Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Visiting the outdoors during the COVID-19 outbreak

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) encourage New Yorkers to recreate locally, practice social distancing, and use common sense to protect themselves and others.

Getting outdoors to walk, jog, hike, ride a bicycle, or visit a park or state lands is a healthy way to stay active, spend time with your immediate household family members, and reduce stress and anxiety while practicing physical distancing. While indoor spaces and restrooms at State Parks and DEC’s public facilities may be closed to prevent community spread of COVID-19, parks, grounds, forests, and trails are open during daylight hours, seven days a week.

State Parks, Lands, Forests, and facilities are monitored by Park Police, Forest Rangers, Environmental Conservation Police Officers and other staff. These parks, lands, forests, and facilities and visitors will incorporate physical distancing to limit the potential spread of COVID-19. In addition, these officers and staff respond to, and assist, local agencies with search and rescue missions, wildfire suppression, and other response activities. Following this guidance will prevent unnecessary burdens on, and dangers to, state resources and local responders during the ongoing COVID-19 response.

While enjoying outdoor spaces, please continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/State Department of Health (DOH) guidelines for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19:

• Stay home if you are sick, or showing or feeling any COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, coughing, and/or troubled breathing;
• Practice social distancing by keeping at least six (6) feet of distance between yourself and others, even when outdoors;
• Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, or high-fives;
• Wash hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available; and
• Avoid unnecessary contact with surfaces that are often touched, such as doorknobs and handrails.

DEC and State Parks also encourage visitors to State Parks, State Lands, and other parks to:

• Stay local and keep visits short;
• Visit in small groups limited to immediate household members;
• Maintain distance from others while in places where people tend to congregate, such as parking lots, trailheads, and scenic overlooks;
• Avoid games and activities that require close contact, such as basketball, football, or soccer;
• Avoid playground equipment like slides and swings and other frequently touched surfaces;
• Do not share equipment, such as bicycles, helmets, balls, or Frisbees;
• If you arrive at a park and crowds are forming, choose a different park, a different trail, or return another time/day to visit; and
• If parking lots are full, please do not park along roadsides or other undesignated areas. To protect your safety and that of others, please choose a different area to visit, or return another time or day when parking is available.

If you are sick or have had contact with someone who is sick in the last 14 days:

• Stay home; and
• Spend time in the backyard or other personal outdoor space. Do not visit public outdoor spaces.

If you are over 70 or have a compromised immune system:

• Avoid visiting outdoor public spaces;
• Remain indoors or spend time in the backyard or other personal outdoor space;
• Pre-screen visitors by taking their temperature from a safe social distance; and
• Require visitors to wear masks, if available.

Below are some specifics for State Park visitors:

Parking: To encourage physical social distancing at popular parks, trailheads, and scenic areas, State Parks will reduce the number of available parking spaces on high visitation days. Have a plan ready to visit a different park or another park area. Visit https://parks.ny.gov/parks/ for a list of parks. Park maps are available on each park page.

Effective Friday, April 24th the following roads around Bear Mountain and Harriman State Park are closed until further notice:

• Exit 16 off the Palisades Interstate Parkway
• Lake Welch Drive to St. John's Road
• Tiorati Brook Road
• Rte. 106 from Kanawauke Circle to Rte. 17
• Arden Valley Road
• Perkins Memorial Drive
• Exit 19 off the Palisades Interstate Parkway

Seven Lakes Drive remains open.

• Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Sam's Point Area: Parking capacity has been reduced by 50% to reduce the density of visitors at the park in an effort to improve social distancing. Parking will be limited until further notice. All Restrooms are CLOSED, please plan accordingly.
• Hudson Highlands State Park: Multiple parking and trail restrictions are in effect. For more details, please visit https://parks.ny.gov/parks/9/details.aspx
• Taconic State Park, Copake NY: The parking lot and trail for the Bash Bish Falls is closed.

Face Coverings: For the safety of all visitors, please wear a face covering when you cannot maintain social distance.

Playgrounds, Athletic Courts and Sporting Fields: All State Park playgrounds, athletic courts, and sporting fields are CLOSED. This measure is taken for the safety of all visitors and to stop the spread of COVID-19. Park visitors should maintain 6 feet of social distance and visit parks for solitary recreational activities only. Please avoid crowds and refrain from group activity.

Restrooms: Due to COVID-19 we have closed most indoor spaces - visitor centers, nature centers, and historic houses. Some but not all public restrooms will continue to be available. Please note that many restrooms may still be closed until water systems are restored from seasonal closures. Visitors should plan accordingly and call the park office for more information.

Golf: Starting Saturday, April 25 golf courses operated by State Parks may be open. Operating schedules will differ across the state. Call the course directly for current information.

UPDATE ON CAMPING

Existing 2020 reservations: New York State Park campsites, cabins and cottages will open to those with existing reservations beginning June 1^st. You must already have a reservation to camp.

New 2020 reservations: A limited number of full-service cottages and full hook-up RV sites will be available to reserve starting June 1^st. New reservations for full-service cottages and RV sites are expected to fill quickly. Reservations can be made in advance by calling toll free 1-800-456-CAMP or http://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com. The availability of additional new reservations will be reviewed as the summer proceeds.

UPDATE FOR 2021 CAMPING: New York State Parks has temporarily lifted the 9-month reservation window restriction for camping and will allow for transfers of existing camping reservations into the 2021 season. If you choose to transfer, the change fee will be waived until June 11th for online transactions only. In addition, you may also make new reservations for the 2021 season at this time. Please note that there is no guarantee that you will get the same camping site or dates for 2021 whether you transfer or make a new reservation. We encourage online reservations as the Call Center is experiencing longer than average wait times.

Pavilion/Shelters: All pavilion/shelter reservations are canceled through June 14^th. Visitors with reservations through June 14^th will be issued a full refund. All new pavilion/shelter reservations for the 2020 season have been suspended until further notice.

Swimming: State Park beaches will begin to open to swimming Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, at 50% capacity or less and with heightened precautions. You must practice social distancing at a state beach. Pools will remain closed.
More details are available through our press release

Boat Launches and Marinas: Marinas and boat launch sites are open where conditions allow. Call the park or regional office directly for current status.

Entrance Fees: All entrance fees have been waived.

Events: All public programming and events have been canceled until further notice.

Lifeguards: At this time, all qualifiers have been postponed through the end of May.

As the situation continues to develop, we will take any necessary actions to protect visitor and staff health. We appreciate your support and patience as we navigate this public health crisis together.

Resources: New York State Health Department COVID-19