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During Government Shutdown, State Parks Still Open

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is reminding people that state parks are still open during the federal government shutdown.

Park camping areas, trails, cabins, boat ramps, and other amenities are open, as are many of the businesses who serve lake visitors.

State nature centers are also open during regular hours. Access wildlife areas and fishing lakes operated by the department remains unchanged.

The federal shutdown has created some confusion about state parks.

For example, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation own many of the reservoirs in Kansas. There, federal campgrounds, day-use areas and boat ramps are closed.

However, Kansas operates the state parks and wildlife areas at many of those reservoirs and many recreational activities like camping, hiking, and wildlife watching are still OK.

KSoutdoors.com has the most up-to-date information about which parks in Kansas are currently open.