The National Park System remained open and funded thanks to federal appropriations approved Jan. 23, despite a partial government shutdown in early February. The Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act ensured $2.88 billion in funding for the country’s national parks through the end of FY2026 – a figure mostly steady with last year’s appropriations.
The appropriations rejected a federal budget plan released last year that would have cut Park Service budgets by about $1 billion. The National Parks Conservation Association estimated those cuts would have eliminated funding and staffing for 350 park sites, reducing the NPS by 75%.
As written, the text does not prevent future workforce reductions and also reduces maintenance funds systemwide.
During a record government shutdown in 2025, local governments including Blount County each contributed about $45,500 a week to keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open during peak season.