Thousands of California Campsites Face Possible Summer Closures Amid Federal Firings

Thousands of campsites across California could close this summer following the abrupt firing of 2,000 U.S. Forest Service employees, according to an internal agency memo obtained by The New York Times.

The mass layoffs, part of the Trump administration’s federal workforce cuts, threaten 4,000 campsites across the state’s 18 national forests, as well as visitor centers, wildfire prevention efforts, and recreational permits.

The national forests, spanning nearly 21 million acres, provide affordable camping, hiking, off-roading, and even gold mining opportunities. However, with severe staffing shortages, the Forest Service is scrambling to determine which public facilities may be unsafe or too difficult to maintain in 2025.

Visitor centers in El Dorado, Lassen, Shasta-Trinity, San Bernardino, and Sequoia National Forests are at risk of closing, while essential services such as bathroom maintenance, wildfire prevention, and search-and-rescue operations face significant challenges.

Adding to concerns, it remains unclear whether the Forest Service will be able to hire its usual seasonal workforce for the busy summer months, a critical component in fire prevention efforts. Experts warn that without adequate staffing, the state’s drought-stricken forests could become even more vulnerable to devastating wildfires.

The Sierra Club has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), arguing the firings were unlawful. Meanwhile, Yosemite National Park has already delayed summer campsite reservations, signaling further disruptions ahead.

With the future of California’s national forests hanging in the balance, outdoor enthusiasts and conservation groups are urging federal officials to reverse course before summer arrives.