Utah State Parks Blog

State Parks Open During Jan 2018 Federal Shutdown

SALT LAKE CITY – With the partial shutdown of the Federal Government, many Utah travelers are curious about how this impacts their outdoor plans.

While visitors will find their outdoor experience has been impacted by the shutdown, there are still many options for visitors to enjoy.

State Parks

All of Utah’s 43 state parks remain open. State park rangers, as well as regular staff, remain available in their traditional capacity this time of year. Our visitor centers remain open, as do our museums and heritage areas.

Planning a trip to Arches National Park? Dead Horse Point State Park is just down the road, and offers some of the best scenic views you can find.

Visit our Parks page to learn more about these destinations.

National Parks & Monuments

As of Saturday, January 20, 2018, Utah’s national parks and monuments are accessible, but all visitor centers are closed.

Interpretive services, ranger systems, search and rescue, and other staff are also limited in federally managed areas.

Due to the federal shutdown, national parks, monuments, and forests will not be able to update their websites or social media channels with weather conditions, closures, and other critical safety information. Visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution when visiting these areas and inquire locally whenever possible for current conditions.

Alternate Destinations

Though access to national parks and monuments remains available, due to the limited staffing and resources, you might consider an alternative destination during the shutdown.

Browse the list below for the Utah Office of Tourism’s top picks for alternative destinations.

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

Capitol Reef National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Zion National Park

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