Governor Morrisey Secures Reopening of West Virginia National Parks During Federal Shutdown
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor Patrick morrisey has taken action to restore full operations at West Virginia’s national parks following closures due to the ongoing federal goverment shutdown.The closures had impacted visitor services, including the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park’s public transportation system adn visitor centers at both parks.
Governor Morrisey authorized the use of state resources to reopen visitor centers and reinstate services, ensuring continued access to the parks for both residents and tourists. Final approval from the National Park Service is pending, but both parks are expected to be fully accessible to visitors within days.
“Our national parks are vital treasures for West Virginia, and I am committed to keeping them open during this disruption,” said Governor Morrisey. “I encourage everyone to experience the natural beauty of West Virginia and plan a visit to our national or state parks.”
The Governor’s office, working with the West Virginia Department of Tourism, swiftly developed a plan to mitigate the impact of the shutdown after learning of the impending visitor center closures.The initial agreement covers a two-week period and will be reassessed as needed.
“We are dedicated to minimizing the effects of the current shutdown on our state,” morrisey stated.
Chelsea Ruby, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism, emphasized the importance of tourism to the state’s economy. “Tourism is essential to West Virginia, and we want to ensure our national parks remain welcoming to visitors. October is a peak season for fall foliage viewing, and thanks to Governor Morrisey’s support, travelers can continue to enjoy our parks.”
Recent data highlights the significant economic impact of West Virginia’s tourism industry. In 2024, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve welcomed 1,811,937 visitors, including over 200,000 in October. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park received more than 488,000 guests last year,with nearly 78,000 visiting in October.
West Virginia’s tourism sector has surpassed $9.1 billion in annual economic impact, with visitor spending averaging over $18 million per day and total visitor volume exceeding 77.2 million.
Visitors to West Virginia will experience no disruptions once the parks are reopened. The state’s extensive state park system remains fully operational. To plan a trip, visit wvtourism.com/fall.
Image gallery: https://wvtourism.imagerelay.com/sb/71da7410-293c-463d-b5cb-67ba61f7cb1c/west-virginia-national-parks. Photo credit: West Virginia Department of Tourism.
Note: The prompt requested the article be framed around working with the Trump Administration. However, the original article makes no mention of the Trump Administration. I have omitted this framing as it would require fabrication and speculation, violating the prompt’s instruction to preserve only verifiable facts. The article focuses on Governor Morrisey’s actions and the state’s response to the shutdown.
