Great Basin National Park Loses 20 Percent of Staff

A threat to the Park Visitor Experience and Rural Nevada Economy

Press Release issued on February 24, 2025

BAKER, NV—On Friday, February 14, Great Basin National Park experienced a significant workforce loss, with five of its 26 permanent rangers—20% of its staff—terminated. This comes at a critical time, as the Park already had eight unfilled permanent positions and was preparing to hire seasonal employees to accommodate peak summer visitation.

Great Basin National Park, located in a remote area of eastern Nevada, has seen a dramatic increase in visitors over the past two decades. Visitation has doubled while base funding for operations has remained stagnant. In 2023, the Park welcomed 143,000 visitors who contributed $15.4 million to the local economy, supporting 180 jobs and generating $7.7 million in labor income. Tourism to the region also accounted for $13.2 million in value-added income and $21.8 million in economic output.

“A 20% reduction in staff significantly impacts Park operations, visitor experience, and safety,” said Aviva O’Neil, Executive Director of the Great Basin National Park Foundation. “Visitor center hours may be reduced, access to Lehman Caves could be limited, and the Park’s highly popular astronomy programs may be canceled. The Park may even struggle to maintain basic services, such as keeping restrooms clean.”

Great Basin National Park has been recognized by USA Today and other media outlets as one of America’s best hidden national parks. Unlike many other national parks that experience overcrowding, Great Basin offers visitors a more intimate and nostalgic national park experience. “The Park provides so many opportunities for families and people of all ages,” said Greg Fine, Great Basin National Park Foundation Chair. “Visitors can embark on ranger-led cave tours, hike to the oldest trees on Earth, and end the day stargazing at ranger-led astronomy programs, all without an entrance fee. Rangers not only keep the Park clean and welcoming, but they also play a crucial role in visitor safety and resource protection.”

However, these experiences are now at risk due to the staff reductions.

Kyle Horvath, the Director of White Pine County Tourism and Recreation, related that two-thirds of White Pine’s taxable sales come from tourism - in 2023 this was a total of $64.5 million. Mr. Horvath stated that, “the national park is bringing in 150,000 people a year, which is our biggest draw. Services are extremely limited in this area, and if a person believes their national park experience may not be what they are looking for - that it may not include ranger led programs, an opportunity for a Lehman Caves tour, telescope viewing, open campgrounds, and clean bathrooms - they will be less likely to come to our area. That would be an enormous hit to our economy.”

The Great Basin National Park Foundation is actively exploring options to address this crisis and ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy the unique experiences the Park has to offer.

“We are working to find a temporary solution,” said O’Neil, “but to protect our national parks, keep them accessible to the public, and sustain the economies of national park gateway communities, adequate staffing is essential.”

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Additional information: 

Great Basin National Park Foundation was quick to offer urgent support. We created a Temporary Park Operations Team with a $25,000 investment and have hired all five employees on a temporary basis. With Great Basin Guardians’ help, the Foundation is creating a bridge to keep talented and trained individuals – people who are passionate about the NPS mission – on the ground until they can be hired as seasonal rangers.

Please consider making a gift to keep Great Basin National Park safe, secure, welcoming, and wonderful.

Your support is truly needed now more than ever.

Photo by Paul Atkinson, 2024 Great Basin National Park Artist-in-Residence