Yosemite National Park Faces Surge of Illegal Activities Amid Government Shutdown

A wave of squatters, unauthorized climbers, and base jumpers is descending upon Yosemite National Park as California deals with staffing shortages stemming from the ongoing government shutdown.

Recent videos circulating online reveal crowds of reckless jumpers launching off El Capitan and climbers scaling Half Dome’s 8,839-foot cable without permits. Additionally, many trespassers have occupied closed campgrounds, openly disregarding park regulations, according to local accounts.

John DeGrazio, founder of YExplore Yosemite Adventures, noted, “It’s like the Wild Wild West.” He emphasized that the lack of enforcement during this shutdown has made some visitors feel emboldened.

Since the government shut down on October 1, National Park Service employees have been furloughed without pay, though an emergency policy has kept federal parks open. A park official, who spoke anonymously, mentioned that only one volunteer conservation officer is patrolling the expansive 1,169-square-mile area.

According to this official, “There are a lot of squatters in the campground. Many believe they can do whatever they wish because there are no Rangers around. They’ve told us that.”

Local mountaineer Charles Winstead shared his experience, mentioning that he recorded at least a dozen BASE jumpers this week. This extreme sport, which involves jumping from fixed structures and deploying parachutes, was actually pioneered in Yosemite during the 1970s but was banned in national parks in the 1980s.

Winstead described the thrilling yet alarming experience: “You hear it before you see it. Then the parachute opens, and it gets quiet. But it happens so frequently that I hardly even look up anymore.”

The Department of the Interior, responsible for overseeing the National Park Service, acknowledged it is aware of the increasing law violations and intends to investigate further. Importantly, they pointed out that essential staff members, tasked with protecting public safety, continue to operate in the park.

However, the actual number of federal agents currently patrolling Yosemite remains uncertain. A department spokesperson emphasized that “law enforcement remains on duty” and highlighted the significant safety risks associated with BASE jumping, reaffirming that such activities are illegal in all national parks, including Yosemite.