Shutdown Won’t Close Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive

According to Shenandoah National Park (SNP) officials, “it appears the park will remain partially open while the standoff in Congress continues,” as reported by the Northern Virginia Daily.

Since the last shutdown four years ago, changes call for national parks to remain as accessible as possible, thank goodness, although this time is not as inconvenient as the October 2013 shutdown at the peak of autumn leaf season. With venues closed and gates locked, many tourists and their vacations were ruined that year.

In the middle of winter, most of SNP’s venues are closed for the season. However, many continue to enjoy vistas along Skyline Drive and hiking the multiple trails. With no worries about the shutdown, the only thing to be concerned about is weather driving and hiking conditions.

Park rangers will be on duty so not to worry about being all alone in case of emergency.

Good news: no admission fees will be collected at entrance stations.

Bad news: flush toilets will be locked.

Good news: Vault toilets will be available (if you consider using a vault toilet as good news but it’s better than nothing).

Tip to help: Pack out your trash since trash cans/dumpsters will not be emptied.

There’s a special magic in the park during winter and, thankfully, it will not be interrupted by this latest temper tantrum in D.C.

Update from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy:

During the government shutdown, the AppalachianTrail (A.T.) will remain accessible to the public across the approximately 700 miles managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and over 800 miles managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). A.T. visitors will be able to access and hike on the Trail itself, but no visitor services, maintenance or other management activities will be conducted, and emergency and rescue services will be limited. Any entry onto NPS and USFS property government shutdown is at the visitor’s sole risk.

All NPS and USFS volunteer programs are also suspended. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will not be able to engage with volunteers in activities on the Trail, Trail facilities or Trail lands.

Our national parks are treasured by Americans nationwide. They not only protect our national heritage, but they are important to local economies and the federal government has a responsibility to keep them both open and adequately funded. We urge Congress and the federal government to work together in the best interests of the country and to re-open the Trail promptly.

To view our answers to frequently asked questions about the shutdown’s effects on the A.T., click here: bit.ly/ATshutdownFAQ

Related posts:

While You Were Sleeping, the Federal Government Shut Down
Cox Expresses Disappointment in Federal Shutdown

Cover photo: Rose River Falls

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