More National Parks Could Close As The Government Shutdown Lumbers On; What You Need To Know

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Colorado National Parks, Utah National Parks, California National Parks, New Mexico National Parks, Mammoth Caves National Parks, Gateway Arch National Park, Arizona National Parks, Acadia National Park, Why Conservationists Are Concerned

October is a great time to visit U.S. national parks for peak fall foliage or even just to enjoy nature before colder temperatures settle in. However, with the shutdown of the federal government lingering on, it can be confusing figuring out which national parks are open, closed or operating under reduced staffing.

The National Park Service has a contingency plan that says park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials will “generally remain accessible to visitors.” However, if a park is usually locked or secured during non-business hours, the NPS plan says it will stay locked for the duration of the shutdown.

Many park websites and social media pages aren’t being updated because of the shutdown and parks that are open now, may close if the government shutdown continues.

So here’s what we’ve been able to find out about the status of some national parks across the country.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The most visited national park in the country reopened on Saturday, Oct. 4. A statement from Sevier County says the park is fully open and operational thanks to financial support and partnership between state and local governments, as well as groups like Friends of the Smokies and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Colorado National Parks

Visitor centers and historic buildings at Colorado’s national parks are closed, but Governor Jared Polis said all eight national park properties that charge fees are staying open throughout the shutdown or until fee revenue runs out. Those eight parks are:

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Colorado National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument

Florissant Fossil Beds

Great Sand Dunes

Mesa Verde

Rocky Mountain

Hovenweep National Monument

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Colorado National Parks, Utah National Parks, California National Parks, New Mexico National Parks, Mammoth Caves National Parks, Gateway Arch National Park, Arizona National Parks, Acadia National Park, Why Conservationists Are Concerned

Utah National Parks

At Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion national parks services like trash collection, restrooms and water are still being provided.

While the Cedar Breaks national monument is also fully open, the visitor centers at Hovenweep and Natural Bridges are closed.

California National Parks

California’s nine national parks are mostly open, but services are limited.

NPR reports that visitors have been turned away from Muir Woods National Monument, near San Francisco, famous for its ancient, coastal redwood trees.

At Joshua Tree, the Black Rock Nature Center is closed, along with headquarters offices.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Colorado National Parks, Utah National Parks, California National Parks, New Mexico National Parks, Mammoth Caves National Parks, Gateway Arch National Park, Arizona National Parks, Acadia National Park, Why Conservationists Are Concerned

New Mexico National Parks

Tourists are also being turned away from White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.

Local reports say visitors with reservations received emails cancelling those bookings and issuing refunds.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Colorado National Parks, Utah National Parks, California National Parks, New Mexico National Parks, Mammoth Caves National Parks, Gateway Arch National Park, Arizona National Parks, Acadia National Park, Why Conservationists Are Concerned

Mammoth Caves National Parks

All tours of Kentucky’s Mammoth Caves have been cancelled but the roads and above-ground hiking trails are still open.

Gateway Arch National Park

According to local reports, the Gateway Arch is closed to visitors, and the ride that takes people to the top of the arch will likely stay closed for the duration of the shutdown.

Arizona National Parks

Visitor centers at Saguaro National Park and the Grand Canyon are closed, but the parks are open to visitors.

At last check, shuttles at the Grand Canyon were running.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Colorado National Parks, Utah National Parks, California National Parks, New Mexico National Parks, Mammoth Caves National Parks, Gateway Arch National Park, Arizona National Parks, Acadia National Park, Why Conservationists Are Concerned

Acadia National Park

Local reports in Maine say Acadia National Park is open and the number of visitors hasn’t slowed down, even though visitor centers and ticket booths are closed.

Rockefeller Hall and the Sieur de Monts Nature Center are also staying closed, but Cadillac Summit Road, which takes visitors to the highest peak in Acadia, was reopened over the weekend.

Why Conservationists Are Concerned

During the last government shutdown in 2018 and 2019, many national parks reported significant damage and vandalism. Trash piled up, bathrooms overflowed and trees were cut down. That has some groups calling for all parks to be closed to prevent similar destruction this time around.

The National Parks Conservation Association has a petition on its website encouraging people to tell the U.S. Department of the Interior to close the parks, stating:

“It’s tragic, but until the federal government reopens, the administration should require national parks to close their gates to safeguard our most cherished places and keep visitors safe. Park staff should not be forced to swing the gates open and walk away.”

Post Related