Advocates say park workers are being pulled from important roles to help manage traffic and maintain basic infrastructure.

When unemployed marine biologist Lanny Flaherty poked his head into the ranger's station at the Wallowa Whitman National Forest in the Pacific Northwest and asked to be a volunteer, he said it put him on a 13-year career path with the U.

National Park rangers throughout the US are warning of impending danger to visitors, wildlife and natural resources as job cuts and hiring freezes slash staffing at some of the country’s most beloved destinations.