These National Parks are Open! What You Need to Know When Visiting During Summer 2020

 

Summer is officially here! RVers across the country are itching to begin their summer road trips and nothing says "American Summer" quite like RVing to our National Parks. While some parks are still closed due to Covid-19, the national parks service has begun reopening their gates across the U.S. Below you will find a list of the National Parks that are currently open, as well as camping options and rules to know before you go to keep yourself and fellow adventurers safe. Happy trails!

 



 

USA NATIONAL PARKS
While states across the nation are opening back up, we figured you might be itching to get your RV back on the road. If you're following CDC guidelines and heading out into nature over the next few weeks, below is a list of the National Parks that will be open. NPS.GOV has asked that before visiting a park, you check the park status (click here) for any additional updates.

 



 

THESE NATIONAL PARKS ARE OPEN:
- Badlands National Park:
Trails, campgrounds and roads in north unit are open. South end is closed, amenities (including Visitor Center) are closed.
- Biscayne National Park:
Kayak launch and restrooms at Convoy Point are open on a limited basis. Boca Chita, Elliot and Adams Keys are also open on a limited basis. Camping is currently not open.
- Bryce Canyon National Park:
Park is open with Sunset Campground open by reservation only. North campgrounds remain closed. Amenities limited.
- Capitol Reef National Park:
The park is fully open while the Visitor Center and Gifford House are operating with social distancing measures in place.
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park:
Camping is closed with limited amenities. Call the hotline before visiting 440-546-5960 for day-to-day updates. Drinking water is NOT currently available in the park.
- Denali National Park:
Denali and Eielson Visitor Centers are open. The Murie Science and Learning Center will not be open for summer 2020.
- Dry Tortugas National Park:
The park is open with guided tours and services operating at reduced capacities.
- Everglades National Park:
The park is open with guided tours and services operating at reduced capacities. Wilderness camping is open.
- Gates of the Arctic National Park:
Camping is open while many amenities are limited. Brooks Range Aviation has suspended all operations for the rest of 2020.
- Glacier Bay National Park:
Backcountry camping is available while many services have been canceled for the 2020 season. Check NPS.gov for more information.
- Grand Canyon National Park:
The Grand Canyon South Rim is currently open. The North Rim is temporarily closed.
- Grand Teton National Park:
Some facilities and services have opened including multiple Visitor Centers, campgrounds and restrooms. Backcountry is now open.
- Great Basin National Park:
Visitor Centers and some campgrounds remain closed within the park while other campgrounds, restrooms, trails, cafes and park roads are open. Check NPS.gov for specific campground information.
- Great Sand Dunes National Park:
Loops 1 and 2 of the campgrounds are open as well as backpacking. The Visitor Center is closed.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
Cades Cove and Elkmont campgrounds are open, with Deep Creek campground opening June 22, 2020.
- Hot Springs National Park:
Trails and information desks are no open as well as Gulpha Gorge campground. The Fordyce Visitor Center and Administration building remain closed.
- Indiana Dunes National Park:
Dunewood campground is open while portions of Lake Front Drive and Central beach are closed. Restrooms are currently open throughout the park.
- Joshua Tree National Park:
All park entrances as well as roads and parking lots are currently open. Camping is available at all campgrounds but are first-come first-served until September 4, 2020.
- Katmai National Park:
Backcountry camping is the only camping currently available at the national park. Brooks camp will reopen (at the earliest date) on July 1, 2020. Check NPS.gov for daily updates.
- Kenai Fjords National Park:
Exit Glacier campground remains closed but Exit Glacier area trails now open.
- Lake Clark National Park:
Hope Creek campsite and the outdoor areas at the Richard Proenneke cabin are open while Dick Proenneke's cabin will remain closed for summer 2020.
- Mammoth Cave National Park:
The Green River Ferry is currently closed.
- Mount Rainier National Park:
Backcountry camping is open. The parks Visitor Centers and lodges remain closed. Summer roads that are normally open this time of year are open, along with associated trailheads and restrooms.
- Olympic National Park:
Most park roads are open while the Makah Reservation, Quileute Reservation, Second Beach Trailhead and Shi Shi Beach Trailhead are closed. Devil's Punchbowl is only accessible by boat.
- Pinnacles National Park:
Park is open from 7:30 am - 8 pm daily. Nature and Visitor Centers, shuttle services and the cave trails are all closed.
- Redwood National Park:
Local travel is only recommended at this time. Visitor Centers, backcountry camping sites and campgrounds are currently closed.
- Saguaro National Park:
All roads, picnic areas and hiking trails are open. Visitor information and restrooms are available on Visitor Center patios from 8 am to noon daily.
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park:
The park is open while all Visitor Centers and Campgrounds remain closed.
- Voyageurs National Park:
The park is open but all Visitor Centers are currently closed until further notice.
- Wind Cave National Park:
Limited operations running throughout the park. Camping Loops A and B are open.
- Yellowstone National Park:
Limited operations with camping and amenities limited. Grand Loop Road will be accessible for day use, excluding the segment between Canyon and Tower.
- Zion National Park:
Limited operations (shuttles are not running and parking is extremely limited). Kolob Canyons is closed.

NOTE: Some National Parks have opened and quickly re-closed due to overcrowding. This list is accurate as of Friday, June 19, 2020. Click here to double-check the status of your park before you hop in your RV this June.

 



 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The National Park Service has created a few excellent resources for RVers, campers and recreationalist alike to remind them of the current guidelines when visiting our National Parks. Enjoy these details via original posters throughout this post.

 



 

Has Covid-19 got your summer road trip plans in a pickle? Fear not! Boondocking is the best way to see the natural world without having to cancel your summer vacations, even during a pandemic... so long as you continue to abide by CDC recommendations. To learn more about camping off-the-grid, check out our Comprehensive Guide to Boondocking. Are you RVing this summer and want to share your story? Leave us a comment in the section below for a chance to be featured on our Experience Life blog and Instagram.