As I slowly navigated the icy street main into Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, I discovered myself feeling uneasy; and it wasn’t simply due to the slippery street.
I used to be visiting the Grand Canyon within the first couple of days of 2019. It was purported to be a enjoyable vacation break journey with a pal who’s all the time dreamed of visiting the Grand Canyon. However our go to sadly coincided with a partial authorities shutdown that was, at that time, going into its second week.
The Nationwide Park Service is a federal company, and is one that’s virtually all the time affected when the US authorities shuts down over budgetary points.
I knew we may nonetheless go to the Grand Canyon in the course of the 2019 shutdown; after backlash over nationwide parks and lands fully closing throughout a shutdown in October 2013, adjustments have been made to how the Nationwide Park Service handled shutdowns. Most NPS lands remained technically open to guests.
However simply since you can go to a nationwide park throughout a shutdown does not essentially imply you ought to.
After the 2018-19 shutdown when ignorant guests trashed restrooms and destroyed pure sources at some parks, the query has as soon as once more been raised about whether or not parks ought to stay open throughout full authorities shutdowns.
And as we enter into one other authorities shutdown in October 2025, we have to discuss it once more!
How a authorities shutdown can have an effect on your journey plans
My journey to the Southwest and the Grand Canyon was deliberate earlier than the federal government shutdown went into impact, and canceling it wasn’t actually an choice.
That is true for most individuals with journeys deliberate throughout a shutdown. In lots of instances, you have already made plans and paid for issues — and most journey insurance coverage insurance policies do not acknowledge a authorities shutdown as a refundable purpose for journey cancelation.
The excellent news is that the majority important journey providers are nonetheless accessible throughout a partial or full shutdown. A lot of air visitors controllers, air marshals, and Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) officers are deemed important and are nonetheless anticipated to report back to work — although do not forget that they don’t seem to be being paid to be at work, so ensure you enable your self additional journey time and prolong a bit additional kindness to any federal workers you meet.
Should you’re touring from overseas, the US nonetheless retains its embassies and consulates open throughout shutdowns, and vacationers can nonetheless apply for and obtain entry visas.
The precise act of touring in the USA throughout a authorities shutdown is not severely impacted. However the locations you’ll be able to go to fairly often are.
What’s open and what’s closed in a authorities shutdown
From a vacationer perspective, you are most likely most involved with what’s open and what’s not in the course of the shutdown.
Throughout the 2019 shutdown (and sure any others which may occur sooner or later), federal buildings and monuments that may very well be locked up have been closed solely. This included locations just like the Smithsonian museums, the Nationwide Zoo, and a few federal monuments.
Mainly, if it is an attraction run by the federal authorities, likelihood is it will be closed throughout a shutdown.*
*Be aware: Within the 2025 shutdown, to date the Smithsonian Museums and Zoo in Washington DC stay open, and plan to be open a minimum of by means of October 6. I am going to replace this with any new information!
The exception right here was nationwide parks.
After backlash over parks being totally closed throughout a shutdown in 2013, the federal authorities stored them open(ish) in the course of the 2018-19 shutdown through the use of entry charges to maintain issues working. Sadly, this choice was later discovered to be unlawful after an investigation by the Authorities Accountability Workplace, main most individuals to consider that nationwide parks would shut their gates throughout any future shutdowns.
At the beginning of the 2025 shutdown, nevertheless, the Nationwide Park Service stated it deliberate to maintain parks “as accessible as doable” in the course of the shutdown. However that does not essentially imply they are going to be or keep totally “open.”
Are you able to go to nationwide parks throughout a authorities shutdown?
The brief reply is: sure, form of, for some time a minimum of.
Within the 2018-19 shutdown, roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials inside many of the United States’ nationwide parks have been nonetheless accessible throughout the federal government shutdown.
BUT the longer reply is that, whereas parks have been nonetheless accessible over the past shutdown, they weren’t essentially “open.”
Over the last shutdown at nationwide parks, most nationwide park rangers and workers have been furloughed. Customer facilities have been closed, entrance charges weren’t collected, academic packages have been all canceled, and campsites weren’t staffed. In some instances, restrooms have been closed and providers like trash assortment and street upkeep have been suspended (this included snow elimination; Arches Nationwide Park in Utah was fully closed as a result of snow in January 2019, for instance).
There have been additionally fewer emergency/rescue providers accessible, and the NPS did not replace its web site with info for any of its parks.
So, in brief, the parks have been “open” within the sense that you may nonetheless entry them, however all providers inside them have been closed, and in lots of instances you have been visiting at your individual threat.
2025 shutdown at nationwide parks
In September 2025, the Division of the Inside launched a “Contingency Plan for a Potential Lapse in Appropriations” for the Nationwide Park Service that particulars how the company will deal with a possible shutdown. (And sure, I learn this whole doc so you do not have to!)
Briefly, the 2025 shutdown appears like it should take a look at lot prefer it did in 2018-19.
A handful of NPS workers deemed important, or who perform duties associated to security are “exempted” from any shutdown furloughs. This consists of mainly a skeleton workers at NPS Headquarters and regional workplaces, and nevertheless many workers it takes at every park to make sure “the safety of life, property, and public well being and security.”
However in any other case, “the NPS is conducting no park operations and offering no customer providers” at particular person parks.
What to anticipate in 2025, based on the DOI:
- Park roads, trails, lookouts, and open-air memorials will “usually stay accessible to guests.”
- Buildings and parking tons that usually are locked in a single day will probably be locked/inaccessible in the course of the shutdown – this consists of customer facilities.
- Parks will present primary providers to take care of restrooms, trash assortment, street upkeep, campground operations, legislation enforcement and emergency operations, and entrance gate staffing to supply security info. (Although this appears to solely apply to parks which have additional accessible FLREA recreation charges; for parks that do not, a few of these providers might not be accessible.)
- Emergency operations in some parks could also be restricted.
- Park web sites and social media is not going to be up to date, apart from obligatory emergency communications.
- Parks is not going to present street or path situation updates. (And this issues in some parks the place October usually brings the primary snowfall of the 12 months.)
- At parks with out “accessible areas,” no customer providers will probably be supplied in any respect (no permits, no academic packages, no restroom entry or trash assortment, no street upkeep, and so forth.).
And the doc additionally states that parks might shut any areas thought of to be delicate (from a pure, cultural, or historic perspective) if there are fears of destruction/harm, or if the protection of the general public or wildlife is in danger. Mainly that means that if guests trash a park throughout a shutdown, it’d shut solely (as a result of sure, this occurred over the past shutdown).
Third social gathering assist
If nationwide parks have been to fully shut throughout a shutdown (as they did for the primary half of the 2013 shutdown), the Nationwide Park Basis estimated that 715,000 vacationers’ plans can be affected every day. That is loads of sad vacationers.
So, to assist fight this, many state governments and third events have stepped as much as fund providers at a few of the extra fashionable nationwide parks and monuments throughout previous shutdowns. That is allowed, based on the 2025 contingency plan; particular person parks can work with state, native, or tribal governments and/or third events to fund operations.
Locations the place third events funded providers in the course of the 2019 shutdown included:
- Grand Canyon Nationwide Park – The state of Arizona funded custodial providers to maintain restrooms open, proceed trash assortment, and carry out snow elimination on trails and sidewalks.
- Zion and Bryce Canyon nationwide parks – The state of Utah funded custodial providers and even staffed customer facilities for so long as it may.
- Yellowstone Nationwide Park – Yellowstone is not tremendous accessible in the course of the winter anyway, however non-public firms paid to maintain trails and roads groomed, and to wash park restrooms.
- Nationwide Mall – In Washington, DC, non-public concessions supplied restrooms at a number of spots alongside the Nationwide Mall, and trash assortment nonetheless occurred due to volunteers and non-government organizations.
- Statue of Liberty – New York state paid to maintain the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island open.
After I visited the Grand Canyon on January 1 and a couple of in 2019, there was particular proof of the shutdown. No entrance charges have been being collected on the gates, and the customer heart was locked.
However most different providers have been working easily. Restrooms have been being stored clear, snow elimination was taking place within the parking tons (I visited proper after a snowstorm blew by means of northern Arizona), park shuttles have been working, and all of the lodges and eating places in Grand Canyon Village have been open.
It’s because Arizona was paying for some providers to proceed, and others (just like the working of lodges and eating places) are taken care of by non-public concessions that do not depend on NPS workers/sources and subsequently aren’t affected by federal shutdowns.
Nevertheless, as any shutdown drags on, the cash supplied by state governments, non-profits, and different entities can solely go to date.
(We additionally haven’t any clue which state governments and third events may step in to assist preserve nationwide parks working in the course of the 2025 shutdown.)
How nationwide parks are damage by a shutdown
As I alluded to at the start of this publish, I went by means of a little bit of inside turmoil about visiting a nationwide park throughout the federal government shutdown.
Positive, it turned out that the Grand Canyon was being taken care of. However the identical is not all the time true at many different parks.
Most notably, Joshua Tree Nationwide Park closed its gates and campgrounds in 2019 due to sanitation points on the campgrounds and questions of safety (each for guests and the pure setting) within the park — individuals have been chopping down Joshua Bushes (!!!!).
At different parks, there have been stories of overflowing trash cans, human feces in locations human feces is not purported to be, and a basic disregard of the principles that often retains our nationwide parks pristine.
Some nationwide parks needed to dip into entrance price funds to attempt to clear issues up — funds that they often depend on for different issues all year long.
One of many massive issues I fretted over as I visited Grand Canyon Nationwide Park was not paying my entrance price. As automobile after automobile rolled by means of the open gates, I could not assist fascinated about how a lot cash the parks have been shedding in the course of the shutdown.
And, certainly, the Nationwide Parks Conservation Affiliation estimates that the NPS misplaced $400,000 per day from entrance price income over the past shutdown. PER DAY, individuals. That is not an insignificant amount of cash.
(If you wish to make sure the NPS can profit out of your entrance price, take into account buying an annual go to all US nationwide parks throughout a time when a shutdown is not taking place. These passes value $80 and are good at any Nationwide Park Service-managed website for one 12 months.)
Ought to you go to a nationwide park throughout a shutdown?
Individuals are likely to reap the benefits of free entry to many nationwide parks throughout authorities shutdowns, and lots of others (understandably) do not alter their journey plans to keep away from visiting them.
However ought to you be visiting nationwide parks throughout a shutdown?
There is no clear reply. Some individuals say no, just because many guests do not respect nationwide parks and monuments when there are not any park rangers round to encourage good habits and implement guidelines.
I personally would say that *if* they preserve the gates open, then it is okay to go to most nationwide parks throughout a shutdown — so long as you are dedicated to visiting responsibly. (In the event that they shut the gates, although, then no, you positively shouldn’t break in to go to.)
Tips on how to go to a park responsibly throughout a authorities shutdown
Should you do not need to cancel your journey to the Grand Canyon or Yosemite or Zion throughout a authorities shutdown AND these parks stay open, listed here are some suggestions for the way to go to nationwide parks responsibly:
- Perform any and all trash. Even when there are trash receptacles accessible, take into account finishing up something you usher in anyway. It is not that troublesome to stuff an additional reusable bag into your day pack so you’ll be able to perform every part you usher in. (And please word that this consists of meals waste like orange and banana peels, too — these do not belong within the woods and do not break down as rapidly as you most likely assume.)
- Should you deliberate to camp, take into account various lodging choices if doable. If not, please, please, please clear up after your self (and pack your individual rest room paper), and solely camp in designated areas that stay open/accessible.
- Respect indicators and keep on the path. Simply because there aren’t park rangers round does not offer you free reign to go wherever you please. Many nationwide parks and monuments exist to guard fragile ecosystems and pure wonders that can’t be changed. Should you see an indication asking you to remain on designated trails, please respect them — and this goes for maintaining canine on leashes, too!
- Comply with Depart No Hint ideas. That are mainly: be ready, clear up after your self, and do not be an asshole.
- Take into account donating to the parks. For the reason that Nationwide Park Service does not accumulate park charges throughout a shutdown, take into account making a donation by yourself to the Nationwide Park Basis, particularly in the event you go to a nationwide park that might usually cost a price.
- Take into account options to nationwide parks. Lastly, when you have some flexibility in your plans, take into account visiting state parks which can be near nationwide parks as a substitute. They’re usually simply as stunning, however will not be affected by the federal government shutdown.
And, for goodness’ sake, if a park or monument is closed throughout a shutdown, DON’T break in. It’s not your proper to go to a spot that’s closed or off-limits.
Nationwide park options
There are a whole bunch of nationwide parks and monuments all throughout the USA — however there are a whole bunch MORE state parks.
Many state parks are positioned adjoining or very near nationwide parks, that means you’ll be able to nonetheless contribute to the native financial system whereas avoiding including to the pressure most nationwide parks face throughout a shutdown. (As a result of no, you visiting a nationwide park throughout a shutdown when the NPS is actively shedding cash isn’t “serving to” in any method.)
Some state parks you’ll be able to go to close to fashionable nationwide parks embrace:
- Snow Canyon State Park as a substitute of Zion Nationwide Park in Utah
- Goblin Valley State Park as a substitute of Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park in Utah
- Lifeless Horse Level State Park as a substitute of Canyonlands Nationwide Park in Utah
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park as a substitute of Arches Nationwide Park in Utah
- Mount Mitchell State Park as a substitute of Nice Smoky Mountain Nationwide Park in North Carolina
- Lamoine State Park as a substitute of Acadia Nationwide Park in Maine
- Bogachiel State Park as a substitute of Olympic Nationwide Park in Washington
- Calaveras Massive Bushes State Park (for sequoias) as a substitute of Yosemite Nationwide Park in California
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park as a substitute of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park in California
- Valley of Hearth State Park in Nevada as a substitute of Demise Valley Nationwide Park in California
- Golden Gate Canyon State Park as a substitute of Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park in Colorado
- Massive Bend Ranch State Park as a substitute of Massive Bend Nationwide Park in Texas
- Custer State Park as a substitute of Badlands Nationwide Park in South Dakota
- Fakahatchee Strand State Protect as a substitute of Everglades Nationwide Park in Florida
And as a substitute of the Grand Canyon, you may go to Valley of Hearth State Park in Nevada, or Crimson Rock State Park in Arizona, each of that are solely a pair hours away.
So, to sum up every part on this publish: Nationwide parks should technically be open throughout a authorities shutdown, however many providers will not be accessible, and you will be taking your security into your individual palms in the event you select to go to.
You should still be capable to go to nationwide parks throughout a shutdown, however I like to recommend visiting fastidiously (and responsibly!), or, higher but, visiting state parks as a substitute in the event you can.
Need to learn extra about nationwide parks?
Listed below are some posts on a few of my favourite nationwide parks and monuments for additional studying:
Have you ever visited a nationwide park throughout the federal government shutdown? Do you might have another questions on visiting?
Pin it for later:
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her residence base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by means of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!