NPS Announces Important Notice to Park Visitors

V.I. National Park Superintendent Nigel Fields
V.I. National Park Superintendent Nigel Fields

Due to the lapse in federal appropriations, the National Park Service (NPS) is unable to fully staff the properties under its management. It is not feasible to close or otherwise prohibit all access to NPS properties. Park visitors are advised to use extreme caution if choosing to enter NPS property because NPS personnel will not be available to provide guidance, assistance, maintenance or emergency response. Any entry onto NPS property during the period of federal government shutdown is at the visitor’s sole risk.

The NPS will not operate parks during the shutdown period, and no visitor services will be provided. The NPS will not issue permits, conduct educational programs, collect trash, operate or provide restrooms, maintain roads or walkways, including plowing and ice melting, or provide visitor information.

Honeymoon and Hawksnest beaches at Virgin Islands National Park, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. (National Park Service photo)
Honeymoon and Hawksnest beaches at Virgin Islands National Park, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. (National Park Service photo)

The NPS will cease providing services for NPS-operated campgrounds, including maintenance, janitorial, bathrooms, showers, check-in/check-out and reservations. Visitors holding campground reservations should be aware that there is no guarantee their reserved campsite will be ready and available should they arrive during a government shutdown.

Due to the government shutdown the National Park Service has been forced to cancel January’s presentation on Historic Preservation and the Scale House Restoration Project. NPS hopes to bring back the presentation in February.