Federal Shutdown Closes National Parks In State

The National Park Service closed some sites in Washington state on Saturday morning, part of the federal government shutdown.

At Olympic National Park, all visitor centers, ranger stations and administrative offices were closed along with Hurricane Ridge Road.

Some campgrounds and the Kalaloch Lodge remained open, the Park Service said.

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Seattle’s Pioneer Square was shut down.

“Just like last time, we’re closed,” park ranger Todd Haskell told KIRO-TV.

The partial shutdown came about because President Clinton and Republicans in Congress have reached another impasse in federal budget talks. While some essential services and employees remain on the job, many have been told to stay home.

“At this time I think the only nonessential personnel right now are probably the politicians,” Haskell said.”National Park units which are easily closed by shutting a door or a gate are closed as of 9:30 a.m.,” the Park Service said.

No one answered the telephone at any of the nine National Park sites in the state on Saturday, but only at Olympic National Park did a recorded message mention the shutdown.