Government Shutdown Disappoints Tourists at Arizona National Parks

Government Shutdown Leaves Tourists Disheartened as National Parks Close

Visitors arriving at Montezuma Castle National Monument were met with disappointment and frustration as the recent government shutdown led to the closure of this and other national parks across Arizona. Yasmeen Mustafa, who had embarked on a 10-day journey through the Southwest with hopes of visiting several iconic sites, found herself at a loss for words when faced with the locked gates.

“I really have no words to describe how I’m feeling right now,” Mustafa expressed, emphasizing her upset over the unexpected turn of events. Her itinerary included stops at Bryce Canyon and Moab in Utah, among other destinations.

Many visitors, including Mustafa, were met with a “park closed until further notice” sign, leaving them uncertain of their next steps. Park rangers like Cody Becker were present to ensure compliance with the closures, using car lights to alert visitors of the situation.

As vehicles approached the automated gates, they were forced to turn back, leaving tourists visibly disheartened. Communication was limited, with the Department of the Interior website stating that no updates would be provided during the shutdown, and employees were unavailable to answer inquiries.

Among the disappointed visitors were Herbert and Silvia Grell from Austria, who had planned to visit Montezuma Castle as part of their three-week U.S. trip. “We are very sad, but there is a shutdown and the park is closed,” said Herbert Grell. His wife, Silvia, noted that although they were aware of the potential for a shutdown, they had hoped parks might remain open.

Mustafa, aware of the looming shutdown, had hoped to proceed with her plans regardless, stating, “take a chance to come and see, maybe it will not happen.” With her travel plans now disrupted, she was uncertain about the remainder of her family’s itinerary.

Al Valencia and his wife from Los Angeles also faced a change of plans but chose to make the best of their situation by exploring local attractions such as the Cliff Castle Casino. “It’s very disappointing,” Valencia remarked, sharing his intention to revisit Sedona.

Unlike previous shutdowns, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs decided against using state funds to keep national parks operational, citing financial constraints exacerbated by federal policies. Her spokesperson, Christian Slater, conveyed this in a statement to KJZZ.

During past shutdowns, governors like Doug Ducey and Jan Brewer took measures to maintain access to the Grand Canyon. However, with 34,460 federal employees in Arizona currently furloughed, parks remain closed until Congress reaches a budget agreement.

The National Park Service has a plan for such situations, allowing park roads and trails to stay open but permitting closure if resources are deemed vulnerable. Rangers are enforcing these regulations, and Mustafa expressed her hope for a swift resolution, stating, “This is not fair to the citizens of the United States.”

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