As of mid-May, campgrounds, boat ramps, and other recreational facilities at federal lakes and reservoirs across six states will experience closures or reduced operating hours due to staffing shortages and budget restrictions implemented by the Trump administration. Officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for these amenities for boating, camping, hiking, and sightseeing, cited the necessity of concentrating staff at fewer sites to maintain the "full range of services" that visitors anticipate.
Douglas Garman, a spokesperson for the Corps, explained that this operational adjustment aims to enhance service continuity while also safeguarding hydropower and dam operations. The Omaha district office, which oversees a broad area of the Great Plains, including western Iowa, Nebraska, and parts of Montana, acknowledged the potential disruption to public travel plans caused by these operational changes, emphasizing that such decisions are not made lightly.
The Corps’ modifications come amidst a federal hiring freeze imposed by President Donald Trump after he began his second term in January. The Department of Government Efficiency is actively seeking to reduce tens of thousands of government jobs, which further exacerbates the challenges faced by the Corps in maintaining full operational capabilities.
Residents of Pickstown, South Dakota, have expressed dismay over the decision to close the visitor center at the Fort Randall Dam and to suspend powerhouse tours beginning May 1. Cindy Broyhill, the president of the town's Board of Trustees, highlighted the significant tourist traffic to the dam and questioned the rationale behind these cuts, suggesting there may be alternative locations for budget reduction that would have less impact on local communities.
Similarly, in western Kansas, Sue Graham, the manager of Knothead’s Bait Shop and Camping Supply near Wilson Lake, expressed skepticism regarding the Corps’ plan to limit the campsite usage to daytime only starting May 15. Graham noted that the campsite is primarily frequented by local residents who own nearby boat ramps, arguing that the operational changes would not yield substantial savings and could ultimately lead to a decrease in fee revenues that support local businesses.
The Kansas City district has announced the closure of visitor information centers at two Kansas lakes: Hillsdale, located outside the Kansas City area, and Kanopolis in central Kansas. Additionally, overnight camping will be prohibited at 25 "primitive" sites in Harlan County Lake in western Nebraska, though the areas will remain accessible during the day. Emily Coffin, the district’s natural resource section chief, explained that the district has been implementing efficiency measures over the past several years, leading to fewer direct interactions between visitors and staff.
Recent closures have affected various regions, with the Baltimore district shutting down three campgrounds at Raystown Lake and other facilities in Pennsylvania. The Omaha district announced plans to close six campgrounds in the Dakotas and reduce tours of several dam powerhouses in South Dakota and Montana. In southeastern Washington state, two visitor centers and eight camping areas have been closed as well.
In statements regarding these closures, Lt. Col. Katie Werbeck, commander of the southeastern Washington district, asserted that by concentrating resources on fewer recreational sites, essential missions could be better maintained, despite the inevitable challenges posed to public access and recreational opportunities.
