Annie Knox

(Utah News Dispatch) Staring up at towering red rocks, Julie Maager and Kate Mueller felt fortunate on Friday.

Just a few weeks ago, the two friends from Wisconsin weren’t sure they’d get to see Arches National Park during the federal government shutdown, let alone arrive to find the bathrooms clean and the visitor center open.

“As a visitor, I’m just delighted,” said Maager, 53.

“Go Utah!” said Mueller, 65.

The state is pumping $8,000 a day into keeping its five national parks running at a limited capacity, joining nonprofits in financially supporting the parks.

While visitors may not notice a significant impact in the short term, others say the shutdown is holding parks and their staff back from meeting their mission to preserve the land and serve the public.

At the

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