Well, here is my chance to hike halfdome without the permit. lol.

You can still visit the Grand Canyon even during a government shutdown, albeit not the most popular parts. The West Rim is actually controlled by Native American tribes (the Havasupai, I believe), and they do have some limited options for overnight stays and activities down in the canyon. They could be booked up by now, but it might be worth investigating. Their lodge is pretty basic, though. You could also visit Monument Valley in southeastern Utah; it's not a national park. And I think people also mentioned above several state parks that might be worthwhile.

spirobulldog, The cables for Half Dome won't be up, but I'll watch for you on the local news!

Utahtea

We were kicked out of Yosemite when it closed down in October of 1994 (?). We were camping. The lodge stayed open for those still there because it is run by a concessionaire. However, I believe that no new guests could come in because the road is controlled by the Park Service.

News of your governmental kaffuffles has now reached Down Under, and I understand more of what's going on over there! Tourists like me may or may not be affected, but oh, your poor country!! We are looking on in amazement.

May there be some sanity soon! Good Luck All!

Spiro and chs, when one road is closed, another..... etc. I'm hoping to see lots of snow somewhere. Will keep checking till we leave.

What a great way to stimulate the economy...trash the tourist trade. Sure, toss stimulus money to corrupt bankers and spend ourselves into the poorhouse with insane military actions but heaven forbid our government do anything logical.

We just got an automated call from Recreational.gov letting us know that we could be kicked out of some National Park campgrounds on Sunday, April 10th and that if we decided to cancel we could do so without a cancellation fee.

We decided to cancel because we would be getting there on April 10 and just don't feel like packing and driving all that way just to have to come home. We'll just pick some other dates after the dust settles. Good luck to others who have reservations.

Utahtea

Here is what Xantera website says

http://www.xanterra.com/nps-advisory-8345.html

Peterboy - could not agree with you more! Off with their heads (and I have a relative-by-mariage who is a very well known senior Senator).

Carrabella, I live in UT and we are having a very big snow year. Northern Ut is (as of this weekend) over 1785 of normal and southern UT is even more than that. Go skiing!

Alta, Snowbird, Solutiude, Brighton, Park City, Canyons, others will still be open.

Oops, make that 178% of normal.....

Oops, make that 178% of normal.....

Don't worry-be happy. Senate just passed a one week CR. Now if they can round up the House Members in the next 20 minutes to get a vote. Time to break up the tea party and vote!

I'm really looking forward to seeing some of that snow, Dayle. Of course, we'll bring some brilliant spring sunshine with us. I haven't skied in nearly fifty years, but am sure I can slip and slide and have fun anyway.

Thank goodness, the House has found some Common Sense! I'm happy!