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Utah’s funding to keep national parks open during the government shutdown ends Dec. 31

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) In this May 5, 2015, photo hikers walk on the Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion National Park. More than 30,000 people crowded to Zion National Park in a single day over Memorial Day weekend as the iconic red-rock landscape at the already crowded park remains highly popular.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) In this May 5, 2015, photo hikers walk on the Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion National Park. More than 30,000 people crowded to Zion National Park in a single day over Memorial Day weekend as the iconic red-rock landscape at the already crowded park remains highly popular.

By  The Salt Lake Tribune
 | Dec. 27, 2018, 7:47 p.m.
| Updated: Dec. 28, 2018, 7:50 a.m.

Time is running out for the state’s funding to keep three national parks open during the federal government shutdown.

The funding will end New Year’s Eve, according to FOX 13.

Utah State Treasurer David Damschen told FOX 13 the state is spending about $10,000 a day to keep facilities open at Arches, Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks.

The Utah Office of Tourism said it would evaluate the costs and benefits of continued funding if the shutdown goes into the new year, which now looks possible, according to The Associated Press.

The $10,000 in taxpayer money for the three parks is less than what Utah spent during the last major shutdown. However, during this shutdown, the parks are being kept at minimal staffing levels.

Gov. Gary Herbert has said that the state was never reimbursed for money spent during the last shutdown.

For more, see FOX 13.

Editor’s note: The Salt Lake Tribune and FOX 13 are content-sharing partners.


Editor’s note:


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