Seek out local trails and recreate responsibly to protect federal lands
The US federal government is shut down as of October 1, 2025. This means national parks, monuments, and other federal public lands are either closed or operating without full staff and services, including park rangers, visitor centers, restrooms, concessions, and gift shops.
If you have plans to visit a national park, monument, or other federal public lands during the shutdown, consider an alternative. Many national parks and forests are near state or local parks; visiting them instead will relieve pressure on federal lands while they’re vulnerable. You can see the area for any trail at the top of the AllTrails trail page, below the trail name.
If you can’t change your plans, taking safety precautions and practicing responsible recreation is more crucial than ever.
- Leave no trace. Even if park gates are open, facilities will likely be unstaffed. Pack in and pack out all items including food waste, trash, and pet waste.
- Know your limits and plan ahead. With reduced staff and fewer resources, make sure your trail plans account for current and forecasted weather conditions. Choose easy or moderate routes in unfamiliar areas and don’t underestimate elevation changes.
- Respect posted parking, trail rules, and closures. Follow signs to stay safe and download offline maps to stay on trail.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, October 1 at 7 am PT.
