US national parks to remain partly open during government shutdown

Hours before the shutdown, NPS staff began preparations to close down some parts of popular US public lands

On Tuesday evening, in the final hours before the US government shutdown, the National Park Service (NPS) began preparations to close down parts of popular public lands across the country - while trails and other open-access areas remain open.

The guidance for park leaders in advance of the federal shutdown had been uncertain as the impasse loomed, raising fears that the parks could be forced to stay open without anyone to staff them.