Park & Campground Closures

[Tal_IL]

I see several states are closing parks and campgrounds. Has anyone seen any info on U.S. Forrest Service campgrounds? I don't see any notices posted, but park websites aren't very current.

We have our annual trip to Shawnee National Forrest planned for late April.

[goducks10]

dodge guy wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
I believe you all need to rethink your travel plans, not only for your own good but for the good of others. This is not they year to travel anywhere, especially Interstate travel. Common sense should tell you to stay home and 'backyard camp'.

Why travel restrictions are being imposed, because people exhibit no common sense. People today want to do what makes them 'feel good' and disregard the welfare of others. My point is... Stay home and stay alive.

This virus has freaked many people out. And the fact is it's not as bad as it's being made out to be. People get it just like the flu. The flu is passed among everyone just like Covid. You may already have it and not even know and may never know because it doesn't affect most people the same way. It's mainly very bad for the elderly and infants or people with respiratory issues. It's going to get passed around he country and then fade off and come back next year. By then there will most likely be a shot for it. So those of you hiding in your bunkers are doing more harm than good! And our local, state and federal government aren't doing the country any favors!

Thats what Italy thought. It didn't work out very well for them.

[ppine]

In Today's world, forget showers and outhouses. I will just spray the picnic table maybe and live outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.

[dodge_guy]

SidecarFlip wrote:
I believe you all need to rethink your travel plans, not only for your own good but for the good of others. This is not they year to travel anywhere, especially Interstate travel. Common sense should tell you to stay home and 'backyard camp'.

Why travel restrictions are being imposed, because people exhibit no common sense. People today want to do what makes them 'feel good' and disregard the welfare of others. My point is... Stay home and stay alive.

This virus has freaked many people out. And the fact is it's not as bad as it's being made out to be. People get it just like the flu. The flu is passed among everyone just like Covid. You may already have it and not even know and may never know because it doesn't affect most people the same way. It's mainly very bad for the elderly and infants or people with respiratory issues. It's going to get passed around he country and then fade off and come back next year. By then there will most likely be a shot for it. So those of you hiding in your bunkers are doing more harm than good! And our local, state and federal government aren't doing the country any favors!

[goducks10]

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
How many people use the showers and restrooms at parks?
How many use the visitor center?
I know one St park in Oregon you have to go into a registration building vs a kiosk to register.

Yes those risk factors could easily be alleviated by closing the restrooms, and doing self registration.

But you still need someone doing cleanup and maintenance.

We've volunteered at some state parks, and I know of no state park system that has the staffing to do the deep cleaning such public places need to have done possibly several times a day depending upon the local number of cases.

A highly mobile population moving every few days, a nightmare for trying to contain the spread of anything.

Just see how hard it is to keep people from moving firewood, and infecting trees with invasive species.

Anyone hear of zebra mussels 20 years ago?

Anyone know of a watershed in between the Allegheny and Rocky Mountains not infested with them today?

I can see many valid reasons to close parks.

Don't like it.

Commercial parks are even more at risk because of crowding together necessary to stay profitable. And I've seen nothing that would help park owners deal with financial loss from closing or people canceling.

Here's what Oregon State Parks is doing.
https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=v.dsp_featureArticle&articleId=272

[goducks10]

Hammerboy wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Closing state parks makes no sense to me.

Does to me actually. All about limiting exposure where people congregate.

We are self contained and dont use the bath houses any way. We are no less safe camping at the state parks than we are staying at home. If your worried about the campgrounds they better shut down the grocery stores where it gets real ugly. We could have government workers deliver food in their tyvek suits and gas masks

Dan

Agree. We plan on camping once the weather gets nicer. We go to dry campgrounds and never use any facilities at hookup CG's.

[Tal_IL]

My upcoming trip is the annual turkey camp trip. No large gatherings. Will only be around about 6 other guys that I'll be around, regardless. But, it might not matter. Several of the guys are cops and just got the word that all time off is cancelled until further notice.

[2oldman]

mleekamp wrote:
What gets me in IL, is that most state parks here are CLOSED ANYWAY until mid-April or later. I mean, some you can drive thru, go hiking, but no camping until mid-April or later.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Who goes camping in IL in March?

[mleekamp]

I posted the IDNR link earlier. What gets me in IL, is that most state parks here are CLOSED ANYWAY until mid-April or later. I mean, some you can drive thru, go hiking, but no camping until mid-April or later. So I tend to agree closing them makes no sense as attendance is low now anyway. And for us, a weekend or long weekend (memorial day / labor day) of camping, we just use our own equipment and not the pit toilets/showers/etc.

From my own personal perspective, it hurts that we moved from a perfectly good TT to a new Class C last year, and my girls went to Space Camp in Huntsville AL where we camped that week with them. That was it. 1st and only usage. This year, we have 2 weeks planned for Colorado, in addition to local IL state parks. I get the feeling my usage may be low again. I hope not, but I'm bracing for it. At least it's only camping reservations (made in Jan for Cheyenne Mtn SP) and not airline tix / etc.

[2oldman]

goducks10 wrote:
How many people use the showers and restrooms at parks?

Well, that's true, just not me.

The worst thing I've seen so far is those thousands of people standing shoulder to shoulder in an airport waiting to be screened. Woulda been better just to let them all in.

[Hammerboy]

SidecarFlip wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Closing state parks makes no sense to me.

Does to me actually. All about limiting exposure where people congregate.

We are self contained and dont use the bath houses any way. We are no less safe camping at the state parks than we are staying at home. If your worried about the campgrounds they better shut down the grocery stores where it gets real ugly. We could have government workers deliver food in their tyvek suits and gas masks

Dan

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

goducks10 wrote:
How many people use the showers and restrooms at parks?
How many use the visitor center?
I know one St park in Oregon you have to go into a registration building vs a kiosk to register.

Yes those risk factors could easily be alleviated by closing the restrooms, and doing self registration.

But you still need someone doing cleanup and maintenance.

We've volunteered at some state parks, and I know of no state park system that has the staffing to do the deep cleaning such public places need to have done possibly several times a day depending upon the local number of cases.

A highly mobile population moving every few days, a nightmare for trying to contain the spread of anything.

Just see how hard it is to keep people from moving firewood, and infecting trees with invasive species.

Anyone hear of zebra mussels 20 years ago?

Anyone know of a watershed in between the Allegheny and Rocky Mountains not infested with them today?

I can see many valid reasons to close parks.

Don't like it.

Commercial parks are even more at risk because of crowding together necessary to stay profitable. And I've seen nothing that would help park owners deal with financial loss from closing or people canceling.

[Crowe]

I believe you all need to rethink your travel plans, not only for your own good but for the good of others. This is not they year to travel anywhere, especially Interstate travel. Common sense should tell you to stay home and 'backyard camp'.

Rethink for the next two months or so but I wouldn't cancel beyond that. No one knows what's going to happen-to crash the economy further before having all the facts is not a wise decision. Wait and see then act accordingly.

[ppine]

The outdoors is where people need to be spending their time now. Fresh air, sunshine and UV light. Closing campgrounds and Parks makes no sense.

[goducks10]

2oldman wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Closing state parks makes no sense to me.

Does to me actually. All about limiting exposure where people congregate.

Yes, but people aren't in an enclosed space sitting next to others like in sporting events or restaurants.

How many people use the showers and restrooms at parks?
How many use the visitor center?
I know one St park in Oregon you have to go into a registration building vs a kiosk to register.

Yes those risk factors could easily be alleviated by closing the restrooms, and doing self registration.

But you still need someone doing cleanup and maintenance.

[2oldman]

SidecarFlip wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Closing state parks makes no sense to me.

Does to me actually. All about limiting exposure where people congregate.

Yes, but people aren't in an enclosed space sitting next to others like in sporting events or restaurants.