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With only 10 days before the deadline, the government could shut down Oct. 1, disrupting access and services at South Florida National Parks, including the Everglades, Biscayne, Dry Tortugas and Big Cypress.
The national parks have been through shutdowns before. In 2013, all parks closed completely during a 16-day lapse in government funding, costing them 7.88 million lost visits and $414 million in lost visitor spending, according to the National Park Service. In 2018 and 2019, another shutdown, most parks remained open without staff to collect trash, maintain trails and operate visitor services.
Last year, National Park attendance hit a record, with NPS reporting 333.9 million visits nationwide. However, since January all parks, including those in South Florida, faced several funding and staffing cuts.
“That included rangers, rescuers, and very concerningly, scientists who track the massive investment we’ve made in Everglades restoration,” said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades. “If restoration efforts aren’t successful, we’re not going to have these parks and refuges to enjoy in the long term.”
If Congress fails to reach a deal before Oct. 1, visitors nationwide should expect reduced staff, closed gates and limited services across the park system.
“Our state is so lucky to have these places, and I think we’re at a moment in history in our country where there’s a potential unraveling of some of our environmental protections, some of the safeguards of these beautiful and wild places,” said Samples. “And to the extent any government shutdown would exacerbate that, it’s very concerning.”
