Lassen Volcanic National Park in California has closed/NPS file

Editor's note: This updates with the closures of Arches and Canyonlands national parks in Utah.

Units of the National Park System continued to close Friday in a bid to avoid the coronavirus pandemic, with Lassen Volcanic National Park in California, Glacier National Park in Montana, and Arches and Canyonlands national parks in Utah closing their entrance gates, and many other units further restricting visitor services. U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva of Arizona also called for the closure of Grand Canyon National Park.

Late in the day Grijalva, a Democrat who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, called on Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to shut down the iconic park as a health precaution.

“We all love and value Grand Canyon National Park, and I understand public desire to enjoy the outdoors during a stressful time for our country. But public safety demands that the National Park Service prevent large gatherings anywhere in the park, regardless of this administration’s desire to maintain a sense of normalcy," the congressman said. "The Centers for Disease Control and the president’s coronavirus task force recommend no gatherings larger than ten people, and with hundreds still crowding at popular national park sites, it’s time for a more serious federal response. Grand Canyon National Park is a federal facility and federal guidelines need to be enforced, whether it makes some government officials uncomfortable or not.”

Bernhardt has so far ignored calls from area officials in Arizona to close the park.

Shutting down the park was necessary "for the safety and health of Coconino County healthcare providers, residents and visitors," read a letter sent from the Coconino County Board of Supervisors to Bernhardt on Thursday.

"The Grand Canyon is the crown jewel of parks across the county and country. However, it is important that the park adheres to proven guidance to help slow the spread of COVID-19," read the letter. "Social distancing measures in response to pandemics work. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, closures aimed to reduce the spread of infection have been proven to be extremely effective. Keeping the park open and allowing travelers from all over the world to come here and risk spreading COVID-19 is an unnecessary risk."

Meanwhile, both Lassen Volcanic and Glacier shut down to visitation.

“The National Park Service listened to the concerns from our state, county, and tribal partners and, based on current health guidance, temporarily closed the park,” said Glacier Superintendent Jeff Mow. “We will continue to work with our state, county, and tribal partners as this crisis continues and we will coordinate with them on when it will be safe to reopen the park.”

Not long after Mow made his comments, officials said Arches and Canyonlands, neighboring national parks in Utah, would be closed beginning Saturday, March 28.

"All vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians are prohibited from entering any park areas, including campgrounds, trails, backcountry, and roads. Any recreational use of the parks is in violation of this closure," a release for the two parks said. 

Last week Utah health officials ordered restaurants, lodgings, and campgrounds in and around the gateway town of Moab, Utah, to close, and urged travelers to avoid the area in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Bradon C. Bradford, who heads the Southeast Utah Health Department, said the cirumstances surrounding the expanding pandemic dictated action aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus.

"In any other year we want to welcome people with open arms, but we are cognizant that this isn't any other year, so as much as it pains us we want to discourage tourists," told the Traveler on March17.

Also fully closing its grounds and facilities on Friday was Pipe Sping National Monument in Arizona.

Elsewhere in the park system:

• There is no frontcountry or backcountry camping allowed at Shenandoah National Park in Virgina.
• Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area in Montana and Wyoming was closing is visitor center in Lovell, Wyoming, on Saturday, March 28.
• Overnight stays at Buffalo National River's campgrounds in Arkansas will be halted as of Monday, March 30, and the Tyler Bend Visitor Center, Steel Creek Visitor Contact Station, and Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station were closed.
• All campgrounds at Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri are closed, as are the park's shower houses and most restrooms.
• Olympic National Park in Washington state has closed the park to recreational fishing.
• At Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Tennessee, the Leatherwood Ford Day Use Area, including the parking area and restrooms, are closed.