Governors tap state funds to keep some national parks open during the government shutdown

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Oct. 7, 2025, 5:00 AM EDT


With the government shutdown about to extend into a second week, some governors are drawing on state funds to ensure popular national parks remain open for visitors.

Utah and West Virginia said they already have funding streams to keep places like the Zion and New River Gorge parks operational. Tennessee is playing a role in helping keep Great Smoky Mountains National Park open, while Colorado is eying similar steps for some of the National Park Service attractions in its state.

The Interior Department issued guidance last week allowing open-air sites at parks to remain open during the shutdown, but indoor structures like visitor centers would be closed to the public.

Nearly 64% of the National Park Service's 14,500 employees are expected to be furloughed amid the funding lapse.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/governors-tap-state-funds-keep-national-parks-open-government-shutdown-rcna235569

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For some reason whenever there is a funding lapse and shutdown, the media obsesses over the national parks.

As a note - this place is closed -

But you can still see the Liberty Bell (in its own building across the street from Independence Hall, that is also closed) from the outside -



But this place is still open (a couple blocks north of Independence Hall, with a view of it, and is privately funded) -