Effects of the government shutdown on services at the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon, Arizona – Federal Shutdown Strikes Local Businesses

The federal government shutdown has led to a partial closure of the Grand Canyon, adding another layer of strain on businesses already suffering economically.

Towns like Tusayan, which rely heavily on tourism, faced significant financial challenges over the summer due to the Dragon Bravo fire. Just recently, visitors saw bustling activity at the Grand Canyon despite the situation—Wednesday was surprisingly busy, with a full shuttle transporting numerous guests.

However, many people gathered outside the Visitor Center, reading signs about the closure due to the shutdown. For Armando Garcia from Flagstaff, he was showing the Grand Canyon to his parents for the first time, noting they didn’t need to pay an entrance fee because of the closure. “It was free,” he remarked. “They didn’t charge today because of the shutdown. I’m not sure how long it will last, but it seems busy right now.”

Others observed that no toll booths were set up; the visitor center was closed, and no rangers were present. But several facilities, still operating, were managed by the Grand Canyon Conservancy.

Ellie Lulano and Blair Hitchcock, who traveled from Texas to visit for the first time, expressed hope that the Visitor Center would reopen since it provides valuable information. Hitchcock pointed out, “I think people from other countries might not even know it’s closed.”

Local companies in Tusayan were already feeling the pinch from decreased tourism following the Dragon Bravo fire. Stony Ward, who works at Buck Wild Hummer Tours, noted that businesses already faced declining revenues and were letting staff go. “None of our businesses feel stable right now,” he said. “We get a lot of inquiries like, ‘Are you open?’”

A nearby hotel reported cancellations, further complicating the situation for local businesses. Yet Ward suggested that now might actually be a good time to visit the canyon and lend support to these businesses.

The Hiking Community’s Concerns

Hikers who have been preparing for months to tackle the Grand Canyon are worried about the implications of the shutdown. Scott Weitzenhoffer stressed that our national parks and the people working in them are invaluable. “We really hope this gets resolved soon,” he added.

Weitzenhoffer and Elizabeth Hamilton, both from Houston, have been training for almost a year for this trip, a journey they had to postpone last year. “We attempted to hike down the Hermit Trail to the river but faced an unexpected snow and ice storm in March. We were finally hoping to complete that trip,” Hamilton explained.

As they plan a road trip later this month, they share concerns about what facilities might be open when they reach the canyon. “Our biggest worry is search and rescue,” Hamilton said, noting that they’ll be in a remote area.

Despite some trails and campsites remaining open, Weitzenhoffer and Hamilton feel it wouldn’t be right to visit the park when employees aren’t getting paid. “Our national park system is a monumental achievement for our nation, so it’s crucial to support it, especially during tough times,” he remarked.