JACKSON, Wyo. — The U.S. government officially shut down early Wednesday morning, leaving many federal workers furloughed and causing uncertainty about programs and services.
The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board (JHTTB) issued statements Wednesday morning confirming that Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and Yellowstone National Park (YNP) will remain open to visitors. The Department of the Interior’s “Contingency Plan for a Potential Lapse in Appropriations,” which was released yesterday, states that park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials will “generally remain accessible to visitors.”
“All gates are open, but unstaffed,” JHTTB’s statement reads. “Public restrooms will remain open; trash will be picked up; and emergency services will be available. Visitor centers will be closed. Concessions, including services, food and beverage, and convenience stores, will continue to operate on their normal seasonal schedules.”
In response to the government shutdown, Town Council held a special meeting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, to discuss the importance of keeping Bridger-Teton National Forest, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, the National Elk Refuge, GTNP and YNP open to protect the local economy.
“Generally, things are open in terms of gates,” Mayor Arne Jorgensen told Buckrail. “Rangers will be patrolling. But, if there’s a visitor center that’s not open 24 hours, then that would be closed.”
During the special meeting, Jorgensen read the letter that the Town of Jackson addressed to the federal delegation, which requests, on behalf of residents, visitors and businesses, that the region’s public lands remain open throughout the shutdown.
Addressed to Senator John Barrasso, Senator Cynthia Lummis and Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, the letter states that “public land closures due to shutdowns deny both visitors and locals the experience of visiting and recreating on our federal public lands. Even partial closures cause instability, leading to cancelled trips, lost reservations, empty hotel rooms and reduced revenues for guides, restaurants, outfitters and small businesses. More than 8,000 local jobs depend directly on park visitation. These losses ripple far beyond the parks, undermining the economic security of entire communities.”
According to the Town of Jackson, visitation remains high in September and October, making fall one of the town’s busiest and most economically important times. Closing parks or reducing staffing during this period could send “a harmful message to potential visitors,” possibly eroding trips to the region in the future.
Jorgensen told Buckrail that reductions in staffing could negatively impact park infrastructure, facilities and visitor experiences for the long term, especially after the federal government permanently laid off park and forest service employees this past winter.
“This jeopardizes spring and summer visitation and damages the reputation of our parks as world-class destinations,” the Town of Jackson’s letter states. “Protecting access to our treasured National Park and Forest Service lands means protecting the livelihoods of the essential employees who keep them running and the communities whose economies depend on them.”
The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce encourages park visitors to bring extra supplies while visiting GTNP or YNP.
“Please remember to be respectful of the parks, remain conscious of decreased amenities, adhere to all closure signs and show consideration for essential staff who are working hard to keep the parks accessible and safe,” the Chamber of Commerce wrote via press release.
