 National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
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1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
202-208-6843 phone
www.nps.gov |
News Release Release Date: April 1, 2020
Contact: Hosp_park_information@nps.gov |
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Hot Springs National Park Is Further Modifying Park Operations To Implement Health Guidance
Hot Springs, AR – Hot Springs National Park, in response to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state health authorities is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
In addition to the previously announced restrictions on public access to the Fordyce Visitor Center and the park administrative offices, as of April 2, 2020, Hot Springs National Park also will restrict use of the Gulpha Gorge campground, including the restrooms and picnic area. Those currently registered to camp in Gulpha Gorge will be asked to leave their campsites by Friday, April 3.
“After receiving heavy use over the weekend, particularly in the day use area, we made the decision to close the campground temporarily in order to comply with the most recent guidance about social distancing,” said park Superintendent Laura A. Miller. “We continue to monitor the situation daily and will re-open these areas as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Gulpha Gorge campground is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website www.nps.gov/hosp and social media channels.
Most outdoor spaces at Hot Springs National Park remain open and accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance, including all park trails, roads, and the Grand Promenade.
If contemplating a visit to a national park during this pandemic, the NPS asks visitors to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safer and healthier.
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.
www.nps.gov
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.