The government shutdown has claimed a victim close to home.

Little River Canyon National Preserve remains closed due to the failure of the Administration and Congress reach an agreement on a spending plan.

October is usually the third busiest time of the year when it comes to visitors at the preserve and its closing could cost the area much-needed tourism dollars.

Frankly, it was difficult to get any information as to when the park may reopen.

If you go to the website it simply says:

“Because of the federal government shutdown, national parks are closed and the National Park Service website is not being maintained.”

The website does indicate that some National Parks such as the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, along with parks in Utah, New York and Colorado, have been temporarily reopened due to donations from states to the National Parks Service.

In our area Desoto State Park, High Falls Park and Bucks Pocket State Park all remain open as they are not operated by the Federal Government.