3 Major Problems Acadia National Park Faces During Government Shutdown

While the summertime remains the bread and butter for visitors to Acadia National Park, fall remains the second most popular season for travel to the very popular destination.

Fall offers some incredible foliage views from Acadia, along with cooler temperatures that many people prefer while doing some light hiking.

But as the United States Government officially shutdown as of Wednesday morning, the effects of that shutdown have a chance to be felt, rather significantly, by Acadia National Park sooner rather than later.

According to National Park Traveler, national parks, including Acadia, will stay open during the shutdown. Likely, with reduced staffing.

Here are the three major problems Acadia National Park and its visitors will face if the government doesn't enforce a hard shutdown of the park.

Restroom Cleaning and Trash Collection Will Stop

As national park employees are furloughed, there's a possibility that two important aspects for visitors to Acadia National Park will disappear.

With limited to no employees working the park, restroom maintenance as well as trash collection would essentially stop.

During a government shutdown in December of 2018, other national parks faced millions of dollars worth of damage thanks to overflowing trash and major restroom issues left from lack of maintenance for a month.

Who Will Be There to Enforce Rules at Acadia National Park?

Without a hard shutdown banning visitors to the park, the gates will be left open and visitors will be asked to follow the rules without any oversight.

That includes rules like camping in designated areas as well as staying out of protected areas for animals, birds or plants.

Trails Inside Acadia National Park Could Quickly Become Dangerous

Often times, it's the things you don't see happening at Acadia National Park that go underappreciated.

One of those things is maintaining safe trails for people to enjoy. If Acadia National Park remains open during a government shutdown, trail maintenance simply won't be taking place.

That could make some of Acadia's more challenging hikes even more dangerous.