Just last week, we wrote about camping and glamping as the ultimate way to maintain a healthy soul during our current crisis. Since that time, we’ve learned that Disney’s Fort Wilderness will close on Friday, and will remain closed until at least the end of March. With the spread of the novel coronavirus, our beloved state campgrounds have responded in vastly different ways. Here is a list of all state park systems, and their status as of March 19, 2020 (next update: March 24, 2020).
Virginia State Parks are open!
Current information on what we are doing to keep our visitors and staff safe as we continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation can be found here: https://t.co/PJmQayPhsL
Pictured: Pollinator meadow hike at Shenandoah River State Park pic.twitter.com/b1YyhVivUo
— Virginia State Parks (@VAStateParks) March 14, 2020
state park systems still open for camping
Most state park systems continue to promote camping as a way to get outside while maintaining social distance. In many cases, offices are closed, and check-ins occur online. Cabins remain available in some states and not in others (more cleaning required). In almost every state, guided tours and activities have been postponed or temporarily eliminated. Several have closed swimming pools.
Most are taking extra precautions to sanitize common areas, while others have closed comfort stations. South Carolina (open) specifies that while restrooms and other indoors areas will be sanitized, “disinfection protocols DO NOT include high-touch outdoor surfaces like playgrounds or picnic tables.”
Tennessee State Parks remain open and free of charge for outdoor recreation as the #COVID19 outbreak intensifies nationwide. https://t.co/HOnvPGJaLJ
— Kiara L. Green (@KiaraGreen_TFP) March 18, 2020
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia (one park closed for COVID-19 isolation)
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (three parks closed for COVID-19 isolation)
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
state parks open for day use only – no overnight camping
In these states, parks are open for day use (may have limited hours), but overnight stays have been suspended. Interpretive programs and group events are largely canceled through April or mid-May. Remember, that many private campgrounds are continuing operations.
Temporary camping closures announced for Oregon state parks (April 3-May 8), forests, and wildlife areas. OPRD, @ORDeptForestry & @myODFW will suspend camping to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. https://t.co/rg3eOhyKd5 #ORcampinghalt pic.twitter.com/fsuBKsVVkm
— Oregon State Parks (@ORStateParks) March 19, 2020
- California
- Florida
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Wisconsin
state parks completely closed for now
These states have completely closed state parks to visitors.
UPDATE: All state parks in #Hawaii are closed. That includes Kaʻena State Park (below) on #Oahu. Find out more at @dlnr. #coronavirusupdates 📷: @thedailydish pic.twitter.com/p9yKQie1Xh
— HAWAI’I Magazine (@HAWAIIMagazine) March 18, 2020
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- New Mexico
- Oregon