 million.
“Black Canyon and Curecanti welcome visitors from across the country and around the world,” then-Superintendent Bruce Noble said when the report was released. “National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service, and it’s a big factor in our local economy as well.”
With most of Curecanti’s campgrounds now closed, local outfitters, guides, restaurants, and hotels could feel the strain. Reduced access to camping means fewer overnight visitors, which often translates to fewer dollars spent in the region.
The Latest in a Growing Pattern of Closures
Curecanti’s campground shutdown is just the latest in a growing list of at least 19 national parks, monuments, and recreation areas that have restricted access, canceled programs, or closed facilities in recent months due to staff shortages. These include:
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks – Visitor center and museum hours reduced.
- Saguaro National Park – Visitor centers now closed on Mondays.
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park – Tours canceled, visitor center hours reduced.
- Arches National Park – Fiery Furnace hiking area closed indefinitely.
- Denali National Park – Youth education programs canceled after key staff layoffs.
- Yosemite National Park – Delays in releasing camping reservations.
- Sierra Avalanche Center – May lose a forecaster, limiting vital snow safety updates.
Even beyond national parks, the U.S. Forest Service has issued warnings that more than 4,000 campsites in California may not open this summer due to staffing shortages.
Read the full list of National Park and Public Land impacts from the ongoing cuts to federal public lands funding and staffing. We are updating the list as more information becomes available.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Lack of Transparency Raises Concerns
Unlike some other national park units that have announced closures via press releases or social media, the Curecanti campground closures were quietly posted to their website with no public statement. The absence of an official announcement raises questions about whether additional closures are happening at other public lands without clear notification.
As summer approaches, communities dependent on outdoor tourism are bracing for the financial fallout of these closures. With national park visitation rebounding post-pandemic, the growing lack of staff and resources threatens not just public access but also the livelihoods of thousands who rely on these protected lands.
The Next Summit will continue monitoring this situation as more closures and access restrictions come to light.
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