June 4, 2025

What About National Parks This Summer

Staffing Shortages Causing Concern

Dear Family Travelers:

This may not be the summer for that Great Western National Parks trip.

Just weeks after President Trump took office, the administration dismissed more than 1,000 permanent National Park Service Works, and at least 700 more took buyouts, according to multiple credible news sources. Conflicting court rulings have been like a whipsaw with workers reinstated and then fired again.

There have also been delays in hiring thousands of seasonal workers. This comes is as the underfunded National Parks welcomed a record 332 million visitors last year.

What does all this means for those trying to visit this summer? Bigger crowds, fewer ranger programs, longer waits to get into the parks, closed trails and campgrounds, overflowing trash cans, and stress for visitors.

The situation may be more dire at the smaller, less visited parks which have fewer staff to start with.

If you still are game, be prepared and know that you are greatly helping the local economies who rely greatly on summer tourists. According to the National Park Service, visitors to national parks spent a total of $26.4 billion in surrounding communities in 2023. That number likely increased last year with record attendance.

One way to take stress out of the experience is to go on a guided tour with companies like Backroads (different itineraries for families with different aged kids) or Austin Adventures. (Some National Parks trips, including family trips to Yellowstone, are now 20 per cent off.) Guided trips give you the advantage of leaders who can take you to less tourist-ed spots, itineraries designed with your kids in mind, and pre-booked hotels.

If you don’t want to pay for a guided trip or the hassle of navigating yourself this summer, consider the many state parks to consider. Colorado, for example, boasts 43 state parks with everything from alpine lakes to rugged canyon s. Wyoming has 12 state parks. California has the most with 280. In some cases, you might find RV owners willing to set up a rental RV for you with companies including RVShare and GORVrentals

Another option is to head to Canada, as the NY Times suggested recently. Parks Canada oversees 48 national parks. (The US dollar at the moment is worth about 1.38 Canadian dollars.)

Instead of always crowded Acadia National Park in Maine, consider Fundy National Park in New Brunswick Canada. There are more than 25 waterfalls.

Taking the Kids Cruise Guide

Cruises are filling already for winter, but savings abound if you book in summer and early fall. Find cruise ideas here!

New on Takingthekids.com:

To an all-inclusive without kids

From our partners at The Family Travel Forum:

Resources For Family Camping Vacations

Eileen's Kids' Guide to Washington DC

Before you plan a family visit to the Nation's Capital City, get some help from a professional

- and from your kids! The Kid’s Guide to Washington DC lets the kids help plan the trip and guides you as you explore the city, neighborhood by neighborhood. Inside you’ll find kid-tested tips on where to go, where to eat, what to see, and where to get the best souvenirs. Along the way the kids will be engaged by sharing fun New York facts and cool tips. Awesome games will keep everyone busy as you crisscross the city on foot, by Metro, or bus, or in a cab.