States Step in to Keep National Parks Running During Shutdown
Photo Credit: A group hiking Bryce and Zion National Park trip in Utah. Adventures in Good Company
Skift Take
While national parks’ roads, lookout, trails and memorials “generally remain accessible” during the government shutdown, some sites have turned to alternative funding to keep operations running.
With federal funds largely on hold during the government shutdown, a number of national parks have tapped alternative sources of funding to keep sites open.
The National Park Service’s contingency plan notes that parks can accept donations from state, local or tribal governments, and other third parties to continue operations. Parks that collect fees under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act can also use the money to staff restroom sanitation and other operations.
At locations without additional funding, park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials will “generally remain accessible,” according to the contingency plan, although services may be limited or unavailable with nearly 9,300 agency employees expected to be furloughed.
Here’s how some parks are addressing the shutdown.
Colorado parksColorado will use the fees collected at its national park properties to keep sites open during the busy fall tourism
