Government Shutdown January 19, 2018, 01:24:33 pm Not to get political in any way, but what would happen to those that are camping at National Parks, USFS campgrounds, etc. if the government were to "shut down" at midnight? Would campers actually be kicked out?Please keep any responses civil and on point. Thanks! 1 Likes
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #1 – January 19, 2018, 01:28:40 pm Add BLM LTVAs and 14-day camps to the list of uncertainties. Rumor has it that the deep wells around Quartzsite are running dry and requiring half-day rest breaks to replenish. And it's only now starting to get crowded here.
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #2 – January 19, 2018, 01:36:00 pm There's been talk by the Administration of keeping the parks open this time in event of a shut down.Trump officials weigh keeping national parks open even if government shuts...Guess time will tell if it actually happens.
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #3 – January 19, 2018, 02:06:22 pm We camped at the Sand Island BLM campground in southern Utah during the October 2013 shutdown. The BLM folks were not around but they left the gate to the campground open. We just put the normal campground fee into the iron box.Paul H. 3 Likes
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #4 – January 19, 2018, 02:52:07 pm We were camping in the Keys / Everglades area during the last shutdown. There was a lot of miscommunication and confusion at the various parks. For example, some front level state park employees thought they were affected and needed to talk to supervisors to learn that they weren't part of the federal government.We were free to snorkel within the boundaries of Pennekamp Reef State Park, but the officials just to the north in Biscayne Bay National Park declared that the ocean within park boundaries was closed. We had plans to spend more time in Everglades National Park but couldn't . You could drive along the public highway that crossed the park, but everything including vehicle turnouts was declared off limits/closed.The lesson I learned is not to count on common sense and avoid trips during that time period. Agencies sometimes go out of their way to make things painful for citizens. The NPS is unfortunately involved in this (affecting RVers) and the strategy has been termed 'Washington Monument Syndrome'. See the '2013 Government Shutdown' entry: Washington Monument Syndrome - Wikipedia Rich'03 MB in NC'03 MB in NC 1 Likes
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #5 – January 19, 2018, 10:34:27 pm Watching the vote and looks as if there will be a shutdown in some capacity.
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #6 – January 20, 2018, 10:03:26 am Between you and me I'm looking forward to the BLM folk throwing out a quarter million rv's here at Quartszite .......🤡🤡🤡 3 Likes
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #7 – January 20, 2018, 10:11:43 am It's probably all those RTR folks, Colddog. I'm hoping we can keep this thread going during the shutdown as a place where people who are camping on government land can post their experiences of how they are affected (or not). 1 Likes
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #8 – January 20, 2018, 10:34:58 am Quote from: colddog - January 20, 2018, 10:03:26 amBetween you and me I'm looking forward to the BLM folk throwing out a quarter million rv's here at Quartszite .......🤡🤡🤡Yea, I don't see that happening! The biggest problem the LTVAs will have, if this drags on for any period of time, is trash. If the BLM stops trash pickup, those big dumpsters will quickly get filled to overflowing! 1 Likes
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #9 – January 20, 2018, 10:47:50 am The Quartzsite Chatter group on Facebook says the water and dump at La Posa is open. Volunteer staff are in charge.
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #10 – January 20, 2018, 10:50:59 am Additional info for each agency:Contingency Plans for Operations in the Absence of Appropriations | U.S....
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #11 – January 20, 2018, 11:18:19 am I saw something on CSPAN or one of the news outlets that they weren't likely to run campers out, roads that were open would not be closed (though no snowplows/etc. to keep anything open), but that there would be no staff/visitor centers, restrooms, facilities would be closed--except those run by contract vendors (e.g., Yellowstone, etc.). NPR reported this morning that open-air sites like the memorials is DC were not being blocked off like last time, but places like the Liberty Bell in Philly were locked up. Also, Arizona was kicking in $100K to keep the Grand Canyon open for tourists--didn't Utah or Nevada do something like that the last time? There was also some reported confusion about some states having staff closing facilities--somebody cleared that up by explaining the difference between federal & state to the uninformed; I know I'm a dinosaur, but it does seem like a return to teaching civics/citizenship would be good for critical thinking (Missouri requires passing state/US constitution tests for HS graduation, but I remember my frustration when my son's 9th grade SS teacher told me back in 2000 that she basically spoon-fed the notes to the kids about what was on the test, claiming there was "no time" for discussion...arrrgggh).Good luck to y'all out there who are traveling during this mess.Lynne 2 Likes
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #12 – January 20, 2018, 11:28:42 am Back Soon"Our Apologies... The Recreation.gov website is not available due to a lapse in funding for the federal government. If you would like to cancel a reservation for a full refund, please call 888-448-1474. We will keep all reservations in the system intact until the departure date has passed in the event you would like to use any part of your reservation. If your reservation falls completely within the time frame of the lapse in funding, full refunds will be made. No additional cancellation fees will be charged to the customer for reservation cancellations as a result of facility closures. We invite you to return to this site as the situation evolves in order to obtain additional information about how services and reservations may be affected." 1 Likes
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #13 – January 20, 2018, 01:56:27 pm Heard on a Facebook group I belong to that someone just got kicked out of Fort Pickens historic park in Florida. Can't confirm that (it is Facebook, after all) but that's the first report I've heard.
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #14 – January 20, 2018, 05:50:52 pm We checked into the Watchman campground in Zion NP yesterday. They would only let us pay for one night because of the political uncertainty in our wonderful government. The host said that in the event of a shutdown, registered campers would be given 48 hours to leave.Today around noon time, the host came around and said the new orders that just came in said that all campers must leave*now*. Not tomorrow, but now. So we packed up and headed out.She said the park rangers would be making a sweep of Zion tonight and escorting people out.The main road is open but all facilities requiring staff are closed.No problem for us because we always travel with a Plan B, but there were several RV’s that were refused entry parked in the parking lot probably wondering what to do. Wonder if they have Plan B?
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #15 – January 20, 2018, 06:02:41 pm I’m not certain if the campground across the river from Watchman’s “B” loop is open, but last year around the middle of March that particular campground was 1/2 full. It may be an option for those turned away from Watchman. One of my favorite campgrounds, by the way. https://www.goodsamcamping.com/travel/campgroundsandrvparks/searchresults.aspx?city=Springdale&state=UTTry the above link. Might help.Good luck,Kent
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #16 – January 20, 2018, 06:07:55 pm The cg you refer to, Kent, is a private cg, I believe. 1 Likes
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #17 – January 20, 2018, 06:12:36 pm Is it? I road my bike through it last March and I believe they had rates for nightly camping for public use. I could be mistaken. Won’t be the first or the last time.Can’t hurt checking it out if you’re already there and no place to go. KentP:S: I added a bit more information in my first response to this Watchman heads up.
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #18 – January 20, 2018, 09:32:03 pm By private I meant to say it is not a government owned or run campground, thus it would not be directly affected by the shutdown. I think this is the one you are referring to, Kent:Ferber Resorts - Zion Canyon Campground
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #19 – January 20, 2018, 11:57:53 pm That’s the address I got. It has quite a few river view sites. Not as reasonably priced as Watchman for Senior travelers but in a pinch it will be a nice alternative. Same views as Watchman so that’s nice.It may be a good choice when Watchman is fully booked. Kent
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #20 – January 21, 2018, 10:26:59 am We're at Pilot Knob LTVA west of Yuma. So far, we have not been ordered to leave. We haven't been by the dumpsters since the shut down, so I don't know if they've been padlocked. We'll have to make a trash run today, so we'll find out.
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #21 – January 21, 2018, 10:43:46 am For you desert rats, this facebook page is a good source of info:https://www.facebook.com/DesertMessengerNews/Posted a few minutes ago: Government shutdown update: The water & dump at BLM La Posa South will be available today, (until water in tanks run out.) Water & Dump is also available in town at RV Pit Stop & Rose's RV Park. Enjoy your day & beautiful weather.
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #22 – January 21, 2018, 11:52:51 am Forgot to mention the rest of the conversation with the campground host when she told us to hit the road at Watchman in Zion.She said that so far, the hosts had not been ordered out of the campground. She said both hosts told their NP supervisor, that if they got the boot, they would not be coming back. Find someone else to spend the winter at Zion.😂
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #23 – January 21, 2018, 12:04:28 pm We have some good friends hosting at the Grand Canyon and while the store is closed they can remain at their site. They're looking forward to a few days off.
Re: Government Shutdown Reply #24 – January 22, 2018, 03:16:17 pm Looks like the Senate has reached a tentative agreement to pass a Continuing Resolution which will fund things until February 8th, so campers you are good until then.