Plight of the Parks

UPDATE | National Park Service Facing A Shakeup That Could Diminish Services

Trump administration guidelines aimed at dramatically shrinking the size of federal government could diminish services across the National Park System "like no other time since WWII," according to a National Park Service veteran who spent decades with the agency.

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 20th, 2025 5:12pm

National Park Service Can't Say How Many Superintendent Vacancies It Has

While the National Park Service, and other federal agencies, are in a state of turmoil under the administration's push to drastically shrink the size of government, the agency has no idea how many vacant superintendent positions exist across the National Park System.

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 14th, 2025 2:30am

Monumental Issues

One of the requests made by the authors of Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for the Trump administration, is that President Donald Trump again shrink national monuments.

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 13th, 2025 2:30am

National Park Service Given Permission To Hire Some Positions

The National Park Service has been given permission to hire "certain positions" previously blocked by President Trump's freeze on government hiring, though the agency didn't say which positions it can fill.

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 20th, 2025 5:13pm

Traveler's View | What's The Endgame?

Thought it's only been three weeks since the change in administrations in Washington, it certainly seems appropriate to question how the Trump administration will support the National Park Service and what long has been regarded as the world's most outstanding National Park System.

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 20th, 2025 5:13pm

National Park Friends Groups Concerned About Park Operations

It's a well-worn statement that national park friends groups and cooperating associations provide the "margin of excellence" for the parks they support, but the Trump administration's hiring freeze and intentions to cut the federal workforce have raised concerns that they'll be asked to provide more support with less return.

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 20th, 2025 5:14pm

Senators Appeal To Interior Secretary To End Freeze On NPS Hiring

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has been urged by four U.S. senators to resolve the hiring freeze on the National Park Service that threatens to imperil the summer season in the National Park System.

25.02.07_letter_to_burgum_on_nps_staffing_impacts_merkley_murray_king_heinrich_and_others.pdf

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 20th, 2025 5:14pm

Dirty Toilets, Grumpy Visitors And Vandalism: Get Ready For Summer In The Parks

National park visitors could be confronted by "chaos" this summer if the hold on seasonal hirings by the Trump administration is not lifted soon, says former National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis.

opm_memo_request_for_agency_performance_management_data_2-6-2025.pdf

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 20th, 2025 5:07pm

Interior Secretary Wants More Energy Development, Less Conservation

With a flurry of secretarial orders on his first day at work, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stressed the Trump administration's desire to push for more energy development on federal lands while discarding the Biden administration's concerns for climate-change impacts and endangered species.

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 4th, 2025 12:07pm

Hold On Seasonal Park Service Hiring Has Some Candidates Looking Elsewhere

The current hold on seasonal hiring by the National Park Service has some candidates looking elsewhere for work this summer.

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By Kurt Repanshek - February 20th, 2025 5:15pm

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks