Nevada's Cathedral Gorge State Park closes to help slow COVID-19 spread
To protect the health and safety of park visitors and staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Cathedral Gorge State Park, including Miller Point, will be fully closed, effective April 16, until further notice. The park will be closed to the public for all activities, including camping and day-use.
Nevada Division of State Parks is actively following the Governor’s social distancing mandate. To prevent crowding and surges in visitation that would undermine public health directives, we are closely monitoring visitation throughout the state and will make adjustments as necessary to ensure the health and safety of park visitors and staff.
Cathedral Gorge State Park is located about 2.5 hours northeast of Las Vegas on Highway 93. Located near three southeastern Nevada towns — Caliente, Pioche and Panaca — Cathedral Gorge is among Nevada’s largest pocket of parks, all within a 70 mile radius, according to Travel Nevada.
To date, Nevada State Parks has implemented multiple safety measures in response to the COVID-19 health crisis: Closure of all State Park museums, visitor centers, gift shops, offices, campgrounds, some boat launches, as well as the full closure of all Las Vegas Area State Parks and Rye Patch State Recreation Area.
In addition, to protect firefighters, first responders, communities, and natural resources, state and federal land management agencies have enacted Nevada-wide fire restrictions. These restrictions apply to all of Nevada’s State Parks. More information on the statewide fire restrictions can be found at http://dcnr.nv.gov/news/nevada-land-management-agencies-announce-early-f....
All annual permits that were set to expire during the state of emergency will be extended for 90 days.
If you do visit one of the Nevada State Parks that remain open, we ask that you practice responsible recreation. This means: separating yourself and honoring the social distance of others, avoiding crowded areas such as trailheads, and keeping parks and facilities clean by following the principles of Leave No Trace. We also recommend you bring soap for hand washing and hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol in case water is not available.
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% alcohol
- Limit contact with others while exploring the great outdoors
- Most importantly, stay home when you are sick in order to avoid exposing others
View the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/parks-rec/visitors.html
Please visit parks.nv.gov for updates, follow us on Facebook @NVStateParks, 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.
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. We are working to keep our parks open, provided we are able to do so safely, in a manner that protects the public and our staff and will take steps as necessary to ensure that social distancing requirements are met.
Given our collective efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19, Nevada State Parks will offer only limited day-use service at some state parks, 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.
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