Army Corps Of Engineers Parks Are Closing?

[DallasSteve]

I just checked into an Army Corps Of Engineers park in Alabama and the lady at the desk told me they got orders today that the system is shutting down. She said I can stay tonight, but everyone must leave tomorrow. I'm searching for news on this. Does anyone have a link? It figures. Just as soon as I join the party, they shut it down. Now where do all the full-timers go? Walmart? Maybe a million of us can camp out at the Pentagon.

[agesilaus]

DallasSteve wrote:

agesilaus wrote:
Not to be snarky but it too me literally 10 seconds to find this:
"Programs Cancelled and Indoor Visitor Facilities Closed
Alert 1 , Severity ,closure ,,Programs Cancelled and Indoor Visitor Facilities Closed
Following guidance from the CDC and public health officials, all ranger-led programs have been cancelled and several facilities are temporarily closed as of March 18. Updates posted here and on social media."

Just highlight Ft Pickens, right click, select google search for.... and shazam! The first item was the above.

Not to be snarky, but that may not have been there when he or I looked. This is changing by the hoThur.

That could be true this is the site: Fort Pickens

[jaycocamprs]

try this
Gulf Islands closures hotline (850) 934-2656.
Gulf Islands closures

[DallasSteve]

agesilaus wrote:
Not to be snarky but it too me literally 10 seconds to find this:
"Programs Cancelled and Indoor Visitor Facilities Closed
Alert 1 , Severity ,closure ,,Programs Cancelled and Indoor Visitor Facilities Closed
Following guidance from the CDC and public health officials, all ranger-led programs have been cancelled and several facilities are temporarily closed as of March 18. Updates posted here and on social media."

Just highlight Ft Pickens, right click, select google search for.... and shazam! The first item was the above.

Not to be snarky, but that may not have been there when he or I looked. This is changing by the hour.

[garmp]

I'm sorry, but I'm lost I goggled my self silly and can't find anything. What is the url of the site your are referring to? Sorry for being the dummy, but I'm lost.

[agesilaus]

Not to be snarky but it too me literally 10 seconds to find this:
"Programs Cancelled and Indoor Visitor Facilities Closed
Alert 1 , Severity ,closure ,,Programs Cancelled and Indoor Visitor Facilities Closed
Following guidance from the CDC and public health officials, all ranger-led programs have been cancelled and several facilities are temporarily closed as of March 18. Updates posted here and on social media."

Just highlight Ft Pickens, right click, select google search for.... and shazam! The first item was the above.

[DallasSteve]

garmp wrote:
Anyone hear about Ft. Pickens? Are they closing? Wouldn't doubt it. Finally got a mid May reservation (the first of the year) and they would close on us. Been chomping at the bit ever since. I heard that Florida State Parks are closed. Gotta find out about Ft. Pickens
How can I find out, other than calling?
If any one hears, please post.

thanks

Florida has cancelled camping at state parks for the next 60 days. I wasn't going to be in Florida, but this will drive a lot of people to Texas, if it stays open. I may have to move into an extended stay motel somewhere.

Florida Cancels Campground Reservations

[garmp]

Anyone hear about Ft. Pickens? Are they closing? Wouldn't doubt it. Finally got a mid May reservation (the first of the year) and they would close on us. Been chomping at the bit ever since. I heard that Florida State Parks are closed. Gotta find out about Ft. Pickens
How can I find out, other than calling?
If any one hears, please post.

thanks

[tommy_g]

The Corps of Engineers West Point Lake has closed all campgrounds until May 1st and refunded all reservation fees. I am concerned that state parks are soon to follow. I can understand the recommended precautions and procedures for mitigating this danger to the US and the whole world. As a senior and part of the most vulnerable group, I am complying to all of them. We have cancelled our local club camp outs(with meetings) and all of our national organization's rallys. This all makes sense.
That being said: Closing campgrounds to individual campers is just ridiculous. Where else is there such separation from folks per the recommendations?

[VoodooMedicineM]

What a shame. Corp parks are the best, every one is on water.

[DallasSteve]

I still don't see anything on recreation.gov about a shutdown.
This may just be one region, one park, or one employee who got bad info. I see this official release shutting down some facilities in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, but it's not completely clear to me if campgrounds are being closed.

Army COE Announcement

[dodge_guy]

More mass panic! Hopefully it comes to an end soon.

[NatParkJunkie]

DallasSteve wrote:
I just checked into an Army Corps Of Engineers park in Alabama and the lady at the desk told me they got orders today that the system is shutting down. She said I can stay tonight, but everyone must leave tomorrow. I'm searching for news on this. Does anyone have a link? It figures. Just as soon as I join the party, they shut it down. Now where do all the full-timers go? Walmart? Maybe a million of us can camp out at the Pentagon.

There were mentions about using some walmart parking lots for drive through covid19 testing sites. Something to be mindful of before pulling out the lawn chairs.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Oh poop!!

This just came up when I checked Johnson Creek on Lake O' the Pines

Please be aware potential park closures may occur. Updated information for closures can be found here.

Maybe an individual lake thing. Nothing similar yet on Wright Patman, Lavon or Hickory Creek.

Lake Texoma doesn't officially open CG until April or May.

[DallasSteve]

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
Recreation.gov is showing all campsites at Gunter Hill as unavailable once the current reservation ends.

Next available dates to book a site are Saturday May 2.

I'm worried about this because I have some COE bookings in April in Texas; however,

1) I've seen this type thing several times over the past three years as the Corps of Engineers has been able to find anyone willing to take the park host positions at the rates they are willing to pay.

2) Every Corps District has a great bit of authority over how they operate their CG, whether or not to close campgrounds or to open them.

Isaac Creek - in the same district has the posted as an alert on Recreation.gov.

Jennings Ferry Campground is closed due to flooding damage at the RV dump station.

This location is closed. Affected reservations have been cancelled and refunds have been issued. Local managers are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.

But I do not see that on Fort Worth District campgrounds in Texas, yet.

That's some good research. Maybe it's just this campground or just this region. I made a COE reservation tonight for Friday in Texarkana. But, it could be they will cancel that and refund my money. Maybe they just haven't shut down the reservation system yet.

[GREGORYJ]

I received these emails from Alabama and Texas State Parks:

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXPWD/bulletins/28102ca

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ALDNR/bulletins/2810bb8