Utah’s government will pay for three of the state’s five national parks to remain open with basic visitor services during the federal government shutdown, caused by a budget dispute between President Donald Trump and Congress over funding for a border wall.
Utah Office of Tourism Managing Director Vicki Varela told FOX 13 that she arranged for funding Zion, Arches and Bryce Canyon National Parks during an emergency call with National Parks Service superintendents on Thursday.
As part of the Department of Interior shutdown contingency plans, all national parks and monuments would be open to visitors while the government stalls, but it wouldn’t provide visitor services, like bathrooms, trash collection and road and facility maintenance.