Government Shutdown Impact on Travelers

[Charlie H]

Another fun place to visit in the Black Hills area is Wall Drug in Wall, SD. It's right at the west entrance to Badlands Nat'l Monument and hopefully the shutdown will be over by the time you arrive.

[Mark Sedenquist]

For those who had planned to visit the Grand Canyon -- just a couple of reminders....

All of the Arizona State Parks are open. Two popular ones -- Slide Rock State Park and Red Rock State Park. Oak Creek Canyon scenic drive near Sedona is open.

If you look at our RTA Attractions list, for Arizona, there are several more places to consider adding to your trip....

Mark

[Utahtea]

We got caught up in the National Park shutdown while on a road trip in our motor-home in Utah.

We had hoped to relax in Capitol Reef National Park in Utah for 10 days to two weeks. We arrived on Sun. Sept. 29th and on Monday, Sept. 30th we were able to move over to our FAVORITE campsite. The park closed on Tuesday, Oct. 1st but they gave the campers 48 hours noticed and we had to be out of the park by Noon on Wednesday, Oct. 2nd.

Tuesday the hikes, scenic drive and visitor center were closed. It was NICE and QUITE in the park! We're in a private campground in Torrey, Utah till Monday hoping the government will get their act together so we can go back into Capitol Reef. If not we'll move to Springdale, Utah. We have reservations at Watchman campground in Zion on Oct. 13th. If it's still closed we will go home a week early.

Utahtea

[Southwest Dave]

Hi UtahT, Nice to hear you are back on the road and to see you here. I hope things turn out in your favour, although it's a lovely part of the country to be in, with natural wonders all around that aren't NP's and just waiting to be explored.

Good luck and fingers crossed !

Dave.

[tiz57]

Hi UtahT, Nice to hear you are back on the road and to see you here. I hope things turn out in your favour, although it's a lovely part of the country to be in, with natural wonders all around that aren't NP's and just waiting to be explored.

Good luck and fingers crossed !

Dave.

We are coming over on the 19th October for a month and we're planning on driving the blue ridge mountains Shenandoah national park.then to Knoxville,Nashville,Memphis and then down into Florida.
If this situation still exists what can we do instead of the national parks
Any advice greatly appreciated

[glc]

The Skyline Drive is closed, because it's wholly contained within the national park. However, the Blue Ridge Parkway is open. There just aren't any services open directly along it, you have to get off on a crossroad and head into town if you need anything.

[tiz57]

The Skyline Drive is closed, because it's wholly contained within the national park. However, the Blue Ridge Parkway is open. There just aren't any services open directly along it, you have to get off on a crossroad and head into town if you need anything.

Thanks for that info glc

[Charlie H]

Although, Smokey Mountian Nat'l Park will be closed, I believe I read US 441 through the Park is open. Even though the side roads such as the Clingman's Dome and Cade's Cove roads would be closed, the drive over the mountains on US 441 would still be worth the while. When you get to the west side of the Smokies, you could find plenty to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Once you leave Memphis, you might consider hitting Vicksburg and/or Natchez, Mississippi before heading across the panhandle to Florida. Both are interesting old river towns. The Nat'l Battlefield in Vicksburg will be closed but it is still an interesting town and there are a couple of antebellum mansions which will be open. Natchez has a number of noteworthy antebellum mansions. Of the two, I would choose Natchez if I were going to do only one. In Mobile, you could visit Battleship Park and tour the Battleship Alabama. If you've never been on a battleship, they are amazing.

[Utahtea]

Hi UtahT, Nice to hear you are back on the road and to see you here. I hope things turn out in your favour, although it's a lovely part of the country to be in, with natural wonders all around that aren't NP's and just waiting to be explored.

Good luck and fingers crossed !

Dave.

Thanks Dave. Even if the national parks remain closed there is plenty to do and it sure beats sitting at home! ;)

Utahtea

[Utahtea]

Update: Looks like the federal government is going to allow states to pay to open their national parks! The news report is here.



Utah's National Parks could be open as early as Saturday which is GREAT news for me!

Utahtea