Reservations Cancelled as Arizona’s National Parks Shut Down

Imagine you have to tighten your household budget, but instead of analyzing your spending line by line, you just cut out something arbitrarily because it's too expensive.

Let's say you have three children and decide to save money by no longer funding your youngest child.

That last-born kid doesn't have any seniority or tenure; as a toddler, this kid uses more resources and money than the other two. So that's it, you reason. No more diapers, no more food, no more anything. A huge chunk of change: saved.

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Unthinkable Budget Cuts in Arizona

Running your budget this way is unthinkable. No one would randomly stop funding a single person in their household just because the bottom line is high.

Instead, you might make targeted, considered cuts: buying generic diapers instead of Pampers Premium, for example, finding a relative to provide childcare rather than employing an expensive daycare. Logically, you'd make surgical changes with the proverbial scalpel rather than a sledgehammer.

Visit the Top 5 State Parks in Arizona

The DOGE Strike on Arizona's National Parks

You've probably figured out where I'm going with this scenario. DOGE is saving us money, yes. But they're tossing out the baby with the bathwater - and one more casualty are Arizona's National Parks

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts impact our the operations throughout the state. The cuts have already closed several federal properties and slashed around 1,000 National Park Service employees.

Impact on Reservations at National Parks in Arizona

If you've been planning a visit, it's time to make sure your reservations are still valid.

Reductions in staffing and facility closures are creating an impact on the public.

For example, the National Park Service's Camp Verde office manages Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle National Monument. Camp Verde and others have been affected by these statewide DOGE cuts.

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Has Your Park Reservation Been Canceled?

Don't head out until you've checked the on the most up-to-date information. You can find park conditions, reservations, and cancellations on the official park websites.

• National Park Service in Arizona: nps.gov/state/az/index.htm

Get detailed information on park alerts, current conditions, and how to make or cancel your reservations.

If you need more information, you can drop an email to the NPS using this link: Arizona's - U.S. National Park Service

Teddy Roosevelt and the National Park System

From 1901 to 1909, President Teddy Roosevelt laid the groundwork for the modern National Park System, signing an executive order that set aside millions of acres of wilderness to be preserved and enjoyed by the public. The system has protected many of our treasured Arizona landscapes, including the Grand Canyon.

It's hard to believe that the stroke of a pen is reversing this beautiful program that's stood proudly for more than 100 years.

Sources: National Park Service | Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) | Wikipedia: Teddy Roosevelt