During the 16-day government shutdown four years ago, parks were closed, facilities shuttered and monuments on the National Mall fenced off, moves the Obama administration said were necessary when Congress failed to pass a new budget. The public outrage over the parks and monument closures dominated much of the discussion during the shutdown.
In a recent memo to park officials and other public land managers, Interior outlined ways to keep public areas open if possible, though services that require staffing, like campgrounds and concessions, would close.
“We fully expect the government to remain open, however in the event of a shutdown, national parks and other public lands will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures,” Interior spokeswoman Heather Swift said in a statement.