I was supposed to hike Joshua Tree the weekend after Christmas. Asking around to confirm it will be shut down indefinitely due to government shutdown?

The shutdown was averted with a Friday night Congressional vote to pass the appropriations bill so it should be open. Give them a call before you go to verify if its open or not. I wouldn't rely on their web page for information as the NPS is notoriously slow to update any information on parks.

Also verify which hiking trails are open as some have been closed for rehab due to natural causes or man-made problems.

Thanks! I saw the Gov news. Both the hikes we want to do have been hiked in the last several days, so we should be clear to hike where we want.