California National Forests Face Facility Closures Due to Budget Cuts

California National Forests Face Potential Closures This Summer Amid Staff Shortages

In California, the summer of 2025 may bring significant disruptions to outdoor enthusiasts as nearly 4,000 campsites within the state’s 18 national forests may face closures due to federal budget cuts and staff reductions. This alarming news surfaced from an internal United States Forest Service (USFS) spreadsheet that was obtained by The New York Times. The potential campground shutdowns are a direct consequence of a wave of firings and budget freezes that occurred last month, severely impacting the financial resources necessary for fundamental services like restroom sanitation.

California’s national forests, although sometimes overshadowed by their more famous counterparts—national parks—hold unique significance for a diverse range of visitors. They are known for their accessibility, affordable entry fees, and variety of recreational activities which include motorcycling, day hiking, horseback riding, and even gold prospecting. These lands attract millions of people annually, fostering a deep connection to nature among residents and tourists alike.

On February 18, an internal email from the USFS directed forest supervisors in Region 5 (which encompasses California) to compile a list of public facilities that may face closure due to the current financial crisis and staff shortages. Although the USFS did not respond to inquiries seeking further clarification, the email explicitly identified potential risks: “unforeseen impacts and changed conditions, as well as financial limitations, may render some sites unsafe, or too challenging to open to full capacity in 2025.”

The repercussions of these closures extend beyond mere access to campsites. With a drastically reduced workforce, both scientific research and visitor services at these sites are likely to deteriorate. Visitors could struggle to find clean, well-maintained facilities, and there is rising concern about inadequate staffing to manage wildfires—a real threat to the surrounding communities.

Reports from both current and recently terminated employees within Region 5 have confirmed that the recent firings and inability to fund contractors have profoundly affected most of the forests in the region. Among the information disclosed, assessments indicated that at Inyo National Forest, where 26,000 individuals trek annually along the Mt. Whitney trail, a 75 percent cut in staff could lead to fewer efforts in waste management and a compromised response to search-and-rescue situations.

Moreover, in the cherished Lake Tahoe Basin area, the workforce dedicated to recreational services has dwindled by 33 percent. The termination of the only permanent wilderness ranger position in Desolation Wilderness—a major draw for outdoor adventures—raises serious questions about the future of this prime wilderness area.

For many employees, the ramifications of sudden job losses are devastating. Andrew Peterson, a biologist fired just ten days before the end of his probationary period, expressed concern about the obvious decline in cleanliness and research efforts, which directly impact the ecosystem and species vital to forest health. "Every year that we don’t actively work to help our threatened and endangered species, the more threatened and endangered they become," Peterson lamented, illustrating the gravity of reducing staff in sensitive ecological settings.

The crisis within the Forest Service is not new; employees have noted that many of the forests in Region 5 have faced chronic underfunding long before the recent firings. The Tahoe management unit typically hires up to 50 temporary workers every summer, yet due to continued budget cuts and a hiring freeze, the prospects for this summer remain bleak.

Additionally, closures of visitor centers are also on the horizon, limiting access to crucial information and permits for activities such as backpacking and firewood collection. In Eldorado National Forest alone, multiple visitor centers face potential shutdowns due to low staffing levels, further complicating access to these popular recreational locations.

Staffing cuts are feared to deepen as closures threaten even more critical areas. In Six Rivers National Forest, a substantial reduction in staff at the front desk has limited public access and services. Former employees revealed that only one of four district offices remained operational as of February, impairing essential public affairs efforts.

As the summer looms, the impacts of these layoffs extend beyond the immediate loss of jobs; the potential for poorly maintained trails could increase wildfire risks, hindering firefighters’ ability to control blazes effectively. Adam Forsell, a former maintenance worker at Six Rivers, warned of the dire consequences: "A well-maintained trail can be the difference between a fire staying relatively small or becoming the next campaign fire."

In a further contrast to the dire situation in the Forest Service, the National Park Service has recently announced plans to hire 5,000 temporary workers after laying off around 1,000 probationary staff members. The Forest Service, which covers more land than any national park, has yet to receive authorization for any new hires.

As the unfolding situation becomes clearer, the future of California’s national forests hangs in the balance. The looming threat of campground closures, staffing shortages, and compromised visitor services presents a multifaceted challenge that could reshape the experience of outdoor lovers in an essential and beloved region of the American West. As summer draws closer, many are left to wonder how these changes will affect access to some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the country.