Gradual Reopening of National Parks in the US

A number of national parks across the US are gradually opening following weeks of shutdowns, but much remains to be decided on how to avoid crowds and keep everyone safe.

Current Status of National Parks

Some state parks reopened as early as May 2 under the Executive Order No. 133, which allowed county governments to determine whether parks and forests could open to the public for passive recreation. This includes activities such as boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. However, the rules for national parks are different. Each park is opening under its own timeframe, and many of the plans remain vague for now.

Park-Specific Updates

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone opened three entrances in Wyoming on May 18 and plans to open the remaining access points in Montana on June 1. However, camping is prohibited for the time being.

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park will reopen on June 1, but some access points will only be available to pedestrians. Meanwhile, the Grand Canyon, which reopened briefly on Memorial Day weekend, will reopen daily from June 5. The South Rim’s Mather campground will be open for campers, while the North Rim campground is expected to open on July 1, according to the LA Times.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is accepting visitors now; however, all but one of its campgrounds remain off-limits. Rocky Mountain National Park will reopen on June 4 through an online ticketed system to manage crowds. Visitors can reserve time slots online, with roughly 13,500 visitors allowed per day, according to the park.

Other Parks Reopening Early

The Gulf Islands National Seashore, along with Everglades National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, all reopened some of their trails to the public as early as May 9.

Guidelines for Visitor Safety

The National Park Service has requested the public to recreate safely and responsibly. Visitors are advised to:

• Park only in designated areas.
• Pack out everything you bring into a park.
• Plan visits during times other than the busiest part of the day.
• Maintain social distance from other visitors.
• If encountering a crowded trailhead or overlook, seek another location to recreate.

Stay Informed

Information regarding the opening status of each National Park will be available on a case-by-case basis, with resources accessible on the NPS website.

This article was first published on May 7, 2020, and updated on May 29, 2020.