Be Prepared: How to Adapt Your Outdoor Arizona Adventure

WHAT DOES THE SHUTDOWN MEAN FOR MY TRIP?

The federal government shutdown may impact access and standard service levels on the 50+ federally-managed lands and sites across Arizona, which includes national parks, monuments, recreation areas, historic sites and forests.

However, many federally managed sites may remain accessible to varying degrees during the shutdown. The best approach to experiencing a successful trip is to stay informed, consider alternative destinations and Appreciate AZ by following the Leave No Trace principles when visiting any public lands.

WHAT TO KNOW WHEN VISITING FEDERALLY MANAGED SITES:

The majority of Arizona National Parks and Monuments will continue to provide basic visitor services including restrooms and sanitation, trash collection, road maintenance, campground operations, law enforcement and emergency operations, and staffing entrance gates as necessary to provide critical safety information.

Park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible to visitors. Generally, if a facility or area is locked or secured during non-business hours (buildings, gated parking lots, etc.) it will remain locked or secured for the duration of the shutdown.

Always plan ahead prior to visiting any park, monument, forest or site by checking its website or social media accounts for the latest information.

ALTERNATIVES TO VISITING FEDERALLY MANAGED SITES:

If you need to change your plans, Arizona offers 30+ state parks sites and museums which are not impacted by federal shutdowns and offer great experiences for visitors.

Here are a few to consider:

Grand Canyon National Park: Red Rock State Park, Grand Canyon West, Page - Antelope Canyon
Saguaro National Park: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum,Tucson Mountain Park
Petrified Forest National Park: Painted Desert
Montezuma Castle National Monument: Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum
Walnut Canyon National Monument: Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum
Wupatki National Monument: Homolovi State Park
Coronado National Memorial: Kartchner Caverns State Park, Fort Huacuaca
Lake Mead National Recreation Area: Buckskin Mountain State Park, River Island State Park

APPRECIATE AZ: PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE

As you're planning your outdoor adventure to one of Arizona's many public lands, outdoor preparedness is especially vital. A bit of planning can make a big difference in a safe and fun Arizona adventure that will help minimize impacts to the outdoors.

Part of planning ahead and preparing is to have a back-up plan in case things go awry. Arrive to your destination and discover that it's closed, the parking lot is full, the hours have changed or inclement weather makes it impossible to access or enjoy?

Every trip should include back-up locations in case things don't go according to plan. Before you even head out on your trip, you should identify a secondary nearby destination that you can visit if your first choice isn't available. As Mother Nature can be unpredictable, be patient and respectful of the land, fellow visitors and park stewards.

Before you go, verify hours, potential staffing shortages and if possible, current visitation levels. Arizona's public lands are managed by a number of different organizations who frequently maintain their websites with the most up-to-date information.

Arizona's diverse land ownership:

As you're planning your trip, here are just a few of the federal organizations that keep Arizona's stunning beauty intact.

US National Park Service (NPS) With the help of volunteers and partners, NPS manages nine parks in Arizona, and safeguards a number of other special places and monuments.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona's six biomes offer a great variety of lands for different use. BLM helps to ensure these public lands are open for all visitors looking to recreate responsibly.
US Forest Service The forests in Arizona cover nearly 12 million acres of land. This is divided among national forests including Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Coronado, Kaibab, Prescott and Tonto.

Additionally, Arizona State Parks and Trails and various local county, tribal and municipal parks preserve and maintain public lands.

Importance of public lands

Arizona has no shortage of awe-inspiring, wide open outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy. As grand as they may be, they still require a great deal of ongoing care and respect.

These special places remind us to slow down and take a moment to enjoy all that nature has to offer. Arizona's defining beauty is unlike anywhere in the world, which is why it is so crucial to do your part.

While visiting Arizona's iconic natural wonders, be sure to practice Leave No Trace principles to ensure these spaces can be enjoyed for many years to come.