Secretary’s Order Calls for “Open and Accessible” National Parks

On Thursday, April 3rd, the Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum released a Secretary’s Order that aims to ensure national parks remain open and accessible.

This is a major step forward in protecting campground access and availability. The RV Industry Association and Outdoor Recreation Roundtable have been advocating for keeping parks and campgrounds open and staffed, and this order recognizes campgrounds as a key asset.

Keeping National Park Service campgrounds open and accessible was a request from the RV Industry Association during a recent discussion with the Secretary.

The order requires any closures or reductions in operating hours, seasons, or visitor services, including trails and campgrounds, to be reviewed by the NPS Director and the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks before any action is taken by individual park units. This helps safeguard against sudden closures.

The Secretary’s Order also states that “the Department shall take action to ensure that the National Park Service is properly staffed to support the operating hours and needs of each park unit.” Continued investment in the National Park Service workforce will ensure this order’s true success.

In addition to ensuring parks remain open, proper staffing and funding are crucial to keeping the parks and campgrounds running safely and smoothly. For RVers, this Secretary's Order, coupled with proper staffing and resources is critical. Adequate resources help safeguard against unexpected closures, giving the National Park Service staff the tools they need to safely open and operate parks and campgrounds and RVing families more certainty as they plan their trips. It helps ensure their summer visits won’t be cancelled at the last minute, which is especially important for park visitors coordinating travel logistics and campsite reservations.