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Coping With Coronavirus: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Closes

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Published Date

April 14, 2020

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic/NPS file

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic/NPS file

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan on Tuesday closed its trails, trailheads, picnic areas, parking areas, and boat launches to the public, and also banned beach fires in an expanded effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Previous closures of the visitor center, campgrounds, and restrooms remain in place.

Also on Tuesday it was announced that the Denali Park Road in Denali National Park and Preserve was closed to recreational access. This closure removes public access to all areas accessed via the Park Road beyond mile marker 0.

The closure at Denali does not affect travel through the park along George Parks Highway; access to the Post Office located near the entrance of the park; subsistence activities currently provided for under the Alaska National Interests Lands Conservation Act in the Preserve portions of the park; or community recreation accessed by means other than the Park Road.

“This was a difficult decision for the park,” said Denali's acting superintendent, Denice Swanke. "But in light of continued visitation to the park from areas of known community spread, including Anchorage and Fairbanks, these changes are necessary to support the governor’s health mandates and travel restrictions, and to keep our staff and the surrounding communities safe.

"We are working closely with local communities, our business partners, and the state, to be ready for visitors when this crisis is over, and to support whatever level of visitation is considered safe until then. Park and contractor crews are continuing their efforts to open and maintain the Park Road for future access," said Swanke.

Additionally, the opening date for the visitor center at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial in Ohio was pushed back from May 16 to June 13, which happens to be the 105th anniversary of the Memorial opening to the public. Ranger programs also will be delayed until June 13.

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