Camping Suspended at Multiple State Park Campgrounds
On Thursday night New Mexico State Parks have officially suspended overnight camping and all events. The suspension comes on the heels of major event cancelations across America.
Even though camping isn’t a necessarily a “mass public gathering,” the state is showing extra caution in wake of the virus.
The parks, however, are open for day use.
Likewise, Pennsylvania has closed state parking in one of its counties. Norristown, Evansburg and Fort Washington State Park will all be closed.
How long is camping suspended at the State Parks?
New Mexico State Parks have suspended camping from March 13th to April 9th. While their website doesn’t have an official statement yet, here’s a statement from their Twitter account.
Overnight camping and events at NM State Parks are suspended from March 13 through April 9, 2020. State Parks remain open for day use.
The Pennyslvania State Parks are starting with a 14 day closure.
How Will Campers Get Notified & Refunded?
The New Mexico State Park system uses Reserve America for campground reservations. Reserve America will contact guests with reservations. Additionally, if you have a reservation, you can call Reserve America to cancel.
The New Mexico refund policy is stated as “full refund” in this unique suspension. However, this is the latest update from New Mexico State Park’s Twitter account:
Due to suspension of overnight camping, visitors with reservations through April 9th will be contacted by Reserve America to cancel. Visitors can also log onto Reserve America to cancel or work directly with the State Parks Division for rain checks or cash reimbursements.
What State Parks does the suspension affect?
All New Mexico State Parks with onsite camping are affected. The 35 state parks are listed below:
- Bluewater Lake
- Bottomless Lakes
- Brantley Lake
- Caballo Lake
- Cerrillos Hills
- Cimarron Canyon
- City of Rocks
- Clayton Lake
- Conchas Lake
- Coyote Creek
- Eagle Nest Lake
- Elephant Butte Lake
- El Vado Lake
- Fenton Lake
- Heron Lake
- Hyde Memorial
- Leasburg Dam
- Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
- Manzano Mountains
- Mesilla Valley Bosque
- Morphy Lake
- Navajo Lake
- Oasis
- Oliver Lee Memorial
- Pancho Villa
- Pecos Canyon
- Percha Dam
- Rio Grande Nature Center
- Rockhound
- Santa Rosa Lake
- Storrie Lake
- Sugarite Canyon
- Sumner Lake
- Ute Lake
- Villanueva
Campers Aren’t Inspired to Change Plans
Despite many travelers canceling trips, RV campers have been more hesitant to change their camping plans.
In fact, 95% of the RV campers we surveyed said they won’t change their RV itinerary.
Some RV owners are using their motorhomes and trailers as “bug out” vehicles. This way they can avoid crowds and heavily populated areas.
New Mexico is taking the opposite route as Georgia
Meanwhile in Georgia – not only are the State Park campgrounds open for business, they are also housing coronavirus patients on the State Park grounds.
This strategy gets patients away from populated areas and truly quarantines them in the boonies.
The Best FREE Camping in the USA
We love camping across this amazing country. And, we really love it when its free. Here’s our list of the 20 Best Free Campsites in the USA.
If you haven’t tried free camping before, also known as boondocking, take a look at our beginners guide to boondocking filled with everything you need to know to get started.
We are at Macdill AFB in Tampa, Fl until April 7th. We then are traveling the state of Florida until October when we are back at Macdill and Tampa area for the winter months. Not sure of this virus closing down the State Parks but we feel more isolated still by this vs. other options. I guess we will see by the day what changes are made.
I’m currently camping at a new Mexico state park. The campground is mostly full. No one has come by and said to leave. Will see what happens. Doesn’t really make sense if they are open to day use!
This is really stupid. Day use is okay but sleeping at a campsite isn’t? Some at EMNRD or NM State Parks have their head up their @**. Just because others in government and large associations like the NBA have taken draconian measures doesn’t mean they should. Getting out and away camping in fresh air and sunlight ought to be encouraged.
I wondered if this would be an issue once a National Emergency was declared. Non-essential services are cut. Sad. My daughter told me to stay in Virginia vs driving to San Diego as she was worried I’d get stranded. Thanks for posting live suggestions to live issues!
this is so sad the media hippe has no end. I have spoke to several Doctors and they all say the same thing.
this virus is no where near the medical issue it is being played up to be. I feel the goverment is being played and forcing us to get use loose are freedom. we will see how this plays out. For my to cents it all smoke and mirrows
to ruin the ecomney.
As for I leave for the open road tommorow.I have reservation in a number of state camp grounds from colorado to Florida.So i guess Ill park where ever I can but ill be dam if ill let them spoil my plans
Sorry did not mean to rant
thank you folk for the info
and safe travel to all
Completely ridiculous. What better way to avoid and/or transmit than to be isolated in the wilderness?
What has happened to logical thinking
In this country?