We are in Maine, near Acadia for the next 3 weeks. I have read that if congress doesn't pass the budget by 9/30, the National Parks will close. Whatever happens in DC, it will be last minute. Is anyone changing their travel plans? No political comments needed, just curious if the uncertainty of the National Parks being open is causing you to reschedule or change your plans.

Being in Canada, I have not heard any of this before your post. Are you talking, all parks across the country? Also, is this a permanent plan or a temporary one? Thanks, it could affect my kids plans.

Op here. My understanding is all national parks will be affected, if congrss doesn't approve the budget. The fiscal year ends 9/30, so closures would be 10/1 until the budget is settled. I do not know the full impact of these closures, maybe someone more knowledgeable can chip in.

Maybe check with the info center on the other side of the Trenton bridge. BTW I think I am parked around the corner from you at Narrows 2.....Bruce

klm wrote:We are in Maine, near Acadia for the next 3 weeks. I have read that if congress doesn't pass the budget by 9/30, the National Parks will close. Whatever happens in DC, it will be last minute. Is anyone changing their travel plans? No political comments needed, just curious if the uncertainty of the National Parks being open is causing you to reschedule or change your plans.Don't worry about it. If they close they won't be closed forever, just temporarily. Some National Parks would be shut down for a year or more because of natural calamities. This budget blip is less of a problem than that.My advice is to turn off the political news, keep an eye on the weather and enjoy your travels and loved ones. There's plenty of places to stay until the politicians sort it.

Failure to pass the budget means that all "non critical" Federal functions stop. The Military gets IOU's, as does the ICE, Air Traffic Controllers, FBI, etc.So, all Parks are closed, no personal work on Passports, Visa applications, etc. All regular budget non-critical federal personal are NOT allowed to be at work. This last happened it in the winter of 95-96, for a total of 28 days. Interestingly, those personal that were furloughed got back pay, so they got an additional 4 weeks of "vacation" (I was in a non-regular budgeted job and I worked through the shutdown)Personally we are still planning on our trip, we are adjusting the trip to visit non-Federal locations on 1-3 Oct. If the shutdown happens, and stretches out that long, well, it will certain end the trip. After the back-lash over the last shutdown, I do not expect it to go on that long

Possible gov shutdown - anyone changing plans?

answerswillvary
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
This subject is nearly impossible to discuss without getting political...which is against forum rules.

Some posts have been deleted and this thread is now closed.
AprilWhine
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
I was an active fed during the last shutdown. It was nice getting some extra paid vacation.

Our plans haven't changed but then, we weren't planning on traveling again until
December. Can't imagine this won't be resolved before then.
bukhrn
Explorer III
Sep 24, 2013
n7bsn wrote:
Robert and Patsy wrote:
What about C.O.E. Parks? Will they be a part of the shut down?

I would say, closed. The personal will have no funds to pay their wages.

I can just about 100% guaranty the political ranting will be deleted.
I'm surprised it hasn't been already, Mods must be sleeping.
deleted-2
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
No plans.
No changes.

IB4L
n7bsn
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
Robert and Patsy wrote:
What about C.O.E. Parks? Will they be a part of the shut down?

I would say, closed. The personal will have no funds to pay their wages.

I can just about 100% guaranty the political ranting will be deleted.
klm
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
op here. I started this topic as a travel topic in regards to the possible shutdown of National Parks. Not interested in a political discussion, let your vote speak on election day. So, back yo the original post, Anyone changing their travel plans?
PUCampin
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
I was affected last time the gov shut down. We had reservations to stay in Yosemite for a weekend in Nov. When the gov shut down, Yosemite was closed. We just ended up going somewhere else for the weekend. My sugestion is if you have plans for a national park the first week or 2 in october, have a back-up plan.
mikebreeze
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
During the last government shutdown I was leading a hike in a National Battlefield. We spotted a ranger and I asked him if we had to leave. His response was 'Just stay in the woods'.
korbe
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
Government shutdown? Oh, okay.
MNtundraRet
Navigator
Sep 24, 2013
Well anyone not living under a rock knows the politicians have been working toward this date for months now. :M

We just got back from camping in Painted Rocks National Sea-shore and Michigan S.P.'s for two weeks just a week ago on Monday to avoid the problem. :)

Two years ago my MN annual permit ran out the day before the dummies decided to shut down the state government and close our state parks.

We just purchased a Michigan annual and camped in Wisconsin and Michigan until they came to their senses. :B

It would be much cheaper to not pay the politicians when they act like spoiled brats than to close the parks. :C