Federal Park Camping and Looming Government Shutdown

[melhow]

The family (10 of us with four sites total) and I have our annual 12-day trip planned for Elkmont in the Smokies beginning October 2. I am sweating the very real possibility of a government shutdown effective Oct. 1.

From what I've read, the park would close all access except for pass-thru driving allowed on 441 between Tennessee and North Carolina, no stopping allowed.

I'm trying to come up with a good plan-B, but I'm hesitant to reserve other sites, mainly because I am unfamiliar with RV'ing in parks in the area outside of the Smokies. I also don't want to drop a bunch more cash on second reservations just to be hit with a cancellation fee if nothing happens with the shutdown.

What's your thoughts on the issue (the effect of the shutdown and alternate plan-making, NOT the politics behind what caused the shutdown)? Anyone else's plans going to be affected?

*Edited to hopefully not start a politics thread

[n7bsn]

amandasgramma wrote:
If you're talking about in Arizona.....yeah, we will. They have 1.2 million acres and 55 employees working. I'll be glad to pay when they come around to collect or open their offices. 🙂 🙂

You are a baddd.... woman 😉

[amandasgramma]

doxiemom11 wrote:
I was checking on dispersed camping in the forest and found that some areas require a permit. You guessed it -- you have to get the permit from the now closed forestry/ranger station. Would you just go ahead an camp anyway, without the required permit?

If you're talking about in Arizona.....yeah, we will. They have 1.2 million acres and 55 employees working. I'll be glad to pay when they come around to collect or open their offices. 🙂 🙂

[doxiemom11]

I was checking on dispersed camping in the forest and found that some areas require a permit. You guessed it -- you have to get the permit from the now closed forestry/ranger station. Would you just go ahead an camp anyway, without the required permit?

[doxiemom11]

Reserve America site is working for campgrounds like KOA, state parks etc that is also services. If you go to a COE or National park site to make a reservation, it has a notice stating that it is not available, or there is a notice that the campground is closed.

[n7bsn]

amandasgramma wrote:
Our local TV station in Oregon put out a Facebook blurb that all BLM campgrounds are closing.......Anyone have any idea how this affects Arizona? I know they furloughed almost all employees and shut down some of the campgrounds (or all), but there's no way they can stop us from camping on the short term OR long term properties, is there?

I can tell you that the BLM campgrounds near Moab UT are not closing, just no services, etc. Signs to this effect at Horse Thief Campground near Dead Horse SP and Canyon Lands NP

[RVUSA]

I know it's a tad early but what about the BLM land out by Quartzsite? I wonder if they will block that off?

[GreenSalsa]

ChiefK wrote:
Stupid, stupid, stupid. They make money from the campers, not lose money. This is just a way to make the American people hurt.

X10

[amandasgramma]

Our local TV station in Oregon put out a Facebook blurb that all BLM campgrounds are closing.......Anyone have any idea how this affects Arizona? I know they furloughed almost all employees and shut down some of the campgrounds (or all), but there's no way they can stop us from camping on the short term OR long term properties, is there?

[Quartermoon]

There is hope - we have reservations at Double Lake National Recreation Area (full hook up camping) Oct 11th. They said it's business as usual since they are mostly run by a private contractor. They just won't have any Forest Service personnel on-site. All campers, day visitors, mountain bikers and hikers are unaffected. So it is a good idea to check before you assume anything.

[Us_out_West]

Federal....not State or local CG's.

[Trixie47]

Am I to believe then that the state parks are not affected by this shutdown ? I have reservations at Jenny Wiley state park in Kentudky for mid October. Been so looking forward to this trip !!!

[melhow]

Another update from the Smokies - my husband left the park this morning to shop our options at private parks (props to Smoky bear Campground on Hwy 321 for being very cool and accommodating with our group)and upon returning to the park was questioned by park services, rightly so, at the gate regarding getting back to camp. He only had his parking tag to prove he was camping, which sufficed, but he was advised he'd need more proof if he needed to exit and re-enter prior to the deadline to be out, which he is now being told is 6PM Thursday.

Lesson here, and it seems pretty evident, but in a rush you might not think about it - if you are in any of the Federal parks and are scrambling to make arrangements outside of the park, be sure you have proof of your accommodations on your person - you will be questioned at the gates.

Good luck campers!

[tandk]

We are in the same boat. We were leaving next Monday for Great Basin, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion for our 30th wedding anniversary 😞 I am now checking out state parks in the area or deciding whether to re-think our destination. Sigh.

[Mich_F]

Oakman wrote:

Mich F wrote:

Ray552 wrote:



All Corp of Engineers and other federal parks campsites are closed as is the reserve America site.

The Reserve America site is still working. At least it is on my computer.

Yes, the other poster probably meant the Recreation.Gov website is temporarily closed. The Reserve America website is still up and running.

No, he's posted numerous times on at least three different threads that Reserve America is shut down. :h

[Oakman]

Mich F wrote:

Ray552 wrote:



All Corp of Engineers and other federal parks campsites are closed as is the reserve America site.

The Reserve America site is still working. At least it is on my computer.

Yes, the other poster probably meant the Recreation.Gov website is temporarily closed. The Reserve America website is still up and running.