As of 12:01am today (October 1), the federal government is officially shut down. Among many other impacts nationwide, the shutdown means a pause in visitor services at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The shutdown will last until Congress agrees on a federal spending bill, and all National Park Service properties will be impacted in the meantime.

What exactly does a lapse in visitor services mean for Sleeping Bear Dunes? According to a bulletin from Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, the nonprofit organization that works with the NPS to support operations at the National Lakeshore, the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire is closed until further notice. The same is true of the Glen Haven Cannery and Boat Museum, the Sleeping Bear Point Maritime Museum, and the Blacksmith Shop, as well as “ranger-led activities and educational programs for schools.”

“Visitors can still enjoy the Dune Climb and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, although the fee booths will not be open and fee collection has been suspended,” the Friends of Sleeping Bear bulletin adds. “Campgrounds will continue to operate paying staff using fee dollars. However, using fee revenue to cover staffing may impact project funds for next year.” Trails and beaches within the National Lakeshore will also remain open to the public.

As far as staffing is concerned, the Friends bulletin notes that “research programs and administrative and planning activities will be on hold during a shutdown.” Law enforcement rangers, though, will still be on duty, as will “a small maintenance staff” for the park.

In addition to the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes email, the official Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Facebook page shared a post from the National Park Service this afternoon, noting that the Park Service “will continue to share critical information about park access, safety, and resources” during the federal shutdown. More details about interrupted services can be found on the Department of the Interior website.