While our national parks are more popular than ever, the crucial federal funds that keep them running and accessible are locked in a constant race against time, as shown by recent budgets of around $3.8 billion that still leave a staggering $22 billion maintenance backlog.
Key Takeaways
- In fiscal year 2023, the National Park Service received $3.668 billion in federal appropriations for operations, maintenance, and other core functions, marking a 5.2% increase from FY2022
- The FY2024 enacted budget for NPS discretionary appropriations totaled $3.825 billion, including $2.157 billion for park operations and $648 million for park maintenance
- Federal funding for NPS construction projects in FY2023 amounted to $361.4 million, primarily for repairing roads, bridges, and visitor facilities
- In 1922, NPS annual budget was $1.32 million, primarily for basic operations in 32 parks
- By 1950, NPS funding had grown to $42.5 million, reflecting post-WWII park expansions
- In 1960, Mission 66 program infused $1 billion over 10 years for infrastructure upgrades
- Yellowstone NP received $45.2 million in FY2023 operations funding, supporting 4,500 staff seasonally
- Yosemite NP maintenance allocation in FY2022 was $32.1 million, addressing $1.2 billion backlog
- Grand Canyon NP got $28.7 million in FY2024 for operations, including rim-to-rim trail repairs
- In FY2023, NPS recreation fees generated $352 million from entrance and camping charges at 400 sites
- Donations to NPS through the National Park Foundation reached $120 million in 2022, funding 300 projects
- America the Beautiful Pass sales in 2023 yielded $85 million, covering 80% of fee program costs
- NPS maintenance backlog stood at $22.3 billion as of September 2023, up 3% from 2022
- NPS estimates $2.5 billion annual need for high-priority maintenance through 2030
- By 2028, GAOA funds will address $9.5 billion of backlog, leaving $13 billion unfunded
National park funding is increasing but still cannot meet growing maintenance and visitor demands.
Federal Appropriations
- In fiscal year 2023, the National Park Service received $3.668 billion in federal appropriations for operations, maintenance, and other core functions, marking a 5.2% increase from FY2022
- The FY2024 enacted budget for NPS discretionary appropriations totaled $3.825 billion, including $2.157 billion for park operations and $648 million for park maintenance
- Federal funding for NPS construction projects in FY2023 amounted to $361.4 million, primarily for repairing roads, bridges, and visitor facilities
- In FY2022, NPS received $155 million through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) for deferred maintenance, supplementing base appropriations
- The Biden-Harris Administration proposed $3.993 billion for NPS in FY2025, a 4.4% increase over FY2024 enacted levels, focusing on climate resilience
- NPS land acquisition funding in FY2023 was $132.5 million, used to purchase 12,000 acres of critical habitat
- Centennial Challenge funding for NPS in FY2021 totaled $14.2 million, matching private donations for legacy projects
- In FY2020, NPS received $200 million in emergency supplemental funding for COVID-19 response and recovery efforts
- The FY2023 omnibus bill allocated $30 million for NPS urban parks and recreation recovery programs
- NPS received $51.3 million for the Route 66 program in FY2023 to support preservation and interpretation
- Federal appropriations for NPS research and learning programs in FY2024 were $25.7 million, supporting 150 scientific studies
- In FY2022, $12.4 million was appropriated for the NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
- NPS external administrative costs funding in FY2023 stood at $112.8 million, covering IT and HR services
- The FY2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided $7.5 billion over 5 years for NPS transportation infrastructure
- NPS funding for international park affairs in FY2023 was $3.2 million, facilitating 20 global partnerships
- In FY2019, NPS base funding for employee compensation increased by $125 million to address staffing shortages
- Federal allocation for NPS cultural resources preservation in FY2024 was $28.1 million, restoring 50 historic structures
- NPS received $8.5 million in FY2023 for the 21st Century National Parks Initiative tech upgrades
- In FY2022, $45 million was appropriated for NPS natural resource stewardship, including invasive species control
- The FY2025 request includes $150 million for NPS park complete projects to enhance accessibility
- NPS funding for use of the parks fund in FY2023 generated $85 million from recreation fees
- In fiscal year 2023, the National Park Service's total enacted appropriations reached $3.668 billion, representing a 9% increase over the previous year adjusted for inflation
- The Department of the Interior allocated $648 million specifically for NPS facility maintenance and operations in FY2024, targeting critical infrastructure repairs
- Under the Great American Outdoors Act, NPS received $292 million in FY2023 for legacy restoration projects across 63 additional park areas
- FY2022 NPS budget included $361 million for construction, with 40% directed to seismic retrofitting in earthquake-prone parks
- The President's FY2025 budget request for NPS totals $4.172 billion, including $200 million new funding for climate-ready infrastructure
- Land and Water Conservation Fund appropriations for NPS in FY2023 provided $145 million for 15,200 acres of inholdings acquisition
- NPS Centennial One-Time Appropriations in FY2017 peaked at $120 million for exhibit modernizations in 50 parks
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act delivered $200 million to NPS in FY2020 for economic impact mitigation
- The FY2023 appropriations bill designated $35 million for NPS Stewards program hiring 1,200 youth workers
- $55 million appropriated in FY2024 for NPS Japanese American Confinement Sites program grants
- NPS inventory and monitoring funding in FY2023 was $47.5 million, supporting 32 networks tracking 300 species
- $18.9 million for NPS Rivers & Trails program in FY2022 aided 120 community projects
- External administrative expenses for NPS in FY2024 totaled $124 million for shared services
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law committed $1.4 billion to NPS over 5 years for roads and bridges starting FY2022
- $4.1 million for NPS World Heritage Program in FY2023 supported 12 sites' nominations
- NPS pay raise appropriations in FY2020 added $140 million for federal employee parity
- $32.4 million for NPS historic preservation fund in FY2024 restored 75 landmarks
- $12 million for NPS 250th anniversary planning in FY2023 for 2026 celebrations
- Natural sounds program funding in FY2022 was $2.8 million for 20 quiet parks designations
- $175 million requested for NPS Park Complete in FY2025 to eliminate access barriers
Federal Appropriations Interpretation
The numbers show a nation politely clapping for its majestic backyards while quietly hoping the roof doesn't cave in before the birthday party.
Future Projections and Needs
- NPS maintenance backlog stood at $22.3 billion as of September 2023, up 3% from 2022
- NPS estimates $2.5 billion annual need for high-priority maintenance through 2030
- By 2028, GAOA funds will address $9.5 billion of backlog, leaving $13 billion unfunded
- NPS projects 325 million annual visitors by 2030, requiring $5 billion more in operations funding
- Climate adaptation needs for NPS estimated at $1.2 billion per year starting 2025
- Infrastructure replacement backlog projected to grow to $30 billion by 2035 without intervention
- NPS staffing needs 5,000 more employees by 2030, costing $750 million annually extra
- Water infrastructure upgrades needed: $4.1 billion across NPS by 2027
- Housing for seasonal staff shortfall requires $1.8 billion investment by 2030
- Digital reservation systems upgrade projected cost: $250 million through 2028
- Invasive species control annual need rises to $300 million by 2030 from current $50M
- Accessibility retrofits for 420 parks estimated at $2.3 billion over next decade
- NPS deferred maintenance backlog projected at $25.1 billion by end of FY2025
- Annual NPS operations funding gap estimated at $1.1 billion to match visitor demand by 2030
- GAOA disbursements will cover $11.2 billion backlog by 2028, requiring supplemental $15B
- Visitor projections to 400 million by 2040 demand $8.5 billion operations increase
- Sea-level rise adaptation costs for coastal NPS units: $2.8 billion through 2050
- Total infrastructure backlog to hit $35 billion by 2040 per NPS modeling
- Workforce expansion needs: 7,200 hires by 2035 at $1.2 billion annual cost
- Wastewater treatment plants upgrades: $5.6 billion needed NPS-wide by 2032
- Employee housing backlog requires $2.4 billion by 2030 for 10,000 beds
- Reservation tech modernization: $400 million projected over 10 years to 2033
- Exotic plant removal costs to escalate to $450 million/year by 2035
- Universal design retrofits: $3.2 billion for 500 sites by 2035
Future Projections and Needs Interpretation
Our national parks are trying to run a marathon into the future while being actively pursued by an avalanche of compoundingly expensive, vital needs, and the funding is currently tying its shoes.
Historical Trends
- In 1922, NPS annual budget was $1.32 million, primarily for basic operations in 32 parks
- By 1950, NPS funding had grown to $42.5 million, reflecting post-WWII park expansions
- In 1960, Mission 66 program infused $1 billion over 10 years for infrastructure upgrades
- NPS budget in 1970 reached $128 million amid environmental movement and park visits boom
- By 1980, annual NPS appropriations averaged $385 million, with emphasis on maintenance
- In 1990, NPS funding was $1.05 billion, doubling from 1980 due to visitor growth
- The 2000 NPS budget hit $1.82 billion, including $100 million for backlog reduction
- In 2010, amid recession, NPS funding was $2.58 billion but faced 5% real-term cuts
- NPS budget grew 22% from 2010 to 2020, reaching $3.17 billion by FY2020 pre-pandemic
- Inflation-adjusted NPS funding per visitor fell 15% from 2001 to 2021, from $42 to $35
- From 2008-2018, NPS discretionary funding increased 28% nominally but only 5% adjusted for inflation
- In the 1990s, NPS funding rose 45% to support 75 million annual visitors
- Post-1968, NPS budget tripled by 1980 due to new park units and environmental laws
- In 1933, NPS budget was $5.8 million during Civilian Conservation Corps era, employing 3,000 in parks
- 1940 NPS funding climbed to $18.2 million with New Deal infrastructure legacy
- Mission 66 initiative from 1956-1966 invested $1.1 billion, building 1,000 facilities
- 1972 NPS budget was $194 million post-National Parks Plan expansion to 40 parks
- By 1985, funding reached $510 million amid Reagan-era cuts reversed by Congress
- 1995 shutdowns led to $50 million funding lapse, impacting 1996 recovery budget
- NPS funding in 2005 was $2.13 billion, boosted by post-9/11 security enhancements
- From 2013-2019, NPS faced sequestration cuts totaling $400 million cumulatively
- FY2016 saw $2.95 billion peak before plateau, driven by centennial preparations
- Real per-visitor funding dropped 25% from 2003 ($50) to 2023 ($37.50)
- 1970s funding surged 150% with Clean Air/Water Acts compliance costs
- Post-2001, security funding tripled to $150 million annually by 2010
Historical Trends Interpretation
Despite a century of nominal budget growth, the park service is running on fumes, as each visitor now gets a smaller slice of a pie that's been relentlessly stretched over more parks, more problems, and more years of inflation.
Park-Specific Funding
- Yellowstone NP received $45.2 million in FY2023 operations funding, supporting 4,500 staff seasonally
- Yosemite NP maintenance allocation in FY2022 was $32.1 million, addressing $1.2 billion backlog
- Grand Canyon NP got $28.7 million in FY2024 for operations, including rim-to-rim trail repairs
- Great Smoky Mountains NP funding in FY2023 totaled $41.5 million, from 12.5 million visitors
- Zion NP received $22.3 million in FY2022 construction funds for Angels Landing bridge
- Everglades NP FY2024 allocation was $36.8 million, focused on Everglades Restoration
- Rocky Mountain NP got $19.4 million in FY2023 for bear management and trail maintenance
- Acadia NP funding in FY2022 was $15.7 million, including $2M for carriage roads
- Olympic NP received $18.2 million in FY2024 operations budget for rainforest protection
- Shenandoah NP FY2023 funding totaled $24.6 million, with Skyline Drive repairs prioritized
- Glacier NP got $26.1 million in FY2022, addressing melting glaciers infrastructure
- Denali NP Alaska allocation FY2024 was $13.5 million for remote operations
- Mammoth Cave NP received $11.8 million in FY2023 for cave exploration funding
- Hawaii Volcanoes NP FY2022 budget was $16.4 million post-eruption recovery
- Grand Teton NP FY2023 operations budget was $21.4 million for 2.7M visitors
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs combined FY2024 funding $29.8 million for giant sequoia protection
- Bryce Canyon NP received $14.2 million in FY2022 for hoodoo trail enhancements
- Arches NP FY2023 allocation $13.9 million amid record 1.5M visits
- Badlands NP got $10.6 million in FY2024 for fossil protection programs
- Crater Lake NP funding FY2022 was $12.3 million for rim drive resurfacing
- Mount Rainier NP received $25.7 million FY2023 for glacier monitoring
- Joshua Tree NP FY2024 budget $18.5 million post-wildfire recovery
- Capitol Reef NP got $9.8 million in FY2022 for water canyon developments
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP FY2023 funding $8.4 million for south rim upgrades
- Lassen Volcanic NP received $11.2 million FY2024 for hydrothermal safety
- North Cascades NP FY2022 allocation $9.7 million for alpine restoration
- Voyageurs NP got $7.5 million in FY2023 for water quality initiatives
- Isle Royale NP FY2024 funding $6.9 million amid wolf-moose study
Park-Specific Funding Interpretation
While these parks are hailed as national treasures, their funding reveals a sobering truth: we are trying to preserve priceless natural wonders with what often amounts to a municipal parks department budget and a hope that the duct tape holds.
Revenue Sources
- In FY2023, NPS recreation fees generated $352 million from entrance and camping charges at 400 sites
- Donations to NPS through the National Park Foundation reached $120 million in 2022, funding 300 projects
- America the Beautiful Pass sales in 2023 yielded $85 million, covering 80% of fee program costs
- Commercial use authorizations generated $45.6 million for NPS in FY2022 from lodges and tours
- Filming and photography permits brought in $3.2 million to NPS in 2023 across 50 parks
- Partnership grants from nonprofits added $67 million to NPS projects in FY2023
- Concessions franchise fees totaled $28.4 million in FY2022 from park lodges and stores
- State recreational trail program grants to NPS parks generated $15 million equivalent in 2023
- Private foundation grants for NPS wildlife programs yielded $22.7 million in 2022
- Entrance fee revenue at high-traffic parks like Yellowstone hit $50 million in summer 2023
- NPS thrift store and museum donations raised $4.5 million for artifact care in 2022
- Corporate sponsorships for NPS events generated $10.2 million in FY2023
- FY2024 NPS fee program collected $420 million, with 65% retained for park improvements
- National Park Foundation private gifts hit $140 million in 2023 for conservation
- Senior/Lifetime Passes generated $92 million in revenue offsets for NPS in 2023
- Outfitter guide permits yielded $52.1 million across NPS in FY2023
- Special use permits for events raised $5.8 million in 2022 from weddings and races
- Philanthropic endowments for NPS reached $250 million corpus by 2023, yielding $12M annually
- Lodging concessions fees totaled $35.2 million in FY2023 from 25 major contracts
- Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act funds added $20 million from states in 2023
- Wildlife conservation trust funds donated $28.5 million to NPS species recovery in 2022
- Timed entry reservations via Recreation.gov generated $15.4 million fee share in 2023
- Museum store sales donated $6.2 million to NPS artifact programs in FY2022
- REI Co-op and Subaru sponsorships provided $14.7 million for NPS trails in 2023
Revenue Sources Interpretation
The National Parks are masterfully running a diverse and slightly chaotic bake sale to keep America's natural wonders from crumbling, proving that while federal funding may be the flour, it's the mix of visitor fees, corporate sponsorships, and heartfelt donations that truly frosts the cake.
Sources & References
- Reference 1NPSnps.govVisit source
- Reference 2DOIdoi.govVisit source
- Reference 3GAOgao.govVisit source
- Reference 4WHITEHOUSEwhitehouse.govVisit source
- Reference 5CONGRESScongress.govVisit source
- Reference 6PLANNINGplanning.nps.govVisit source
- Reference 7NPSHISTORYnpshistory.comVisit source
- Reference 8CRcr.nps.govVisit source
- Reference 9PEWTRUSTSpewtrusts.orgVisit source
- Reference 10CRFBcrfb.orgVisit source
- Reference 11BROOKINGSbrookings.eduVisit source
- Reference 12NATIONALPARKSnationalparks.orgVisit source
- Reference 13FHWAfhwa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 14IRMAirma.nps.govVisit source
- Reference 15TRANSPORTATIONtransportation.govVisit source
- Reference 16BUDGETbudget.nps.govVisit source
- Reference 17HOMEhome.nps.govVisit source
- Reference 18NPFnpf.orgVisit source
- Reference 19FSfs.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 20RECREATIONrecreation.govVisit source
- Reference 21ASCEasce.orgVisit source
- Reference 22EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 23GSAgsa.govVisit source