Most of us are itching to get back outside and enjoy some of the fantastic Oregon springtime weather, and with recent announcements detailing plans to slowly reopen state-run parks and facilities, that ideal is nearing reality.
Last week, Oregon Governor Kate Brown revealed her phased plan to reopen parks and recreation facilities around the state on a county-by-county basis. This plan will see many checkpoints that must be passed in order to move forward.
So far, a few notable parks have been reopened to public access, operating on the assumption that patrons remain safe and distance themselves from one another. However, the majority of the state remains closed, and a few lie in the middle with mostly restricted facilities.
Here is the updated list of state parks that are currently open to the public again:
- White River Falls
- Hat Rock Park
- Bald Peak
- Peter Skene Ogden
- Emigrant Springs
- Blue Mountain Forest
- Wallowa Lake
- Unity Lake
- Clyde Holliday
- Pete French Round Barn
- Booth State Corridor
- Tub Springs
- Casey State Recreation Site
- Golden State Heritage
Rules and regulations on the Oregon State Parks website reads that coastal parks (regulated by the parks department) are to remain closed until further notice. Camping in all parks will remain closed until at least May 25.
“We know these last six weeks has seemed longer, but your health is important to us,” says Lisa Sumption, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Director in a statement regarding the state’s phased plan to reopen. “It is true outdoor recreation boosts our mental and physical health, but parks concentrate people in a community, and we have to do this carefully if it’s going to work.”
For more information on closures and regulations, check out the Oregon State Parks page regarding coronavirus updates, or view the interactive maps of park statuses.
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