Rivnuts from Homestead PA on 9/23/2023 9:13:02 PM:
I’m certainly no expert on the ins and outs of a federal shutdown but I’ll offer some thoughts.
I understand that the national parks fall under federal discretionary spending and their employees are vulnerable to a shutdown. I would not expect any impact on unmanned hiker/biker sites or the non-potable water sources (I.e. pumps) therein along the C&O Towpath. However, the pay-to-stay campgrounds along the Towpath operated under the auspices of the C&O National Park Service might be affected. While there are generally no park attendants at these, the ability to make reservations could be affected. If you made your reservations before the shutdown, I would think you could still stay there.
There should be no impact on camping sites and water sources along the GAP other than at the pay-to-stay Outflow Campgound in Confluence, PA operated by National Park Service.
All the other sites are private, state or municipally owned and thus not affected by a federal shutdown.
I don’t know if Amtrak might be affected or not. I hope not since I have a reservation to take me and my.bike to DC on 10/4.