Arizona Federal Lands Closed During Government Shutdown Are Reopening

Arizona Game and Fish Department 10.21.13

On Oct. 16 the U.S. Senate and House passed, and the President signed, a bill that reopened the federal government, ending the 16-day partial shutdown. Federal employees were instructed to return to work Oct. 17.

Lands and facilities that had been closed as a result of the shutdown are in the process of reopening. This includes national wildlife refuges administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, lands administered by the National Park Service, and developed recreation sites and administrative facilities on Forest Service and BLM lands. Most Forest Service and BLM lands other than the developed sites had remained open for hunting and other outdoor recreation during the shutdown.

Some of Arizona’s national forests have issued news releases regarding the reopening of facilities:

The U.S. Department of the Interior posted information on its website which included a note saying that parks, refuges and other public lands are being reopened as quickly as possible.

If you are planning to visit an area that had been closed during the shutdown, it is recommended you call ahead to the appropriate land management agency to confirm the area is open.

Arizona Game and Fish Department

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is a state agency of Arizona, headquartered in Phoenix. The agency is tasked with conserving, enhancing, and restoring Arizona's diverse wildlife resources and habitats through aggressive protection and management programs. It also provides wildlife resources and safe watercraft and off-highway vehicle recreation for the enjoyment of, appreciation by, and use by present and future generations.