Key Points:
• Though officially closed because of the government shutdown, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area remains accessible to the public.
• All park operations are suspended, with the visitor center closed. Bathrooms remain open but they will not be cleaned or regularly restocked.
The official friends’ group of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area said that although the federal government shutdown mean the park is officially closed, it will remain accessible to the public.
Brittany Jones, executive director of the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy, said in a new release that residents may still visit the park, but all park operations are suspended. The visitor center is closed, and park programming has been cancelled.
According to Jones, trash collection will be limited. Bathrooms will remain open. However, they will not be cleaned or restocked on a regular schedule.
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Jones advised park visitors to call 911 for emergency services. National Park Service emergency services remain active, but response times may be delayed due to limited staffing.
Park visitors should exercise caution and plan ahead for their safety, according to the release.
National Park Service staff will not be available to answer phones during the government shutdown. Jones said park visitors may reach out to the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy and representatives will do their best to help.
Jones asked park visitors to be good stewards. If they choose to visit, she suggested that they “pack it in, pack it out,” bringing necessary supplies and taking their trash home when they leave the park.
Visitors should check the weather and trail conditions before heading to the park and let someone know their plans.
The Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy is the park’s primary philanthropic partner and official nonprofit friends’ group. It will continue to monitor the situation and share updates related to the government shutdown.
“While we are not involved in park operations, we remain committed to supporting CRNRA and its visitors however we can,” Jones said in the release.