Disturbing photos show national parks and monuments overflowing with garbage as the US government shutdown continues

Advertisement

Visitors have reportedly witnessed piles of trash spilling out of a public bathroom at Lassen National Forest in Northern California.

Visitors have reportedly witnessed piles of trash spilling out of a public bathroom at Lassen National Forest in Northern California.
Advertisement

Stray belongings have been pitched against the side of a restroom.

Stray belongings have been pitched against the side of a restroom.
Advertisement

Broken sleds and discarded beer cans line the snow-covered ground.

Broken sleds and discarded beer cans line the snow-covered ground.

Big Bend National Park in Southwest Texas has also seen its share of overflowing garbage.

Big Bend National Park in Southwest Texas has also seen its share of overflowing garbage.
Advertisement

Trash has been tossed along the road at Yosemite, where restrooms are also inundated with feces.

Trash has been tossed along the road at Yosemite, where restrooms are also inundated with feces.

At the base of the site's scenic mountains, people have discovered plastic bottles and trash bags, which can be harmful to wildlife.

At the base of the site's scenic mountains, people have discovered plastic bottles and trash bags, which can be harmful to wildlife.
Advertisement

At Joshua Tree National Park, volunteers have helped to maintain public restrooms.

But the problem has gotten out-of-hand in Washington, DC, where the National Mall is teeming with litter.

But the problem has gotten out-of-hand in Washington, DC, where the National Mall is teeming with litter.
Advertisement

Ahead of the shutdown, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said the Department of Public Works would take over trash collection for the National Parks Service.

Ahead of the shutdown, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said the Department of Public Works would take over trash collection for the National Parks Service.

Source: Executive Office of the Mayor

As late as Wednesday, residents found the sidewalks still covered in garbage.

As late as Wednesday, residents found the sidewalks still covered in garbage.
Advertisement

While some locals are chiding citizens for tossing their trash into an already-full bin, others blame the shutdown.

While some locals are chiding citizens for tossing their trash into an already-full bin, others blame the shutdown.

Source: Twitter users Beano, Sandra, and Evan Koslof