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Coping With Coronavirus: Theodore Roosevelt National Park Closed

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Published Date

April 16, 2020

Theodore Roosevelt National Park has closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic/NPS file

The coronavirus pandemic has claimed another national park, with Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota closed to all recreational use.

“Closing the park was a difficult decision to make during a time when people are seeking recreation and enjoyment in the outdoors," said Superintendent Wendy Ross. "This action will protect the people who work here, live here, visit here, and cherish this place. We look forward to welcoming the public back to their park as we transition to a new normal in the coming months.”

Elsewhere in the park system the following closures have taken effect:

Christiansted National Historic Site

  • All park events and permits have been cancelled until further notice.
  • Fort Christiansvaern, parking lot and visitor restrooms will be closed to the public until further notice.
  • Eastern National Bookstore at Scale House will be closed until further notice.
  • Park administration buildings will be closed to the public; please call park staff at the number provided for assistance with activities or questions related to park operations. You may also reach out to the park through its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ChristianstedNPS
  • Information on any updates on closures will be provided through all media outlets and posted as necessary.

Buck Island Reef National Monument

  • Buck Island Reef National Monument waters will remain open to boating activities in open waters. All Buck Island Reef permits will be temporarily canceled, this includes both anchoring and mooring permits. NPS facilities are closed including picnic areas, comfort stations, moorings, and shoreline, beaches, underwater trail and hiking trail for next 30 days. The park superintendent has suspended all authorized concession boating operations until further notice. NPS strongly urges all public boat operators to observe CDC recommendations and to maintain social distancing when boating.

Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve

  • Salt River visitor contact station remains closed from damage caused by hurricane Irma/Maria.

Blue Ridge Parkway road and area closures

Information is organized from North to South using Parkway Mileposts (MP) and nearby locations.

VIRGINIA

  • MP 0 - 13 Road closed, including Humpback Rocks (previously announced)
  • MP 85.9 Peaks of Otter Visitor Center and Sharp Top Parking Areas closed
  • MP 92.5 Sharp Top Parking Widening closed at Appalachian Trail crossing


NORTH CAROLINA

  • MP 292 - 294.5 Road closed near Blowing Rock, including Moses Cone Parking Area and Hwy 221 Bass Lake Parking Lot.
  • MP 294.5 - 296.4 Road closed, including Price Park Picnic Area
  • MP 298.6 - 305 Road closed through Grandfather Mountain area, including Rough Ridge and Linn Cove Viaduct
  • MP 305 - 308 Road closed
  • MP 316.4 Linville Falls Spur Road closed, including parking at Linville Falls trailheads
  • MP 334 - 342 Road closed, including Crabtree Falls Area, near Little Switzerland, NC
  • MP 355 - 375.6 Road closed from Mt. Mitchell to Ox Creek, including Craggy Gardens
  • MP 377.4 Parking areas closed at Craven Gap (Town Mountain Rd) for MST Trail access
  • MP 384.7 Roadside parking closed at MST Trailheads at US 74A Parkway access ramps
  • MP 393 - 469 Road closed from French Broad River Overlook to Southern Terminus of Parkway

*ALL listed closures are to vehicular traffic only.*

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Comments

Submitted by Liz on April 19, 2020 - 7:22pm.

Burke County police in North Carolina are ticketing cars at Linville Falls even though there are no signs that say "no parking" or "no trespassing".  Police just wanted to try to enforce the stay at home order even though hiking is allowed under the order. Complete overreach of authority!


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