CAVE CITY, Ky. — As the government shutdown appeared imminent at the end of the September, businesses and tourism agencies that surround Mammoth Cave braced for impact.

Similar to the last prolonged shutdown in 2018, operations at the park would be limited, especially the underground cave trails , which are closed. Those are now shut down, but this time, the closing happened at a peak time for visitors.

Members of the Caveland Marketing Association, made up of local tourism agencies around the national park, worried that visitors would not come.

MacLean Lessenberry, the executive director of Glasgow-Barren County Tourism, pointed out that the trails around Mammoth Cave were pretty quiet. Rooms at hotels have also opened up.

"We have had lots of cancelations. However, on the flip s

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