With the federal shutdown stretching into its second week, Yosemite National Park faces a rising wave of illegal activity: squatters are spreading through campgrounds, BASE jumpers are diving off El Capitan, and climbers are scaling Half Dome cables without permits.
An inside source says ranger presence has been slashed to nearly zero—with just a single volunteer “ranger” covering all 1,169 square miles of wilderness. Campgrounds once tightly regulated are now overrun, and video footage shows rule-breaking in broad daylight.
Officials maintain that critical services for life and property protection are still active, claiming law enforcement rangers remain on duty. But critics argue that limited oversight is emboldening reckless behavior, putting both visitors and park resources at risk.