National Parks closed - so what happens now?
Oct 2nd, 2013, 07:47 PM
#21
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We were camping in Capitol Reef National Park in Utah the last three nights but had wanted to stay at least until Oct 9 or maybe even Oct 13th when we have reservations in Zion National Park. Since Sept. 30th the campground had signs warning us to only pay for one night at a time because of possible shut downs.
The park closed on Oct. 1st and we campers were given 48 hours notice that we would have to leave today (Oct. 2, 2013) by noon. The park visitor center was closed and all the hikes were closed on Oct 1. There were blockades on the scenic highway into the park but the main Hwy 24 was open. All the hikes had signs saying they were closed. There were rangers on duty patrolling and were making sure we left by noon today. We left at 11:58.
The last time they almost had a closure back in April 2011 we had camping reservations for Zion. We got an automated call before saying we could cancel and not pay the cancellation fee. We cancelled because the day of closure was suppose to be our first day there and we would have to travel two days to get there. When the closure didn't happen we just rescheduled a week later.
You can read more here: http://www.doi.gov/shutdown/fy2014/upload/NPS-FAQ.pdf
Utahtea
The park closed on Oct. 1st and we campers were given 48 hours notice that we would have to leave today (Oct. 2, 2013) by noon. The park visitor center was closed and all the hikes were closed on Oct 1. There were blockades on the scenic highway into the park but the main Hwy 24 was open. All the hikes had signs saying they were closed. There were rangers on duty patrolling and were making sure we left by noon today. We left at 11:58.
The last time they almost had a closure back in April 2011 we had camping reservations for Zion. We got an automated call before saying we could cancel and not pay the cancellation fee. We cancelled because the day of closure was suppose to be our first day there and we would have to travel two days to get there. When the closure didn't happen we just rescheduled a week later.
You can read more here: http://www.doi.gov/shutdown/fy2014/upload/NPS-FAQ.pdf
Utahtea
Oct 3rd, 2013, 04:09 AM
#22
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So I really don't get this. I understand closing certain sites that really do require staff, but what I'm talking about is a hike. It's an open plot of land; you carry what you need, and you walk from point A to point B. Why do I need someone looking after me during this process - or is there a fear that I'm going to start fires or shoot people or something?
Seems like people would've been trusted to look after themselves a hundred years ago or so. Maybe as late as the 50's.
There's a public beach near my house that's technically a "national park." They already kick people out after dark (for what reason I have no earthly idea), so I imagine the cops will be stopping by to make sure nobody uses the beach now? I mean, there are no threats or ways to be a threat out there - it's simply an open beach; you park and walk out to it - but I can see it happening, sadly.
Expecting to not be run off a piece of public land seems as logical as - well, as logical as expecting the government to run within its means and not rack up 17 trillion dollars' worth of debt. But we all know how that turned out.
What is wrong with these people?
And can someone please explain to me why a lack of money to maintain and staff the wilderness means I shouldn't be allowed to walk there?
Seems like people would've been trusted to look after themselves a hundred years ago or so. Maybe as late as the 50's.
There's a public beach near my house that's technically a "national park." They already kick people out after dark (for what reason I have no earthly idea), so I imagine the cops will be stopping by to make sure nobody uses the beach now? I mean, there are no threats or ways to be a threat out there - it's simply an open beach; you park and walk out to it - but I can see it happening, sadly.
Expecting to not be run off a piece of public land seems as logical as - well, as logical as expecting the government to run within its means and not rack up 17 trillion dollars' worth of debt. But we all know how that turned out.
What is wrong with these people?
And can someone please explain to me why a lack of money to maintain and staff the wilderness means I shouldn't be allowed to walk there?
Oct 3rd, 2013, 05:50 AM
#23
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It's pretty simple. If they let you in, they have to allow anyone and everyone. And then they have to patrol and staff to prevent people from doing stupid things, and in case if emergency. With the parks closed they can cut way back on patrols to the bare essential.
Unfortunately there's no way to let people in and not patrol, so they have to officially close everything and not let people in to hike.
Unfortunately there's no way to let people in and not patrol, so they have to officially close everything and not let people in to hike.
