How federal grant freeze could impact Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — As the weather begins to warm up in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, those planning a trip to the wilderness might run into messy trails, unkempt bathrooms and fewer park rangers in the area. 

Due to a looming widespread federal government funding freeze, the National Park Service said it had to lay off over 2,000 people. According to Phil Francis, the chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, a freeze would stress park employees. 

He said this stress comes from asking the employees to do more work for less pay. He also said when park employees get cut, budget cuts are normally close behind, meaning the employees won’t be the only ones who feel the effects of the freeze.

“There’s fewer people to serve the visitors,” Francis said. “There’s fewer people to protect the park resources whether its buildings or trails or emergency rescues.” 

Francis said there are many aspects of managing a park, comparing it to that of running a small town. 

The park welcomed over 13 million visitors in 2023, which is 1 million more than in 2024. The previous year was the park’s second-highest year on record, bringing in triple the amount of visitors seen at the Grand Canyon in the same year.