Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will remain open during the partial government shutdown, according to park service officials.
The federal government has partially shut down after Congress failed to reach a deal to extend funding past Sept. 30, and that’s impacting some national park operations.
In general, national parks are expected to remain open, including Sequoia and Kings Canyon, but visitors services will vary widely.
“The National Park Service will continue to keep parks as accessible as possible during the lapse in appropriations,” park service officials stated in an email to Times-Delta.
What can the public expect?
Critical functions that protect “life, property, and public health” will remain in place, which includes visitor access in many locations, law enforcement and emergency response, according to park officials.
Additionally, park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible to visitors.
Some park employees will be furloughed during the duration of the shutdown, according to the National Park Service contingency plan.
On Wednesday, park officials stated that the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook account will continue to share “critical information” about park access, safety and resources during the shutdown.
For information about what is open, visit doi.gov/shutdown.
What happened to Sequoia and Kings Canyon in previous shutdowns?
During the partial government shutdown in 2019, Sequoia National Park eventually implemented the closure of Generals Highway at Hospital Rock. The closure extended through Giant Forest and Lodgepole, through to Lost Grove. Concession facilities at these locations, including Wuksachi Lodge, were also closed.
In January 2018, Sequoia and Kings Canyon were unable to staff properties but couldn’t close parks. Without some rangers, visitors were encouraged to “use extreme caution” when visiting parks.
Roads in the national parks were closed because snow wasn’t cleared, but the parks were open.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will remain open during government shutdown
Reporting by Sheyanne N Romero, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
