Government Shutdown Impact on Travelers

[AZBuck]

The state of Arizona has sent a check to Washington to fund re-opening of Grand Canyon National Park. The park is scheduled to re-open Saturday morning, October 12th. The funding will cover the operation of the park for one week. Unfortunately, NO other national parks or monuments in the state are covered, leaving Petrified Forest, Saguaro, and others still closed.

AZBuck

[Southwest Dave]

A list of places opened up by State funding and dates from the nps site.

As a result of donations from states to the National Park Service, the following national parks are temporarily re-opened.

•Arches National Park (Utah, open October 11-20)
•Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah, open October 11-20)
•Canyonlands National Park (Utah, open October 11-20)
•Capitol Reef National Park (Utah, open October 11-20)
•Cedar Breaks National Monument (Utah, open October 11-20)
•Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Utah, open October 11-20)
•Natural Bridges National Monument (Utah, open October 11-20)
•Zion National Park (Utah, open October 11-20)
•Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado, open October 11-20)
•Statue of Liberty National Monument (New York, open October 12-17)
•Mount Rushmore National Memorial (South Dakota, open October 14-23)
•Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona, open October 12-18)

At least some of the parks web pages are operational, I checked Bryce and Zion nps pages and both are up and running.

[tiz57]

A list of places opened up by State funding and dates from the nps site.



At least some of the parks web pages are operational, I checked Bryce and Zion nps pages and both are up and running.

I see that some of your national parks are going to start re opening soon but does anybody know if the skyline drive will be open by the 23 rd of this month?

[AZBuck]

The nominal 'drop dead' date for solving the current budget and debt crises is October 17th (this Thursday). If the congressional impasse goes on beyond that date, there will be severe consequences to the American and world economies that will make the current inconvenience of a few parks and websites being out of service look laughable. I would expect the 'problem' to be solved shortly (meaning hours or minutes) before that date, but nothing I have seen so far fills me with much certitude of that expectation.

AZBuck

[tiz57]

I know ,if it's not sorted we are ALL in big DO DO

[rennie284]

We are leaving Oz on Sunday for our month holdiay in the US. We may have to change some of our itinerary to accommodate the shut down of parks etc and my biggest disappointment will be if we cannot get to The Grand Canyon, accom booked there for mid November so hoping against hope that things are resolved by then. But tiz57 I agree with you if its not sorted I really feel for the US Citizens. The govt just does not seem to have the best interest of the citizens in mind and are ego driven parties that they just dont want to be the first to break the stalemate. Forgive me if I seem to have this wrong I just feel really bad for the people of US, our holiday will still go on and we can accommodate and change our itinerary no problemo but its all the businesses that will suffer from not being open to host the tourists needs. Trying to be positive though and we will make the most of it. Still super excited to come to your wonderful country and experience the lifestyle and look foward to meeting so many new people.

[Southwest Dave]

News is coming through that the shutdown has come to an end !

News story here.

Good news !

[AZBuck]

The Senate has reached an agreement, but there is - as yet - no telling what the House of Representatives will do. The current problems started in the House and they have yet to pass any legislation which any other part of the government can agree to. Stay tuned.

AZBuck

[glc]

You may be jumping the gun. It's not over till both the Senate and house actually VOTE and pass it, and the President signs it. None of those are a given at this time.

This forum is not a political platform, but that Guardian article is loaded with bias.

[Southwest Dave]

Yep I got a little over excited ! Fingers crossed though, it sounds promising.