UPDATE: Joshua Tree National Park closure canceled

Update – 1/9/19:

The closure has been canceled, instead, the park will open more areas previously inaccessible to visitors. Some staff will also be present to make sure park resources are protected.

More info on reopening and list of areas reopened

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Original Article – 1/8/19:

Joshua Tree National Park announced a temporary close starting Thursday, January 10 at 8 am. During the closure, staff will be working to address sanitation concerns and maintenance.

This is the first full park closure since the partial government shutdown. Campgrounds closed on Wednesday, January 2. During the 2013 government shutdown, the park entrance was shut off entirely to visitors.

Tuesday marks day 18 of partial government shutdown, and Joshua Tree National Park continues to feel the impact of staff furloughs. In a news release, officials said they will use funding from park fees to handle necessary work. They referenced specific issues with drivers creating new roads and destruction of Joshua trees.

Business still booming despite gov’t shutdown in Joshua Tree National Park

Park officials said law enforcement rangers will enforce the closure while the staff finishes their cleanup and resource protections.

Volunteers in the area have taken on the responsibility of park maintenance during the partial government shutdown. Visitors have still been allowed in the park on most days but without the standard $30 entrance fee per vehicle.

Volunteers mobilize to maintain Joshua Tree National Park amid gov’t shutdown

No word on when they plan to reopen the park, but officials stated in their release that they “plan to restore accessibility to the park in addition to limited basic services in the coming days.