Yosemite in crisis: Layoffs disrupt park operations and local economy
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
Yosemite National Park, one of the crown jewels of the U.S. National Park System, is in a state of upheaval.
Amid a wave of mass layoffs targeting more than 1,000 employees across national parks, Yosemite has been hit particularly hard—stripping the park of crucial seasonal workers, disrupting visitor services, and raising alarms among local businesses that rely on the park’s steady stream of tourists. This is according to SF Gate.
Substantial staffing shortages
Elon Musk, as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, spearheaded significant workforce reductions across federal agencies, including the National Park Service (NPS). These cuts have led to substantial staffing shortages in national parks such as Yosemite, resulting in operational disruptions like the suspension of reservations for several campgrounds due to understaffing.
The layoffs have sparked nationwide protests, with demonstrators opposing the collaboration between Musk and the administration to downsize the federal government. These protests have targeted locations across California, including Tesla dealerships, as part of the Save Our Services campaign.
While Musk has not made specific public statements about Yosemite National Park, his role in implementing these workforce reductions has directly impacted its operations and those of other national parks.
Yosemite: A national treasure at risk
Established in 1890, Yosemite National Park spans nearly 1,200 square miles in California’s Sierra Nevada. It is renowned for its granite cliffs, ancient sequoias, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. In 2023, Yosemite welcomed over 3.9 million visitors, contributing significantly to California’s tourism economy. Its most iconic landmarks—El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls—draw climbers, hikers, and nature lovers from around the world.
But the recent layoffs have cast a shadow over this natural wonder. According to a San Francisco Chronicle investigation, Yosemite has lost a large share of its seasonal rangers, campground staff, and maintenance workers due to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) downsizing initiative under the Trump administration. The workforce cuts primarily affected probationary employees, many of whom were in training or had recently transferred.
Real-life consequences
With summer approaching—the busiest season in Yosemite—the staffing shortage is causing operational breakdowns:
Campground chaos The loss of workers has delayed maintenance and the reopening of popular campsites like Tuolumne Meadows and Bridalveil Creek. Reservation systems are backlogged, and frustrated visitors are facing uncertainty about their summer plans.
Trash and trail neglect Without adequate staff, overflowing trash bins and unmaintained trails have become increasingly common. Volunteer groups have stepped in to help, but they can’t replace trained rangers and maintenance crews.
Visitor safety risks Seasonal rangers often handle search-and-rescue operations and educate tourists about wildfire risks, wildlife encounters, and safety procedures. Their absence poses a real risk to public safety in the rugged Yosemite wilderness.
Economic shockwaves beyond the park
The fallout isn’t just confined to Yosemite’s forests. Gateway towns like Mariposa, El Portal, and Oakhurst, which depend heavily on park tourism, are bracing for losses. Businesses that cater to visitors—hotels, restaurants, gear shops—are already seeing reduced bookings.
Yosemite alone contributes over $600 million annually to the surrounding region’s economy. Nationwide, national parks generated $55.6 billion and supported 415,000 jobs in 2023, according to the National Park Service. The Yosemite layoffs threaten to undercut a critical portion of this.
Public outcry and growing resistance
As news of the mass layoffs swept through the National Park Service, a wave of protest followed—and it hit Yosemite with force. On March 23, 2025, hundreds of current and former park employees, environmentalists, and concerned citizens gathered in Yosemite Valley, joining a nationwide demonstration at 93 national parks.
Wearing ranger hats and holding handmade signs that read «Protect Our Parks» and «Bring Back the Rangers,» protesters stood beneath the towering cliffs of El Capitan. This was more than symbolic—it was personal. Many of those present had worked in Yosemite for years, guiding visitors, maintaining trails, and protecting wildlife. Now, they were watching their beloved park slip into disarray.
The protests were led in part by a grassroots group calling itself the Resistance Rangers, made up of laid-off seasonal workers and retired staff. Their demands were clear: reverse the layoffs, restore funding, and respect the critical role rangers play in preserving America’s natural heritage.
At the heart of the protest was a sense of betrayal. Yosemite is more than a tourist site—it’s a living landscape cared for by generations of stewards. Cutting staff meant cutting corners on safety, education, and conservation. As one former ranger shouted into a megaphone, «This park doesn’t run on autopilot. It runs on people.»
While the demonstrations were peaceful, their message echoed across the country: the parks are not just places—they are promises. And those promises, many believe, are now at risk. Former ranger Marissa Munoz, who led educational tours in Yosemite, told reporters:
«We’re not just losing jobs—we’re losing the soul of the park. Rangers are the link between nature and people.»
What's next for Yosemite?
Unless funding and staffing are restored soon, the problems at Yosemite could escalate. Infrastructure repairs may be delayed, emergency response times could increase, and the overall visitor experience could degrade—potentially discouraging future visits.
Yosemite has survived wildfires, rockfalls, and storms—but a political decision may now pose one of its most destabilizing threats.
Fast facts about Yosemite National Park
Location: Eastern California, Sierra Nevada Mountains
Established: October 1, 1890
Area: 1,187 square miles (3,081 square kilometers)
Annual visitors (2023): 3.9 million
Famous features: El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Designated in 1984
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