After 43 days, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history ended on November 12, 2025. The very next day, federal operations resumed as normal, at least on the surface.

National parks, which had been operating with a skeleton staff, immediately brought back their furloughed rangers. By Thursday morning, park staff were seen at the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, taking fees like nothing had ever happened. The National Park Service even resumed its charmingly witty social media posts less than 24 hours after the government reopened.

Of course, a lot happened in U.S. national parks over those 43 days . Career paths were altered, and significant revenue was lost. Behind the bravado and the “normal,” national parks staff, former staff, and affiliated nonprofits all have the sam

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