Guidance suggests some areas will remain accessible amid warnings that leaving parks open and unstaffed could cause lasting damage
On Tuesday evening, in the final hours before a now imminent US government shutdown, the National Park Service (NPS) began preparations to close down parts of popular public lands across the country – but trails and other open-access areas will remain open.
The guidance for park leaders in the event of a federal shutdown had been uncertain as the impasse loomed, raising fears that the parks could be forced to stay open without anyone to staff them.