Pictures shared by the National Park Service and the nonprofit news organization National Parks Traveler show a downed tree and illegal campsites in California's Joshua Tree National Park. A group of people set up camp on an illegal camp site, David Smith told National Parks Traveler. We had destruction of government property with the cutting of chains and locks for people to access campgrounds," park Superintendent David Smith told National Parks Traveler. Joshua trees were actually cut down in order to make new roads." Despite the partial government shutdown, park officials have been able to keep most of the park accessible, but on Tuesday, they announced the park would temporarily close this week so they could clean up, enforce safety and repair damage due to vandalism.

Source: CNN January 11, 2019 18:33 UTC