Some national parks reopen during shutdown The government shutdown continues with some hope for those who would like to visit the United States national parks: The Obama administration said last week it would allow states to use their own money to pay for park operations. Utah was the first to accept the offer, and all five national parks in the state reopened Saturday. Colorado also reached agreement to reopen Rocky Mountain National Park, and tourists returned Saturday to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. In Washington, monuments along the Mall have remained closed, as have the Smithsonian museums, including the National Zoo. Claude Moore Colonial Farm in McLean reopened last week; the National Park Service owns the land, but private donations and fees pay for the farm. The Statue of Liberty reopened Sunday with New York footing the bill. South Dakota, helped by several donations, started paying the National Park Service to reopen Mount Rushmore on Monday.