Hiking During a Government Shutdown

You have a trip planned to one of our National Parks. You’ve been anticipating this trip for months. You can’t contain the excitement. But then, the nightly news informs you that all non-essential government employees are on furlough until further notice. So, how do you go hiking during a government shutdown? Well, with the current administration, for once, you’re actually in luck!

The Trump administration has deemed that during a government shutdown, federally regulated lands should still be made available to the public. National Parks like the Liberty Bell and Ellis Island are closed completely as they need employees on site in order for tourists to enjoy them and keep historic artifacts safe. But, our public lands are still open for use. But, before you go out into designated wilderness, there are some things you should be aware of.

First, remember that if you head out for a hike in a National Park or on BLM land during a government shutdown, that there won’t be any Rangers to come help if you get into a pinch. Backcountry permits won’t be checked, so make sure you have all of your 10 essentials and know how to use them. A map and compass are great, but knowing how to navigate with them is crucial.

Public lands are not maintained during a government shutdown. Practicing the Leave No Trace principals during this time is mandatory. There are no employees to pic up your trash or cleanup your campsite. If you decide to visit, you’ll need to pack out everything as janitorial services are suspended and there will be no one on site to dump the Park’s trash cans either.

Bring toilet paper. During a shutdown, nothing is maintained. This includes the bathrooms at campsites and trailheads. After three or four days of use in a vault toilet, you’re better off finding a bush to hide behind. Haha. Campsites are a bit trickier. The official statement from the Parks is that all campsites are closed during a shutdown. However, I was at Death Valley National Park at the Furnace Creek Campground during the most recent shutdown, and there was no one there to keep people out of the campground. So you can take the risk if you had a reservation. But again, the official word is that the campgrounds are closed during a shutdown.

Roads and websites are also not maintained. You are literally entering the lands at your own risk. Parks with snow won’t be plowed and sidewalks won’t be salted. Visitor Centers with additional safety information will not be opened. And, it goes without saying, but all those cool talk backs in the Park? Well, they’re all canceled.

For now, the government is back in session. But don’t hold your breathe. The President signed a bill extending funding only until February 8th. At which time, if our elected officials can’t come to an agreement about the damn wall and the Dreamers program, we’ll be looking at another shutdown.

Here’s hoping it doesn’t. But, if the government does shutdown again, don’t fret. You can still go hiking in our National Parks. Just be mindful that without the “non essential” employees to help run the lands, you truly are in designated wilderness.