Visitors to parks in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area this weekend are urged to plan ahead and expect delays and may want to consider visiting at another time, parks officials said.
This weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for the recreation area, which includes such popular attractions as Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods and the Marin Headlands.
Visitors to the Marin Headlands can expect traffic delays to Conzelman Road and Rodeo Beach areas.
Because of the federal government shutdown, visitors are being asked to pack in their necessities and pack out their waste.
Parks officials said trash will not be picked up and bathrooms won't be open to comply with the requirements of the shutdown.
Point Bonita Lighthouse, the Nike Missile Site and the visitor center at the Marin Headlands will be closed.
National Park Service ranger programs are not being provided but staff with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy will be providing visitor services at Muir Woods and Alcatraz and other park sites.
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Parks officials said visitors to Muir Woods must reserve parking and entrance fees must be paid.
Presidio Trust attractions, including the Presidio Visitor Center, are open because they are operated under a different fiscal authority.
Open areas of Ocean Beach and Lands End are open but like the Marin Headlands, trash will not be picked up and bathrooms will be closed.
Garbage will be picked up and bathrooms will be open at Crissy Field under an agreement between the Presidio Trust and the National Park Service.
U.S. Park Rangers and U.S. Park Police will be on duty because these services are considered "excepted" to the shutdown. Parks officials said law enforcement officers will be enforcing laws and regulations to keep visitors safe and maintain park property.
Visitors may be cited for entering closed areas and for activities that endanger their safety or the safety of others.
