Vermont State Parks COVID-19 Updates
Vermont State Park Status Updates as of 4/2/20:
March 30 - In accordance with the Governor Scott’s Addendum to Executive Order 01-20 on the COVID-19 outbreak, Vermont State Parks will not be accepting new reservations until further notice.
You still may get information, change reservations and cancel reservations by calling our reservation call center at 1-888-409-7579 Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
At this time, Vermont State Parks are still in the “off-season”, with no running water, restrooms or staff available but are still open for your health and recreational enjoyment. We do expect parks to be operational this upcoming season, but we are anticipating some possible changes to park services.
The Governor will be reassessing the pause on advance reservations in a couple of weeks, and we will keep you informed of further changes. Please visit our COVID-19 updates page for the most recent information and Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for information and inspiration.
View Governor Scott’s full Executive Order Declaration of State of Emergency in Response to COVID-19 and National Guard Call Out (EO 01-20) regarding COVID-19: https://governor.vermont.gov/content/declaration-state-emergency-response-covid-19-and-national-guard-call-out-eo-01-20
View Information on Recreating in the Outdoors Responsibly during the COVID-19 outbreak: http://vtstateparks.blogspot.com/2020/03/outdoor-recreation-in-vermont-healthy.html
View Vermont Department of Health’s COVID-19 pages: https://www.healthvermont.gov/response/infectious-disease/2019-novel-coronavirus
March 25 - Off season camping in Vermont State Parks has been suspended by the Governor’s Executive Order that went into effect on March 25, 2020 at 5 pm to “Stay Home, Stay Safe.” Thank you for your understanding. State parks are open for day visits; please take note:
- Recreate only if you
feel well & have not been exposed to someone who has tested positive
for COVID-19
- Practice social
distancing
- Avoid contact with
common shared surfaces such as playgrounds & picnic tables as surfaces
are not being cleaned or sanitized.
Advice from Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation - Outdoor Recreation and COVID-19
During the current COVID-19 public health crisis, getting outdoors close to home and connecting with nature is a way to help maintain our mental and physical health. Engaging in our favorite recreation activity –hiking, camping, fishing, biking, hunting or whatever – does wonders for our health and well-being. However, we have to be smart about getting outside in this public health emergency.
As more parts of Vermont see closures and recommendations for social distancing, we all need to find ways to manage the stress and uncertainty. While working from home and with children out of school, unable to go about our normal routines or see our aging relatives, a daily walk, run or hike can be important to your physical and mental health. Just practice social distancing while doing your favorite activity.
No matter how you enjoy the outdoors, we urge you to practice effective “social distancing” and other measures to help stop the spread of the coronavirus and keep you, your family and your community safe:
- Go out only if you’re feeling healthy.
- Don’t carpool with non-household members.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting, including the outdoors.
- Engage in low-risk activities; now is not the time to try something extreme and end up in the hospital, taxing an already taxed health care system.
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If those aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs, handrails, and playground equipment.
- Please leash your dog! They are members of your household and need to keep their social distance as well (and most standard leashes are 6 feet in length).
Right now, all state parks are free and open for your use
and we invite you to visit a Vermont State Park near you to take advantage of
the rejuvenating and healing effects of spending time in nature.
For the latest information on COVID-19 in Vermont, visit the following:
Vermont Department of Health
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