At least 2 National Parks announce closures for trailheads, visitor centers, and public restrooms 1-2 days/week.
FLORISSANT, COLORADO – Visitors planning trips to two national park sites in the Southwest may find themselves greeted by locked doors as staffing shortages force the first wave of closures since the Trump Administration’s National Park Service (NPS) layoffs took effect last week.
On Monday, February 24, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado and Saguaro National Park in Arizona will implement indefinite closures on select days due to a lack of personnel. The changes come just days after 1,000 National Park Service employees were terminated nationwide, prompting concerns that these are only the first of many such cutbacks to come.
The closures hit at a time when visitation is expected to surge. Spring break travelers will soon be heading outdoors, and peak summer season—just three months away—could bring even greater disruptions, leaving tourists stranded in front of closed gates or scrambling to salvage cancelled reservations.
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What’s Closing So Far?
The mass layoffs are already having an effect on national park sites and reducing public access.
At least two locations, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and Saguaro National Monument, are closing visitor centers, trailheads, and restrooms for 1-2 days a week, citing understaffing as the primary cause.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (Colorado)
- Starting Feb. 24, the monument will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays indefinitely.
- No access to the visitor center, parking areas, or restrooms on those days.
- The park remains open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
Located southwest of Pikes Peak, the monument is home to one of the world’s richest fossil deposits, drawing 75,000 visitors annually to see preserved petrified sequoia trees and thousands of ancient plant and insect fossils.
The closure announcement was shared on Facebook and specifically cited the lack of available staffing (see below). Thousands of comments on the post are predominantly negative and critical of the staffing layoffs.
Now, visitors hoping to hike the monument’s 15 miles of trails or tour the historic 1878 homestead will need to plan carefully—or face disappointment.
Click here to learn more about the Monument and its updated hours and access.
Saguaro National Park (Arizona)
- Visitor centers in both the East and West Districts will be closed on Mondays.
- Trails and backcountry areas remain open, but services will be reduced.
As one of the most iconic desert landscapes in the country, Saguaro National Park sees over 1 million visitors each year, many of whom rely on ranger-led tours and information provided at the visitor centers.
The park is a major economic driver for Tucson’s tourism industry, supporting local businesses, hotels, and outdoor recreation outfitters.
The National Park announced the closure in a Facebook post with few details. However, the timing and indefinite nature of the closure make the staffing cut a prime suspect. With nearly 2,000 comments on the post, almost all of them are critical of the layoffs (see below).
The Visitor Center closures at Saguaro are notable given the region’s hot, dry climate. Even in February, the temperature regularly reaches the upper 80s and low 90s, making the visitor centers a popular park attraction to get out of the sun and learn about the park’s history, ecology, and geology. This may create a disproportionate effect compared to closures at parks in other regions.
Click here to learn more about Saguaro National Park and its new Visitor Center hours.
Why Are These Closures Happening?
These reductions in services are a direct result of the recent Trump Administration NPS layoffs, announced just one week ago by the Department of the Interior. While 5,000 seasonal positions were spared from a federal hiring freeze, the administration simultaneously terminated 1,000 permanent staff members, creating immediate gaps in park operations.
According to Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), the cuts will have “devastating consequences” on visitor services, public safety, and resource protection.
“Years of budget cuts are already weakening the agency’s ability to protect and preserve these incredible places,” Pierno said in a statement last week. “Now, parks are being forced to close their doors, and this is only the beginning.”
What’s Next? Expect More Closures During Summer
With peak travel season still three months away, more closures, reduced hours, and service cutbacks are almost certainly on the horizon. The loss of full-time staff could lead to:
- More visitor centers closing on additional days—or indefinitely.
- Permit cancellations for wilderness camping, backcountry hiking, and special events.
- Delayed emergency response times, increasing safety risks for visitors in remote areas.
- Park law enforcement and maintenance cutbacks, affecting trail conditions, road access, and overall park safety.
As families plan for summer road trips and outdoor vacations, the reality is stark: you may find your favorite park closed or under severe restrictions when you arrive.
What Can We Do?
- Check park websites and social media for updated hours and closures before traveling.
- Adjust trip plans to avoid impacted days or have backup destinations in mind.
- Contact elected officials to voice concerns about national park funding and staffing.
- Sign this petition organized by the National Park Conservation Association and support their work with a donation.
- Support local businesses that rely on tourism, as closures could have a ripple effect on nearby communities.
If these layoffs and closures continue unchecked, the very places meant to inspire, educate, and protect America’s natural heritage could become inaccessible to the public. With more changes likely coming, travelers should prepare for uncertainty—and fight for the future of the parks they love.
What’s Your Take?
Have you been affected by national park staff cuts, closures , or reduced services? Let us know in the comments below.
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
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