The federal government shutdown kicked in at midnight on October 1, leaving Americans wondering about their weekend getaways. But for the nation's cherished national parks—from Acadia in Maine to the vast expanses of Yellowstone— the doors aren't slamming shut. Officials with the National Park Service announced that most parks will remain accessible, relying on entrance fees to fund a bare-bones staff. It's a pragmatic move, yet one that echoes the 2018-2019 shutdown's mess, when trash piled up and wildlife suffered from unchecked visitors.
Take Yosemite, where granite cliffs draw crowds year-round. Trails and viewpoints will stay open, but expect visitor centers locked and ranger talks canceled. Similarly, the Grand Canyon's rim roads remain drivable, though shuttle services halt and interpretive programs vanish. Zion's slot canyons and Yosemite's waterfalls? Still there for hikers willing to brave the quiet. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado faces the same: gates ajar, but no guided tours or facility maintenance beyond the essentials.
However, not everything's seamless. Shenandoah's Skyline Drive might see limited patrols, raising safety concerns on those winding roads. Acadia, with its rocky shores, will keep Cadillac Mountain accessible, but campgrounds could close without full staffing. Yellowstone and Grand Teton, already bracing for winter, will operate hotels and roads partially, per a directive from the Interior Department. Indeed, the Park Service is furloughing about two-thirds of its 12,000 employees nationwide, stretching the remaining skeleton crew thin across 63 parks.
This setup avoids total closures, a relief for the 325 million annual visitors who fuel local economies. Yet critics point out the strain: deferred repairs could worsen erosion in places like Zion's riverbeds, and unchecked access might harm fragile ecosystems. Moreover, states like Utah are stepping in for their "Mighty Five," including Zion, with temporary funding to keep things running smoother.
In the end, the shutdown tests the resilience of these public treasures—what does it mean for their future if political gridlock becomes the norm?
