All campgrounds in North Carolina have been closed until at least May 15. | Photo Courtesy of morguefile.com
All campgrounds in North Carolina have been closed until at least May 15. | Photo Courtesy of morguefile.com
The U.S. Forest Service joined the long list of agencies in March that closed or scaled back public operations to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The federal agency said on March 22 that it closed campgrounds in North Carolina until at least Friday, May 15, when officials will reevaluate the decision.
The announced closings included concessionaire-operated campgrounds and all day-use areas in those campgrounds, according to the agency's statement.
"By closing campsites and group recreation sites, the U.S. Forest Service is taking necessary measures to safeguard the health of employees and the public," the agency said in the statement. "Please remember to review current recommendations from the CDC and focus on recreating safely while protecting yourself, Forest Service employees and our volunteers."
No special-use permits are being issued in-person at any state forest or other N.C. Forest Service locations, the federal agency said.
All events, educational and group programming were canceled or postponed, DuPont Forest spokesman Bruce MacDonald said.
Anyone with reservations at a state park will receive a text or email regarding any changes to their bookings, the U.S. Forest Service said.
Some Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trail systems are also closed until at least the mid-May date, according to the U.S. Forest Service. These include Croatan National Forest — Black Swamp OHV Area; Uwharrie National Forest — Badin Lake OHV Area; Pisgah National Forest — Brown Mountain OHV Area; and Nantahala National Forest — Wayehutta OHV Area.
The U.S. Forest Service urges people to continue outdoor activities while following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's social-distancing guidelines.
The closure of many businesses across the nation meant more people were either working from home or lost their job, creating more time for recreation. Limited activities drove more people outdoors and many sought relaxation at local and state parks, the Citizen-Times reported on March 24. Parking lots at state and local parks were overflowing and trails were crowded, as people seemingly ignored the CDC’s guideline about social distancing, the publication reported.
Buncombe County closed its parks on March 18.
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