Utah Will Spend More, If Needed, To Keep National Parks Open

A Utah lawmaker is sponsoring a bill that will provide funding to keep Utah's 5 national parks open into December, should Congress fail to get the federal government going again.

The bill would also provide funding for Glen Canyon/Lake Powell, and for Cedar Breaks and Natural Bridges national monuments – all of the federal properties we are now funding.

The Deseret News has this article about the bill. Below are excerpts.

"We need to send a message to those who want to come to the state that we are open for business," said Senate Majority Whip Stuart Adams.

The state sent the Department of the Interior $1.7 million on Friday to reopen Utah's five national parks, Cedar Breaks and Natural Bridges national monuments, and Lake Powell through Oct. 20. Visitors to the sites last weekend and businesses in tourist-starved gateway communities praised the agreement.

Lake Powell

Thanks to funding from Utah, Lake Powell is open and offering very good recreational opportunities. The water temperature is now 66-70 F. It will cool steadily now as fall progresses, but enthusiasts are still enjoying most water sports. (We will soon be to the point that wet suites and other equipment will come in handy.)

Fishing picks up in the fall is now very good for striped bass and smallmouth bass. Utah biologist Wayne Gustaveson publishes a weekly fishing report, you can see it here.

Monument Valley

The Navajo Nation is smart enough to keep its attractions open, and this is perhaps the best time of year to visit Monument Valley.

These blog posts (part one and part two) offer good info and stunning photos of the valley's iconic landscape.