Base-Jumpers, Squatters, & Illegal Activity: Yosemite Becoming the “Wild West” Amidst Government Shutdown
11th October 2025
Just over a week into the Oct. 1 government shutdown, Yosemite National Park has seen a surge of illegal activity — from BASE jumping off El Capitan to unpermitted ascents of Half Dome’s cables, according to SF Gate.
“It’s like the Wild Wild West,” said John DeGrazio, founder of YExplore Yosemite Adventures. While he has long encountered permit violators on Half Dome, he said the shutdown has emboldened visitors: “These people are counting on no enforcement because of the shutdown.”
With rangers furloughed, enforcement is scarce. A park employee told SFGATE only one wilderness ranger — actually a volunteer — is currently patrolling. “There are lots of squatters in the campgrounds,” the employee said. “There are lots of people that truly believe they can do whatever they want because of the lack of rangers. They’ve told us.”
People doing things without government permission! The horror! The horror!