National Park Service Warning for Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin Visitors

If you're in the Tri-State area and dreaming about a trip to one of America’s stunning national parks this summer, you’re not alone. I'm right there with you, and you’re definitely not too early to start planning that trip. In fact, I'm sure many of you have already planned it. However, those plans may have to become more flexible.

Well, after a record-breaking year for park attendance in 2024, the National Park Service is heading into the busy summer season facing major staffing shortages. According to recent reports from rangers to seasonal workers, many positions are still unfilled. That could impact everything from visitor services to search and rescue response times.

Heading to National Parks can be a difficult task to undertake. New rules make people plan months, even years in advance, to get timed entry passes and reservations. Wait times were manageable when we visited Rocky Mountain National Park, but we went in very early spring, well off peak season (BTW it was still busy). However, certain features may be even more limited now.

On my family's trip to Clingmans Dome in the Smokies, we spent several hours heading up the mountain, in what was possibly the longest car line ever. The thought that wait times could be extended any further than that is a scary thought. Also, it was a bummer of a visit as the fog was so thick we couldn't see a thing, but that's just the weather in the Great Smoky Mountains.

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Essentially, for those of us in the Tri-State area, this summer’s trip/s might take a little more forethought than usual. Whether you’re heading out west to Yellowstone or Yosemite, or road-tripping to closer spots like the Indiana Dunes National Park or the Gateway Arch, your expectations may need a little adjusting.

You may encounter longer lines, fewer ranger-led programs, and limited hours at visitor centers. But that doesn’t mean you need to cancel your plans. Park advocates, including my family and I, are encouraging you to go. Just be prepared. Think of yourself as an actual park ranger. When I say that, I mean pack out your trash, stay on the trails, and bring those hiking essentials (maps, GPS, phone/walkies, extra water, and first aid). I would suggest you always take those things with you on the trail, just in case you need to rely on yourself more than usual. And if you're a history buff, do a little digital digging before you go exploring in person.

From trips through the Badlands, Smoky Mountains, Pictured Rocks, and the Rocky Mountains, I am slowly making my way across the National Parks, and I must say... to steal a line from Seinfeld: People, they're the worst. Seriously! How hard is it to clean up after yourselves? Water bottles and granola bar wrappers litter trails. Where the land should be unspoiled, my family has been finding more and more evidence of Human neglect. Just pack it back out, it's not that hard. Our National Parks are natural treasures, not trash cans.

And for those of you who are, let's say, more budget-conscious, you could look closer to home. Every state has at least one National Park Service site and loads of state-level adventures that may rival even the national-level areas. Many are hidden gems worth exploring. You could do like my family and try Effigy Mounds or the state forest at Yellow River in Iowa. Try Pullman National Historical Park or Starved Rock in Illinois. How about a trip through Ice Age National Scenic Trail or Governor Dodge State Park in Wisconsin?

And hey, this might be the perfect year to slow down and really appreciate what’s in our own backyard. My plans are closer to home this year, with a fishing, hiking, and kayaking excursion with the family at Big Lake in Minnesota. For those of you with bigger plans, a bit of patience and preparation can make your national park experience full of wonder and adventure. Please, just be a good steward of the land you're enjoying.

Check Out My Other National Park Adventures