How Will the Government Shutdown Impact America's Long Trails?

The Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails will stay open, but permits, maintenance, and facilities could all take a hit.

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(Photo: Vince Barnes/Getty Images)

Update, Oct. 7, 2025: Last week, the the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) alerted trail organizations that volunteer activities may continue during the shutdown. The Pacific Crest Trail Association, Continental Divide Trail Coalition, and Appalachian Trail Conservancy have all announced that they will resume trail work to the extent possible, though the absence of furloughed staff at partner agencies like the USFS, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service creates roadblocks. In a statement, PCTA officials said, “Their absence slows communication, crucial oversight and approvals, and long-term planning. In fact, our ability to send volunteer crews out will depend on how many unit staff have been furloughed; our staff will be working with these partners for project approvals.”

When the federal government shuts down, we end to put a lot of focus on the national parks. Will the parks remain open? And if they do, as is the case with the current budget crisis, how will they fare with most rangers furloughed? But what about all of the federally-managed public lands outside of the national park system? America’s long trails, which cross through a patchwork of federal and state lands, and whose hikers rely on numerous government resources, are not exempt from the impacts of a shutdown, even outside of the national parks.

In a statement, the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) said that, although the trail will remain open, “the effects of a federal shutdown are significant.”

The PCTA is immediately pausing all volunteer projects, which in 2024 accounted for 57,510 hours of maintenance and reconstruction. With partners at federal agencies such as the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management furloughed, the PCTA can’t coordinate on maintenance projects; volunteers must halt projects currently underway, and planning future maintenance projects becomes difficult. The PCTA said they’re working on rescheduling projects for when the shutdown ends.

Notably, federal funding directed to the PCTA resumed just a few days ago after months of uncertainty following cuts back in February that led to extreme reduction of trail work.This month’s shutdown is the latest in a series of hurdles that the PCTA has faced in addressing its outsize maintenance backlog.

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) has also paused maintenance work: “All volunteer projects on public lands are discontinued for the duration of the shutdown, including the remaining 2025 CDT volunteer projects on federal lands,” the organization said in a statement.

In addition to further deferring maintenance, the shutdown may impact permitting and reservation processes. An announcement on recreation.gov states that the site will remain operational during the shutdown, but “depending on agency operations, you may not be able to complete a reservation for any time in the future or complete a purchase for some passes during the lapse-in-funding period.” If hikers are unable to acquire permits for certain areas, the PCTA urges them to stay away.

Access to certain federally-managed portions of long trails may close, though it’s still unclear where and how far-reaching these closures may be. The AT, CDT, and PCT all pass through several national parks, which remain open at this time. Many parks appear to still be issuing wilderness permits as of today. Some facilities may close or remain unstaffed, though it’s still unclear the impact this might have on thru-, section- and dayhikers.

“The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) footpath and on-Trail facilities (shelters, campsites, privies) remain open, along with un-gated trailhead parking lots. Federal facilities and services along the Trail, like National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service visitor centers and campgrounds, may be closed,” the ATC wrote in a statement.

Similarly, “National public lands along the CDT remain open; however, we encourage hikers to check CDTC’s Closures and Alerts page regularly for updates in the coming days,” said the CDTC. The organization also stated that the shutdown should not impact the application process for U.S. hikers to access the trail’s southern terminus located within the newly-designated National Defense Area. As of yesterday, hikers must apply for a special permit with the U.S. army and undergo a background check to access the southernmost mile of the CDT; international hikers won’t be granted access. The CDTC said that the army does not anticipate delays in application processing during the shutdown.

According to the PCTA, “Search and rescue teams, first responders, and other essential staff will continue to operate, but disruptions are possible depending on how agencies define ‘essential.’ Our advice: make cautious decisions based on your skills, preparation, and comfort level.” The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) issued a similar warning to east coast hikers: emergency response could be delayed or unavailable during the shutdown, the organization said, and hikers should be prepared to self-evacuate in case of an emergency.

Before hitting the trail, hikers should research current closures in their area. It’s important to understand that federally-managed public lands are especially vulnerable in the absence of rangers and other federal employees who collect trash, maintain bathrooms, enforce rules, and provide countless resources for visitor safety and enjoyment.

“Government shutdowns create uncertainty and can put natural and cultural resources at risk,” said the CDTC. “Visitors to public lands are urged to practice Leave No Trace principles, follow regulations and guidelines, and act as responsible stewards of these irreplaceable landscapes.”