In a typical year, the streets of MOAB, Utah, would be bustling with SUVs packed with camping gear, rugged Jeeps, mountain bikes, and a noticeable presence of Canadian visitors. However, this is not a normal year.
Stephen Krause, a 51-year-old Canadian tourist from Alberta, noted the absence of his compatriots this year as he parked his Lexus SUV at a local grocery store. Throughout Main Street, businesses are experiencing a decline in Canadian tourists due to President Donald Trump’s fluctuating tariff policies and discussions about potentially integrating Canada as the 51st state.
Concerns extend beyond Canadian visitors, as American tourists are also reconsidering their plans due to federal job cuts that could impact nearby Arches and Canyonlands national parks, popular destinations attracting 3.6 million visitors annually.
The initial wave of layoffs initiated by Trump, with the promise of further reductions, has unsettled members of the outdoorsy community in MOAB, where approximately 6,300 federal employees are dispersed across the 3rd Congressional District. Worries about the repercussions on National Parks, maintenance issues like unclean restrooms, and traffic congestion near popular sites such as Hell’s Revenge, the Whole Enchilada, and Metal Masher have surfaced.
Local businesses are feeling the effects, with Lorenzo McGregor, co-owner of Tex’s Riverways, reporting a notable decrease in bookings from Canadian tourists due to Trump’s policies, resulting in estimated losses of around $10,000. McGregor remains hopeful that the impact on tourism will be temporary but is prepared to adjust operations if needed.
While some individuals view the job cuts as a positive step toward reducing federal involvement in public lands and energy development, others are apprehensive about the potential consequences. The desire for decreased federal oversight, particularly regarding off-road vehicle regulations, is highlighted in this region with a history rooted in the uranium boom post-World War II.
Despite calls for a streamlined government approach, concerns linger about the effectiveness of Trump’s cuts. McGregor, for instance, questions the necessity of certain bureaucratic procedures, such as the requirement to purchase a permit each time he launches a boat into Canyonlands, despite an existing overall permit governing his operations.
Amidst the uncertainties and varying opinions, the community in MOAB navigates the evolving landscape, hoping for a balance between economic prosperity and environmental conservation.
The hammer is the preferred approach.”Anticipating federal agencies doing ‘less with less’ Like many states in the West, Utah has been frustrated by the control of the federal government, which owns approximately 68% of the state’s land. State legislators have at times suggested plans to compel the federal government to transfer some of this land to them or sell it for development. This includes areas such as renowned national parks like Arches, Zion, and Bryce Canyon, as well as extensive sections of land managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, where development and oil extraction are largely prohibited. The Biden administration aimed to further restrict development on these lands, provoking discontent among locals who believe that diversifying the economy would be beneficial.Even though the 10,000 residents of Grand County in Moab favored Kamala Harris over Trump in the presidential election, Trump carried Utah as a whole with nearly 60% of the vote, and many elected officials support his initiatives to reduce the federal government’s size. Congresswoman Celeste Maloy, a Republican representing the western portion of Utah, remarked that while there is often criticism of federal agencies being expected to do more with fewer resources, “I would prefer to see agencies doing less with less.”The Blue Ribbon Coalition, a consortium of outdoor-focused businesses and advocates, has been engaged in ongoing disputes with the federal government over access to public lands. The coalition has repeatedly taken legal action to challenge agency management plans that limit vehicular access in order to preserve wilderness areas. Executive director Ben Burr stated that while he has many friends working in federal agencies and is not in favor of job losses, the coalition is seeking a significant shift in the “culture of no” among land managers. “Ultimately, we want these agencies to be led by capable individuals who care for the resources that we all love to appreciate in the outdoors,” he stated. “All too often, they prioritize land over everything else, which means they are choosing earth over the American people. There is a major adjustment that needs to be made.”Approximately 40,000 federal employees are based in Utah, and Trump’s budget cuts have already eliminated around 10,000 of these positions, according to certain estimates. Before the cuts, there were about 150 permanent and seasonal employees at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, as well as regional supervisors for the National Park Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management. The average salary of a federal employee is around $106,000, and they contribute significantly to the economy of a county heavily reliant on seasonal tourism.”The impact is substantial in our community due to our heavy dependence on federal lands,” noted Ashley Korenblat, president of the Moab Chamber of Commerce. Korenblat, who is also a recreation consultant and co-owner of Western Spirit Cycling Adventures, revealed that the company has already lost a $10,000 booking from long-standing Canadian clients who were upset about Trump’s policies and threats
The impact of staff cuts in national parks is not only affecting the livelihoods of local residents but also posing concerns for upcoming summer tourists. Kursat Gokalp, owner of Nuclear Bean Coffee Co. food truck, fears that without adequate services and enforcement, the parks may suffer from neglect and become unappealing to visitors. Despite President Trump’s plan to hire more seasonal workers this summer, uncertainties persist among business owners like Steven Allred of the Moab Tour Company, who worries about the potential shutdown of national parks and its impact on tourism.
As international tourist numbers decline due to various factors including travel restrictions and shifts in advertising strategies, businesses like Allred’s are bracing for an uncertain future. The community is hopeful but cautious about the outlook for the rest of 2025, emphasizing the need for better planning and foresight to avoid drastic consequences.
At Arches National Park, signs of budget cuts are not immediately evident, but concerns linger about safety and maintenance given the reduced staffing levels. Visitors continue to flock to the park to admire its natural wonders, despite the lack of visible ranger presence and limited facilities. While some support government downsizing in principle, visitors like Jeannine Acantilado and Dr. Steven Wolinsky express worries about the potential impact on park operations and visitor experience.
The future remains uncertain for businesses and visitors alike, as they navigate the ongoing challenges facing the national parks amidst staffing cuts and budget constraints.
“I believed that as an American taxpayer, I could access the park for $35 and be transported around – that’s an excellent deal,” stated Wolinsky, a cardiologist. “I felt that my tax money was put to good use.”The content was first published on USA TODAY: Concerns rise in tourist town over Trump’s Park Service reductions and tariff warnings.
