Nat'l Parks Shutdown
 

With a possible Gov't shutdown looming April 8th the Parks may be affected.
Lucky me has reservation at G.C and Zion (7th-11th) Trying to plan for worse.
Any alternative ideas after 2 days in Vegas? Are AZ and UT worthwhile ( bad choice of words, I'm sure they are) to visit without the ease or accessibility of the parks?
Other than D. Valley can I make a trip of it going West instead?
Like I said, trying to cover all my bases before left scrammbling with Congress' folly.
Hoping for the best but seeing signs at work (some Fed cancellations) that preparations are being made.

Do you have to return to Las Vegas after the four days?

Death Valley is a national park, too.

I wonder if we can rely on The Tea Party to resolve the problem?

I doubt that the contractors (not federal employees) will go on strike at campgrounds or lodges.
The Valley of Fire is a State Park and should not be closed.
You could rent a boat on Lake Mead from the Marina.
You can walk across Hoover Dam 24/7 even if the tours are not running.
You should have free access to the Parks that have gates to collect fees or check your $80 annual Pass.
Visit Goblin Valley State Park in Utah.

sounds like free admission and no speed limits to me!

In the past "government shutdown" at the GC has meant no one manning the entrance stations (so free entry), no guided Ranger programs, in-park campgrounds are closed and the visitor centers were shut.

But the concessionaires (hotels and dining and non-Ranger tours) are private contractors and driven by the profit motive, so they are still open for business. I assume it's the same in Utah.

So don't fret until you hear the gates are locked, which I doubt would happen.

"<i>I doubt that the contractors (not federal employees) will go on strike at campgrounds or lodges. </i>"

We aren't talking about strikes. A potential Gov't shut down is because of lack of funding authority, not labor action . . .

chs29445: There most likely won't be a shut down -- all indications are there is significant progress being made in the negotiations. But even if there is a shut down, it won't much affect most SW Nat'l Parks. The rangers might be missing -- but the hotel/restaurant staff would be on duty.

Jean- yes, week long trip ending back in Vegas.
happytrails- no politisizing on my board :)
ziggy- never thought of it that way. changes the rental car options.
The Parks concessionaire ,Xanterra, has stated that a shutdown will affect them and refunds will be given. As for the parks themselves you've answered that for me.
Curious if they indeed operate differently. I work with a Homeland Security contractor and today found out(due to some preemptive program cancellations next week) that my vacation may be "extended" when I get back.
Thanks for the help. I'm an obsessive preparer so every detail must be right. Loosen up eh? :)

Valley of Fire State Park, NV and Snow Canyon State Park just a few miles outside of St. George, Utah are both scenic areas. Monument Valley is a little out of the way but it's a Tribal Park so it should be open.

Utahtea

I wanted to add that from I've read the National Parks were closed during 21 days in Dec. 1995 - Jan 1996 when went thought this. They mentioned Grand Canyon by name and mentioned barricades at Rocky Mountain National Park....so I think Closed means CLOSED to visitors. I doubt they are going to let people in without ranger supervision.

Utahtea

Rattle the sabres some more, OP

<b>I wanted to add that from I've read the National Parks were closed during 21 days in Dec. 1995 - Jan 1996 when went thought this. They mentioned Grand Canyon by name and mentioned barricades at Rocky Mountain National Park....so I think Closed means CLOSED to visitors. I doubt they are going to let people in without ranger supervision</b>

Utahtea, I was living in Arizona at the time and I remember it differently. The Feds threatened to shut Grand Canyon totally and not let anyone in and the Governor fought back, offering to take over running the park if necessary.

They reached a compromise. Here's a description of what was allowed (from one of the first sites called up by a search on "GC closure 1995" if you want to read more), pretty much as I said in my first post:

<b><i>"Most of the visitor facilities between Mather Point and Hermit's Rest on the South Rim were kept open, as were lodges, restaurants, shops and bus tours. Areas that remained closed were "East Rim Drive overlooks, Desert View, Tusayan Museum, trails below the canyon rim, Phantom Ranch, the Colorado River, the North Rim, and Lees Ferry." As a result of those closures, no day or overnight-hiking below the South Rim was allowed, nor were there any river trips or mule trips allowed.

Arizona officials, through donations and state funds, raised nearly $550,000 to keep the park open for 31 days, from December 18, 1995, through January 18, 1996. On January 19, 1996, park officials announced that Congress had ended the impasse and that enough money was appropriated to keep the National Park System operating through the end of September, 1996.</i></b>

There is of course no guarantee what would happen in the future but typically the gov't picks something eye-catching like this to try to dramatize their point ('no garbage pickup unless taxes are raised' or 'we'll have to layoff all air traffic controllers' etc) and then backs off before doing the worst case scenario.

Just let me add a grumble. How many Fodors folks and others are concerned like me about survival of National Parks let alone a temporary shut down? Do we have to privatize everything including all things bright and beautiful? Already happening to state parks

Bill in Boston

Many National Parks have no entrance fee. Capitol Reef and Canyonlands are 2. http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm
The visitor center may be closed and there may be no Park police, but they will be open to drive at least.
I should have known by now if I had a summer lookout job with the Forest Service. If the bosses don't know if they have any money, you may see some very large forest fires being fought by prison crews or the US Armed Forces.

Bill H, thanks for setting the record straight on the Grand Canyon being closed.

tomfuller, The drive on Hwy 24 though Capitol Reef has no fee, but if you drive the scenic highway beyond the Fruita campgrounds in the park there is a fee. http://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisi...servations.htm Canyonlands also charges a fee. http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisi...servations.htm

Utahtea

I was in Canyonlands 2 years ago and there was no fee (I have a lifetime pass).

I asked about it and was told the reason is that the main highway goes right thru the middle of the park and it would be too costly to set up.

Also, several of the hiking trails are directly off the main highway. They would have to station collectors at the parking lot of each trail.

Lastly, some parks just don't have to number of visitors that others have. If people had to pay to enter, they would move on to the more popular parks.

utahtea, I read the link you provided.

I wonder if that's relatively new or if it's posted but not enforced due to the complexity and expense.

Or maybe they now enforce it.

South of the visitor center at Capitol Reef they have a self service-honor system box to fill out your own pass if you don't have an annual or daily Pass. Your receipt from another National Park is valid for a week. Lets hope no one has an auto accident in a NP when the shutdown happens.
I drove through the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands and did not see any government employees other than at the Visitor Center. No fee was collected there.

I'm from Down Under, and don't know what's going on in USA parks, except for this thread. We are planning next month, to visit lots of national parks, including Lassen, Lava Beds, Crater Lake, Yellowstone, Bryce, Zion, and Joshua Tree. Am I likely to be affected?

Joshua Tree you should be able to enter from the Palm Springs end. I don't believe there is a gate there.

Death Valley doesn't have gates.