Nevada closes 2 state parks due to coronavirus threat
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 03/30/2020 - 4:54pm
To protect public health and help slow the spread of COVID-19, Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park and Rye Patch State Recreation Area will be fully closed effective Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
Closure of the two State Parks includes camping, day-use, and boating (Rye Patch) until further notice. All other Nevada State Parks remain open for day-use only, with limited services, and day-use fees still apply. Each individual State Park’s status is subject to change based on the ability to provide services and maintain social distancing and other public health guidelines and requirements.
Nevada State Parks is actively supporting Governor Sisolak’s Stay Home for Nevada Initiative, including closing all State Park Campgrounds, Museums, Visitor Centers, Gift Shops, and Offices, as well as canceling or postponing interpretive programs and special events.
Nevada’s State Parks play an important role in the lives of all Nevadans and visitors by providing a restorative, natural setting that promotes physical and emotional well-being. However, given our collective efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19, Nevada State Parks will offer only limited day-use service for the time being, and we urge Nevadans to take part in “flattening the curve” by participating in hyperlocal recreation, such as backyard activities, neighborhood walks and local bicycle rides.
If you do visit one of the Nevada State Parks that is open, we recommend you bring soap for hand washing and hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol when water is not available.
The Governor’s mandate on social distancing requires by law that you refrain from gathering in groups larger than 10 people while visiting a Nevada State Park. Please also visit the Nevada State Parks website for further information and additional updates on State Park operations, which may change on short notice as events warrant.
The CDC also recommends the following precautions:
— Avoid close contact with sick people
— Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
— Wash your hands with soap and water when possible for at least 20 seconds
— Bring soap and hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol
— Limit contact with others while exploring the great outdoors
— Most importantly, stay home when you are sick in order to avoid exposing others
To purchase Nevada State Parks annual permits, please visit the annual permits web page here for information on how to apply by mail.
Please visit parks.nv.gov for updates, follow us on Facebook here and thank you for your understanding in support of Governor Sisolak’s Stay Home for Nevada initiative.
In the case of an emergency, please call 911. All other inquiries call (775) 684-2793.
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