Are you canceling your annual trek to the National Park System this year due to coronavirus?/Rebecca Latson file
If you haven't already made plans for your national park escape this year, you should be doing that now. Unless, of course, you've decided to skip the parks this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The thought of sitting in an airliner for a few hours with other potentially sick passengers is always a concern, but the hype around the novel coronavirus adds to those concerns. And the thought of visiting a park that attracts a lot of international visitors might be concerning as well. So what are you going to do this year?
Around the National Park System, staff is approaching the current situation much as it does flu season.
"While there have been no identified cases of coronavirus in any national park, the NPS Office of Public Health and the U.S. Public Health Service officers assigned to the National Park Service are closely monitoring the situation and keeping staff informed, relying on the most updated data and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," Park Service staff told Traveler late last month. "Parks are informed to follow CDC guidance regarding preventative actions to help prevent the spread of viruses, particularly during flu and respiratory disease season."
Of course, on the flip side, national attention and concern could make park lodging prices fall this summer if a great number of folks start canceling their trips, making a visit more affordable. That's definitely something to watch if you are flexible with your travel plans and are willing to go ahead with your vacation in spite of the coronavirus news.
But as of today, what are you thinking of doing?
Comments
We are planning to work in West Yellowstone this summer. As of now, our plans are to spend our summer there and enjoy Yellowstone.
As long as the Parks are open, we are planning on traveling this April - May.
Going to Yosemite in April. I'll do there like I do here, be patient, Keep a respectful distance, wash hands often. i told my friends treat everyone you don't know like they have germs or a mental problem, you've got a 50/50 chance of being right
I understand many are worried. Since I run a horseback trail riding ranch between Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park we have tried to make things accommodating
I would love to keep my plans my question is do you think the government will make them shut down.
No change in plans unless travel restrictions force a change. RMNP, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, all on the list for this summer.
Yes, free speech is essential, so I'll use it also. Our leadership is responding to this as well as any we ever had and perhaps better.
We having benn planning on going to Carlsbad Canyons all winter and we have not changed our plans. We leave next week and will be there for the entire following week. travelling by car and camping seems like the best thing you can do these days.