Since the government shut down on October 1, several national parks have closed. And while some remain open, they’re wildly understaffed. Over the past weeks, visitors have taken advantage of that. Illegal BASE jumpers have been seen launching off El Capitan, hikers are scaling Half Dome without permits, and squatters are setting up camp in closed areas. Without full staffing, Yosemite National Park’s vast expanse has turned into a testing ground for thrill-seekers and opportunists looking to take advantage of the lack of these unpatrolled wide open spaces.
BASE jumping has deep roots at El Capitan where it was popularized in the 1970s, but has since required a permit to partake in. And doing so not only puts participants but rescuers at risk. The National Park Service confirms that BASE jumping is prohibited in all U.S. national parks, carrying penalties of up to $5,000 in fines and six months in jail.
The parks have also reported guests squatting in campsites well beyond their designated reservation times. And when rules go unenforced, it poses a serious threat to the parks and the wildlife that call them home. There’s a fear in many environmentalists that these actions will result in a similar defacing of the parks to what happened to Joshua Tree during the shutdown of 2018. When furloughed staff returned to the park, there were grafitti-tagged rock formations, plains littered with garbage, and tire tracks where areas for protected animal species once were.
It’s important to remember that parks belong to all of us, and it’s on each visitor to act as steward in these times. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind in order to protect Yosemite, and every park across the West during the shutdown and beyond.
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No BASE jumping without a permit. It’s banned in all national parks under federal “air delivery” laws. Violators can face fines and jail time.
Half Dome cables require a permit. Between May and October, you must hold a valid permit to ascend.
Camp only in designated sites. Though it’s temping given how tough it is to get a campsite these days, “stealth” camping harms habitats and is considered trespassing.
Use only approved fire rings. Also be sure to skip the fire altogether during red-flag days.
Store food properly. Bears that access human food are often euthanized; your caution can save a life.
Leave No Trace. Pack it in, pack it out. Stay on trails, avoid picking plants, and never carve or paint on rocks.
Give wildlife space. At least 25 yards should be left between humans and most animals, and 100 yards for bears and wolves.
Keep it quiet. Natural silence is part of the experience; avoid drones and amplified music. That means you, speaker hikers.
Park responsibly. Leave your car only in designated areas, and never block emergency routes.
Know that help is limited. Fewer rangers means slower rescues. Don’t take unnecessary risks.
Respect cultural and natural resources. Graffiti, carving, and collecting materials is illegal. Respect wild spaces.