NPS sites remaining open as government shuts down

The Big Story

NPS sites remaining open as government shuts down

National parks will largely remain open even as the federal government shuts down, according to a plan made public Tuesday evening.

© AP

Park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible to visitors,” says a shutdown contingency plan for the National Park Service (NPS).

At the same time, the park service plans to furlough most of its staff. Of about 14,500 employees, 9,296 will not be working.

The plan also states that parks that collect fees under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and will use those fees to provide “basic visitor services.”

This includes maintaining restrooms, collecting trash, maintaining roads and campgrounds, law enforcement, and emergency operations.