The latest federal government shutdown is here and it’s already changing vacation plans. When lawmakers fail to agree on a budget, funding halts and “non-essential” federal employees—including thousands who staff national parks and historic sites—are sent home. The result is a confusing mix of closures, limited hours and “you’re on your own” experiences at some of America’s most famous landmarks.
If you’re planning a trip this week, know this: Most outdoor areas like roads, trails and overlooks are still open. But visitor centers, museums, ranger programs and ticketed attractions that require staff are often closed. That means your hike to the Grand Canyon rim is still on—but your guided tour of Independence Hall is not.
What’s closed right now?
Several headline-grabbing sites are locked: the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the Washington Monument interior in D.C. and Muir Woods outside San Francisco. The Gateway Arch tram in St. Louis is suspended and ticketed events there are canceled. Out west, Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and the Petrified Forest in Arizona are closed to visitors. Even Alcatraz Island has been affected, with refunds offered to those whose tickets fall during the shutdown.
What’s still open (with caveats)?
Many of the big-name parks—Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite—are open for self-guided exploration. Roads, trails, campgrounds and overlooks remain accessible and concession-run lodging and restaurants are operating. But expect no ranger-led programs, canceled tours and shuttered visitor centers. In D.C., outdoor memorials like the Lincoln and Jefferson remain walkable, and the Smithsonian museums have pledged to stay open through at least October 6 by using prior-year funds.
How long will this last?
That depends entirely on Congress. Past shutdowns have stretched from a few days to more than a month, and uncertainty is the only guarantee. The National Park Service is warning that services may be “limited or unavailable.”
Travelers are reporting vague updates online—one frustrated visitor wrote, “I guess I have to drive there to see if the gate is closed.” And with two-thirds of the Park Service furloughed, ranger Bill Wade has a blunt reminder: Don’t “do anything stupid” and “be a little bit more careful” until staff are back on duty, he told the Washington Post.