Social Distancing: National Park Service Waive Fees to Encourage Outdoor Activity
On March 18th the National Park Service announced that it will waive entrance fees to parks that remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt wants to encourage social distancing among Americans by encouraging outdoor activity.
This is a much different approach than many State Parks have taken. Florida, in addition to others, have closed their state parks for 30 days.
Why Are Most National Parks Staying Open and Waiving Fees?
In a news release Bernhardt says:
“Our vast public lands that are overseen by the Department offer special outdoor experiences to recreate, embrace nature and implement some social distancing.”
Additionally he added, “This small step makes it a little easier for the American public to enjoy the outdoors in our incredible National Parks,”
Many RVers have echoed this exact sentiment.
In the midst of state parks closing – full time RVers, in particular have worried about being evicted and having reservations cancelled.
State Parks, unlike National Parks, May Need To Use Facilities to Combat Virus
Louisiana, Georgia and California have selected certain public RV parks and campgrounds to act as coronavirus isolation centers.
A beachfront RV park in Playa Del Rey operated by the county is isolating the infected in onsite RV. Up to 50 RVs are being delivered to the site.
Georgia is hosting patients in an isolated portion of Hard Labor Creek State Park – however, the campground is still hosting campers.
Bayou Segnette in New Orleans is also housing infected.
The Majority of RVers Think State & National Park Campgrounds are Essential Businesses
In a recent poll shared with hundreds of RV enthusiast, 84% think that campgrounds and RV parks should be considered essential businesses.
By closing parks and campgrounds, full time RV travelers and RVers away from home may be left without proper water & electric resources.
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.
RV Parks or RV Campers: Who's Responsible for Health Precautions This Summer?
Sunday 26th of April 2020
[…] 94% of RVers said they will practice social-distancing this […]
Shandra
Friday 20th of March 2020
We went out on a hike yesterday and it was exactly what we needed. It is the only form of normalcy anymore and we were so caught up in the beauty we forgot what was happening in the world.
Bob
Thursday 19th of March 2020
As any of us full timers know trying to find a campsite in national parks without reservations 6 months in advance can be nearly impossible.
Richard E Miller
Wednesday 18th of March 2020
Increase tourism around the parks is a bad idea. The working poor will be the ones cleaning the restrooms, unclogging toilets, etc...They will be the ones who get infected from the increased tourism.
Sarah T Knight
Wednesday 18th of March 2020
There are a number of state parks that have closed their campgrounds however are leaving the other day use facilities open. The facilities that are offered during day use still will need to be cleaned by the park staff which poses a threat to those staff. However the use of the campground for full-time rvers or any other self-contained recreation vehicles gives a place that's safe, and provide revenue for the state campground. State campgrounds are concerned about the facilities being used by rvers then a good suggestion would be for them to lock the bathhouses, the restrooms, and or any communal facilities. They could require that the recreation vehicles be completely contained but still allow the use of any dump stations that may be part of the State Park campground. For some of these states that have closed down there campgrounds doesn't seem like they've really thought it through completely when they're willing to leave the park open for day-use.