The hope among many Senate Democrats to address the fate of Dreamers, the undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children, led to a three-day government shutdown starting last Saturday that briefly pinched operations in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Park spokesman John Dell’Osso, one of just 12 employees who came to work—the remaining 90-some were furloughed—said that, in contrast to the last shutdown, “our directions from the top were to remain as open as possible to the public this time.” 

In 2013, a 16-day government shutdown had severe impacts nationwide with the closure of all of the roughly 400 national park sites and the loss of $450,000 per day in revenue, according to the park service. Public backlash at the Obama-administration shutdown was particularly visible as it pertained to parks; for instance, a group of veterans aided by Republican lawmakers knocked over barricades to visit the World War II Memorial. 

This time around, the Trump administration kept the gates remained open to attractions like the Grand Canyon and the memorial. 

In the seashore, unlike in 2013, entrances to trails and parking lots remained open, as did all four concessions. The field seminars sponsored by the Point Reyes National Seashore Association were held on schedule, whereas in 2013, due to canceled classes and reduced sign-ups, the association’s executive director said the group had faced losses of $25,000. 

Mr. Dell’Osso put out a press release on Sunday and the park put up advisory signs to warn people that emergency and rescue services were limited. His release said the park had closed visitor centers, the weekend shuttle bus service and some restrooms. Workers were not collecting trash, maintaining facilities or roads, or monitoring or updating social media or the website. The park was also not servicing or monitoring campgrounds; visitors holding campground reservations were advised that there was no guarantee that their reserved campsite was ready or available. 

Mr. Dell’Osso said the few days went fairly smoothly, with just a bit of mischief. Before the shutdown, employees fenced off the stairs to the lighthouse, but cameras caught sight of visitors climbing over the fence. (Park rangers issued citations to some of them.) And without ranger oversight at Drakes Beach, beachgoers allegedly approached an elephant seal, causing it to retreat into the ocean. 

Mr. Dell’Osso said Sunday’s rain likely reduced the number of visitors. “Luckily, this wasn’t too painful,” he said on Tuesday.