JACKSON — Hours before the U.S. Senate adjourned on Tuesday night, initiating a government shutdown, the Interior Department directed national parks to use entrance fees to remain open.

Under the plan released Tuesday afternoon, parks will use fees to fund basic visitor services such as restrooms, trash collection, campground operations, law enforcement and emergency operations. Buildings that are generally closed after business hours, such as visitor centers, will be locked for the duration of the shutdown.

The legality of the move to stay open is unclear.

A 2019 investigation by the Government Accountability Office found that the Trump administration violated federal law when it allowed parks to use fees to remain open during the government shutdown.

Prior to the release of the plan,

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