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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a popular destination in western North Carolina, is facing a partial closure due to the ongoing government shutdown, which could disrupt the region's tourism season.

Every day, thousands of people travel from miles away to visit the park, including Will Madrigal.

"We came all the way from San Diego and wanted to enjoy the park and to take our boys and learn about what the Smoky Mountains have to offer, " he said.

As of Monday, the park is only fully open because the state of Tennessee, nearby cities and Smoky Mountain nonprofits are paying national park employees themselves, but they can only pay them for so long.

Natalie Totsch, a visitor from Nashville, expressed her concerns, saying, "I think that there should be, despite the government

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