News and Events How Will the Government Shutdown Impact America's Long Trails? America’s long trails, which cross through a patchwork of federal and state lands, and whose hikers rely on numerous government resources, are not exempt from the impacts of a shutdown, even outside of the national parks. ADVERTISEMENTIn addition to further deferring maintenance, the shutdown may impact permitting and reservation processes. The organization also stated that the shutdown should not impact the application process for U.S. hikers to access the trail’s southern terminus located within the newly-designated National Defense Area. ADVERTISEMENTBefore hitting the trail, hikers should research current closures in their area.