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More Campgrounds, Facilities, And Programs Closing Across National Park System

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You can still gaze at Crater Lake, and snowshoe or ski in the park, but indoor visitor facilities are closed/NPS file

You can still gaze at Crater Lake, and snowshoe or ski in the park, but indoor visitor facilities are closed/NPS file

More campgrounds, park facilities, and even river trips were being canceled across the National Park System as efforts continued to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Yosemite National Park closed the only two of its campgrounds that had been open, Upper Pines and Camp 4. Previously, the park had shut down its visitor centers, museums, campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, and shuttles.

At Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah, concessionaire Aramark suspended all boat tours and river rafting float tours until further notice. Food was to be available for takeout only at the Driftwood Lounge, located at the Wahweap Marina. The Wind Coffee Bar located in the lobby at Lake Powell Resort remained open. The Rainbow Room located in the Lake Powell Resort was closed. The Anasazi Restaurant located at the Bullfrog Marina was offering takeaway service only.

At Antelope Point Marina, located on the Navajo Reservation near Page, Arizona, boat tours were suspended until April 1. Beginning March 22, boat charters were being suspended until the end of the month. The Jádí Tó oh - Restaurant at the Point was closed to the public. The NRA also was urging visitors to Horseshoe Bend Overlook to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by practicing social distancing and avoiding congregations of 10 or more people.

Crater Lake National Park officials in Oregon closed the Steel Visitor Center at park headquarters, and canceled ranger-guided snowshoe walks. It was still possible to visit the park and go for a snowshoe walk or cross-country ski on your own. The Rim Café and Gift Shop was to remain open daily. Food was available for take-out only and was not to be consumed in the building.

In South Carolina, the visitor centers at Ninety Six National Historic Site, Cowpens National Battlefield, Kings Mountain National Military Park were closed until further notice. All park programs were canceled. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, the grounds and restrooms at each of the sites were to remain open to provide healthy options for the public to use the trails.

The Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in Missouri closed its visitor center, historic buildings, and in-person programs were canceled until further notice.

In New Jersey, the Thomas Edison National Historical Park closed, and the park visitor center, museum, and historic buildings at Morristown National Historical Park were closed. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, the park grounds, parking lots and restroom facilities at Jockey Hollow were to remain open.

Padre Island National Seashore in Texas closed the Malaquite Beach Visitor Center, and all ranger-guided programs were canceled.

In Kentucky and Tennessee, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area closed its visitor centers, and canceled all its ranger programs. Bandy Creek, and Alum Ford campgrounds were open and sites were available first come, first served. Payment could be made on-site. Backcountry reservations were only available on-line.

“We realize these changes have a big impact on the visiting public, and the economic livelihood of local businesses and employees,” said Big South Fork Superintendent Niki Stephanie Nicholas. “With restrictions being implemented across the nation, these actions are necessary for the health of park visitors and employees. We appreciate the support and understanding of the American public.” 

Fort Larned National Historic Site in Kansas closed its visitor center, which contained the park's museum. The remainder of the park grounds, including most historic buildings, were to be open during the regular hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for self -guided tours and walks on the Nature-History Trail. Restrooms in the parking lot and picnic area were to be available during the hours of operation.

Chamizal National Memorial in Texas has closed its Cultural Center, including visitor center information desk, park store, museum, and theater, as well as postponed all programming and events until further notice. 

At Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado, the visitor center was closed. Rangers were to be available at the entrance to the visitor center to provide access to outdoor exhibits and trails in that part of the park. The picnic area and outdoor restrooms adjacent to the visitor center were to remain open. The grounds of the Hornbek Homestead, the Barksdale Picnic area, and all other park trails were also to remain open.

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Comments

Grand Canyon National Park Lodges is shutting down all operations for the next two months. They plan to reopen for Memorial Day weekend.


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