Elon Musk’s DOGE Shuts Down Camp Verde’s National Park Service Office

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced on March 6 that it will vacate the General Services Administration’s lease for the facilities used by Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments. This administrative headquarters is located at 527 S. Main Street in Camp Verde.

The National Park Service (NPS) emphasized its commitment to visitor services. “We are collaborating with GSA to explore alternative options while focusing on innovative workforce management,” stated the NPS Office of Public Affairs. They stressed their ongoing goal to provide excellent customer service, ensuring visitors can continue to engage with the national parks.

When approached for further comments, NPS officials declined to provide additional information, indicating, “We have nothing further for you at this time.”

The DOGE’s website noted that the annual rent for the Camp Verde location is $53,544, but it did not specify potential savings or present a timeline for the lease termination.

This cancellation is part of a broader initiative involving 24 federal office leases in Arizona. These leases vary significantly in cost, from an $11,013 lease for the Small Business Administration in Show Low to a $1.1 million lease for public defenders’ offices in Phoenix.

Two additional leases for NPS offices in Flagstaff, which serve the Wupatki, Sunset Crater Volcano, and Walnut Canyon national monuments, will also be terminated.

The National Parks Conservation Association raised concerns about staff reductions, stating, “The National Park Service has lost 9% of its workforce in recent weeks due to firings and resignations.” They warned that remaining staff are already overextended, and the recent lease cancellations and layoffs do not enhance efficiency, potentially jeopardizing the future of the parks.