I got this e-mail today from "Dinghy Digest":

Wow, talking about biting off your nose to spite your face. What idiot thought it would be a good idea to ensure they get no absolutely revenue from the biggest vacation week of the year? If I was a taxpayer in AZ, I'd be furious.

Wow...

Mike

I guess they heard you, because Arizona officials have now changed their minds and decided to keep the parks open for 4th of July:

ARIZONA'S STATE PARKS BACK OPEN TODAY
STATE PARKS AVAILABLE FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAYS

(Phoenix, AZ -- July 1, 2009 - 9:00 AM) - Campers will be the happiest people in the state today to hear that the Arizona State Parks department are re-opening State Parks immediately. Because state employees were authorized to report to work this morning, all the park rangers will take down closed park signs at the gates to the State Parks and the public is welcome to come and enjoy the great outdoors.

"Nobody is happier than we are to welcome guests back into the parks and to get ready for our biggest week of the year, the Fourth of July holidays," said Executive Director Renee Bahl. "During this difficult economic time it is critical that we continue to offer park opportunities for our residents and visitors. These rural communities rely on tourism to keep their restaurants, gas and retail businesses vibrant. Since the 30 State Parks generate $266 million in economic impact for the rural communities, the parks now are one of the last big revenue generators for outlying businesses who then contribute to the state budget."

For more information about the 30 State Parks, other hiking opportunities such as hiking all the 550 State Trails, off-highway vehicle trails and other outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities in Arizona, visit the website at AZStateParks.com or call (602) 542-4174.

State parks? They close off nature, or is a "state park" something more? You can not go backpacking in a "state park" if it is closed?

Yep.

We have a lot of different designations. Park, generally means a place with facilities; parking, restrooms, camping sites with toilets. If the gate's closed, you can't enter. These are typically high usage areas and need more formal regulation. Yellowstone, for instance, is a lot like a city; complete with police force and traffic jams!

We also have a lot of National and State forests, also Wilderness areas, that have little formal regulation. They are always open, but have no facilities, hence they are usually described as "primitive" areas.

And then there's this:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31693419/ns/travel-news