Some National Parks Reopen Despite Shutdown

States are pulling out their own checkbooks to get some federal parks to reopen two weeks after the government shutdown began.

FOX News Radio’s Jeff Monosso reports:

The ferry boats are landing again at the Statue of Liberty and the gates are open at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota and the Grand Canyon in Arizona where it’s big deal for tourists and businesses alike.

(Tourist)”We planned this trip for over one year and this is the only chance to come here this day and we are very happy about it.”

(Park Employee) “To get people back in the water and back on the trails and in the hotels and in the restaurants.”

The Grand Canyon draws about 18,000 people a day this time of year, pumping millions into local economies.

Federal workers in Utah and Colorado also rushing to reopen parks in hopes of saving tourist seasons thanks in part to temporary, state and private funding.

Jeff Monosso, FOX News Radio.