Update at 12:15 pm: Visit Tuolumne County is providing an update on some of the impacts of the government shutdown on some local attractions. The group note sthat Yosemite National Park is open and essential staff in the park, like law enforcement and first responders, are still working. Services that could be limited include visitor centers, ranger stations, restrooms and trash collection.
Yosemite Hospitality continues to operate in-park lodging, shuttles, dining, shops, and booked activities.
Also, Pinecrest Lake on the Stanislaus National Forest is open. However, forest restrooms could be impacted.
Click here for more information about visiting public lands during a government shutdown.
Original story posted at 6:33 am: Washington, DC — For the first time in nearly seven years, the federal government has shut down.
Both sides are pointing fingers at each other as negotiations between Republicans and Democrats have stalled.
Parks like Yosemite are expected to remain open, with a skeleton crew. The National Park Service put out guidance late Tuesday night to keep the parks running. Both sides expressed the importance of having the parks at least partially open because they are economic generators for the surrounding communities.
California’s US Senator, Adam Schiff, weighed in Tuesday evening, warning that some national parks may see “garbage piling up” because limited services will be provided.
Some areas, like visitor centers, will likely not be staffed. Similar actions are anticipated at attractions like New Melones. More information is expected to be known later today.
The US Postal Service will remain operational.
California State Parks are not impacted and will remain fully staffed, such as Railtown 1897, Calaveras Big Trees, and Columbia State Historic Park.
