• Yosemite National Park remains open despite the ongoing government shutdown. • Though most national parks are open, they're operating with limited staff and services. • I visited Yosemite at the start of the shutdown and found most things felt pretty normal.

When I visited Yosemite National Park shortly after the government shutdown, I expected it to be deserted. I wasn't expecting it to be quite packed — and free.

My trip to the area with friends was about a week after the government shut down on October 1.

We were worried our plans of hiking and exploring Yosemite's many scenic points would fall through, as we'd read that the shutdown would impact national parks nationwide.

While the military and federal law enforcement are being paid, employees at most other agencies — includi

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