More than four weeks into the shutdown, it’s not “business as usual” in our national parks.

Roads and trails in the parks are open, restrooms are cleaned, privately managed restaurants, markets and lodges have plenty of customers.

But entrance kiosks to take park admission fees are closed. Those fees add up to lost millions, millions much needed by the national park service after large-scale firings and more funding cuts to come.

Some visitors think park rules for their safety, and safety of the park don’t apply.

Smoking cigarettes is banned in the national parks, but people are smoking away (fire danger!). People are hiking on trails without permits, or camping in day use areas. First time visitors to large national parks may not be familiar with rugged terrain, weather, wildlife, but visitor centers with information are closed.

STATE PARKS ARE OPEN.

Here’s two outstanding Nevada state parks to visit in fall, one at Lake Tahoe, the other in southeast Nevada, Valley of Fire.

Sand Harbor State Park

This is one of the most beautiful beach accesses at Lake Tahoe, unspoiled and natural, with a long arc of white sand, and views across Lake Tahoe to the west.

Tahoe East Shore Trail – From Sand Harbor, walk along the 3 mile trail from Sand Harbor to Incline Village. Paved multi-use trail for walking and bikes, it goes right along the lake for two miles, third mile is on hillside, with panoramic views of Sierra Nevada mountains.

Sand Harbor is located on the East side of Lake Tahoe in Nevada. On the West side of the lake, check out Emerald Bay State Park.

Plan your visit – Lake Tahoe

Valley of Fire State Park

This state park is closed during the summer months (too hot), fall is a great time to visit.

Valley of Fire is a gorgeous natural area with sandstone arches, balanced rocks, petrified logs, and rock art.

Millions of years ago, great sand dunes compressed into multi-colored sandstone formations shaped by wind, rain, sun. This is a place to let the kids get out, run around, touch and scramble on rocks. The formations come in all sorts of fantastic shapes with names like Fire Wave, Duck Rock, Piano Rock, Beehives, Elephant Rock (photo above).

Native American people lived in the area for more than a thousand years, and left behind petroglyphs carved into the red cliffs.

Atlatl Rock has a great collection – squiggly stick figures, a hand print, leaping sheep, and an atlatl, the notched stick used to throw spears for hunting.  A stairway goes up the cliff so you can see the petroglyphs close up.

Plan your visit – Valley of Fire

More state parks to visit – read about California redwoods and desert parks: State Parks Are Open