What Happened?

The National Park Service's maintenance backlog reached $24.237 billion in fiscal 2025, with paved roads and buildings accounting for roughly 55 percent of it. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a new report on deferred maintenance at the National Park Service (NPS). ​

The NPS deferred-maintenance backlog reached $24.237 billion for fiscal 2025, up 114 percent in nominal dollars from fiscal 2016. Paved roads and buildings alone account for $13.431 billion of that total, about 55 percent.

The Great American Outdoors Act, enacted in 2020, created the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), which provided $1.9 billion annually for fiscal years 2021 through 2025. That authorization expired after fiscal 2025, and Congress did not provide line-item construction funding for fiscal 2026 except for one designated project.

Why Does it Matter to Me?

If neither chamber acts, the dedicated funding stream for National Park Service repairs will stay expired into fiscal 2027. California carries the largest share of any state or territory at $4.296 billion, more than twice Washington, D.C.'s $2.054 billion, among the 20 states and territories listed in the CRS report. Annual discretionary appropriations for NPS maintenance declined after the LRF became available. Two bills would restore the funding: the America the Beautiful Act in the Senate and a companion House measure.

Both Sides, Now

The Legacy Restoration Fund provided $1.9 billion a year for fiscal 2021 through 2025, with 70% directed to the National Park Service. NPS's $24.237 billion deferred-maintenance backlog is more than twice the Forest Service's, more than three times the Bureau of Land Management's, and nearly seven times the Fish and Wildlife Service's.

Opponents question whether the underlying numbers can be trusted. The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General found that NPS could not effectively identify and manage deferred maintenance because its system data were "inaccurate and unreliable." The Government Accountability Office added that limited reporting on estimate changes "compromised the availability of information Congress may need."

What Happens Next?

The America the Beautiful Act is in "Floor Consideration" status in the Senate, while the House bill was ordered reported by committee but remains there. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) sponsors the Senate bill, and Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) sponsors the House version.

To restore the dedicated funding stream, at least one of the two bills must pass both chambers and be signed into law before the lapse extends further into fiscal 2027. The Senate holds the next key step, as the America the Beautiful Act awaits a floor vote. Will Congress act before the backlog grows even larger?

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