And as an example of cuts at Zion, the GAO said it reduced cleaning at a heavily used restroom from twice to once a day. "After reducing the cleaning frequency, they received several complaints about the condition of the facilities," the GAO said.

Besides operational money, parks also receive varying amounts each year for construction and other projects — and additional money from visitor fees for projects.

The GAO proposed that the Park Service use some of the visitor fee money to pay the salary of employees who oversee projects funded by such money. That is allowed by law, but the Park Service has banned that practice — and pays such employees through operations budgets.

The GAO noted that about 80 percent of all operational budgets go toward personnel costs, so using some project money for that could help relieve pressure and prevent service cuts.

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