National and State Parks Closed to America Due to Coronavirus

Many national and state parks are closed to the public, as America has made serious changes in daily life to slow the spread of coronavirus.The National Park Service closed at least 15 parking spaces and changed operations in many other countries. Changes include closing toilets and visitor centers, or just keeping walking areas and paths open.

The CDC advises people to stay 6 feet away from others to avoid possible infection. National and state parks that have closed because of the pandemic include the following, though visitors should check individual park websites before trying to visit:

National Parks and Forests

  • Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is closed until the next announcement.
  • Glacier National Park in Montana was closed to all visitors until the next announcement. Only US Highway 2 within the park boundaries remains open.
  • The Angeles National Forest in Southern California covers 23 trails and 19 roads starting April 4. The closure restricts access to more than half of 700,000 acres.
  • Arches National Park in Utah is closed to everyone on March 28. All vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians are prohibited from entering any parking area, including camping grounds, trails, mountain areas and roads.
  • Canyonlands National Park in Utah is closed to all visitors until the next announcement on March 28.
  • Fort Pulaski National Monument in Savannah, Georgia is closed until the next announcement.
  • Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is closed to visitors until the next announcement.
  • Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is closed until the next announcement.
  • The Statue of Liberty National Monument in New York and Ellis Island are temporarily closed.
  • Yosemite National Park campsites in California are closed until March 31.
  • Pearl Harbor National Monument in Hawaii is temporarily closed.
  • Joshua Tree National Park in California closed the visitor center, campgrounds and roads to all vehicle traffic.
  • The Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument in New Mexico is closed until the next announcement.
  • Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego is closed until April 10.
  • Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia is closed until the next announcement.
  • Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve in Kansas has closed its buildings and visitor center until the next announcement.
  • The southernmost part of Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina is closed to the public.
  • Yellowstone National Park, which lies in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, is closed to all visitors until the next announcement.
  • Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is closed until the next announcement.

California

California State Parks have temporarily closed all campgrounds.

Florida

All 175 state parks in Florida will be closed indefinitely beginning March 23.

Hawaii

State parks and facilities are closed until further notice.

Illinois

All Illinois state parks and wildlife areas are temporarily closed. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said it will work with governor’s office and the state Department of Public Health to determine when parks should reopen.

North Carolina

Several state parks in North Carolina including Crowders Mountain, Lake Waccamaw, Hanging Rock, Raven Rock, Fort Macon and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area are closed until further notice.

New Mexico

All New Mexico state parks will be closed through April 9.

Oregon

All state parks in Oregon are closed effective March 23.

Pennsylvania

Facilities at all state parks, including visitor centers, restrooms and campgrounds, will be closed until March 31. Trails, lakes and roads will be remain open to the public.

South Carolina

State parks will close for day use March 25 and March 26 to allow staff time to make decisions on how to maintain the park and keep employees safe. The state is still allowing visitors with camping reservations to check in.

Washington

All state park campgrounds are closed through April 30.

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