You Can Still Visit These National Parks During the Government Shutdown
At more than 30 days, we’re currently experiencing the longest government shutdown in United States history which has affected our precious National Parks in different ways.
Many visitor centers and services are not in operation including restrooms and trash collection, which can have a devastating impact on the land if left unattended for too long. Especially considering most areas like park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials are still accessible to the general public, but over 85% of National Park Service (NPS) employees are not able to work.
Before you make a trip, be sure to contact the park to find out what will be accessible and ask about any safety precautions you should take, as security and emergency personnel will be lighter than usual. If you plan to stay at a campground, hotel, or lodge, be sure to confirm your reservation status. You can do this by phone, on the park's website, or possibly even social media.
You can also find a lot of information about the status of your park here.
Once the shutdown is over, the NPS is going to need our help. You can click here to donate or to volunteer your time.
For now, you can still enjoy the following National Parks: