Vandalized monuments, illegal base jumping and 'bear jams': The shutdown is causing havoc at national parks [View all]

Source: The Independent

Saturday 08 November 2025 20:12 EST


Destruction at historic landmark sites, illegal base-jumping and unchecked “bear jams” are among the escalating incidents at America’s national parks, which are suffering due to lack of staff and services because of the ongoing government shutdown.

Despite the warnings of advocacy groups, the Trump administration has allowed many national parks to be at least partially open with few staff and services during what has become the longest shutdown in history.

Numerous incidents have been recorded across the country including overflowing bathrooms, piled-up trash, unkept trails and even a 70-acre wildfire near an unstaffed campground in Joshua Tree, California. Though warnings were posted online by the state fire agency, CAL FIRE, and Joshua Tree's website, updates were less frequent that usual.

At the time, a spokesperson for San Bernardino County Fire Protection told The Desert Sun that, although Joshua Tree National Park and the Bureau of Land Management were managing the fire, and eventually brought it under control, they were not certain what media contacts were available due to staffing shortages. Both Joshua Tree National Park and the Bureau of Land Management have been affected by the shutdown, the outlet reported.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/national-parks-service-shutdown-chaos-b2861538.html