Joshua Tree Closes Campgrounds as Government Shutdown Continues

All hell is breaking loose at National Parks across America. 

National park officials specifically in California are continuing to cut off access to areas in the state's national parks following reports of vandalism, illegal camping and human waste piling up while the government shutdown drags on into day 12.

Campgrounds at Joshua Tree National Park closed at noon Wednesday due to health and safety concerns over the park's toilets which are at capacity. 

Off-roading and illegal camping have also reportedly damaged some of the park's habitat according to National Parks Service spokesman Andrew Munoz.

At Yosemite National Park, only people with reservations for lodging or camping inside the park will be allowed entrance during peak visitation hours between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Visitors have been relieving themselves behind buildings and along roadsides at the parks, creating health hazards, while the buildup of trash and litter has had a significant effect on the environment, Munoz told the Los Angeles Times.

Park gates remained open at the parks as there were no government employees to collect the typical $30-a-car entrance fee. 

Photo: Getty Images


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