Reopening of the National Parks

It has been a crazy couple of months with everything. First, the National Parks weren’t closing, then they did. Now they are slowly reopening. Here is the latest on the reopening of the National Parks.

Many national parks are still closed and information on those that have reopened or planning to reopen has been limited. It is incredibly frustrating for us all.

Trust me I know how frustrating it is. I am still sitting on permits to Katmai National Park, a cruise to Glacier Bay National Park, and a backpacking trip to Gates of Arctic National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park. I still have no idea how I am getting to Alaska or if the trip is even happening. It’s a waiting game at this point.

I know many people are wondering which parks are open and which parks are still closed. I have compiled the latest information on park status here.

Please note, just because the park is OPEN to the public doesn’t mean that the full park is open. There may still be closure such as trails, roads, bathrooms, and visitor service. If traveling / planning to travel outside your home state, please review the state and local guidelines. There may be restrictions in place such as Alaska’s 14 mandatory quarantine upon entering the state.

Social distancing is required. If the trailhead parking lot is full, odds are the trail is overcrowded and social distance isn’t being maintained. Pick a different trailhead.

Help support this site by purchasing one of our National Park Shirts, Poster, and other gear. Every purchase includes a donation to the national parks and helps keep National Park Obsessed’s website free to use and producing more national park guides.

Looking for more help planning your next adventure? Join the National Park Obsessed Facebook Group here to connect other national park lovers, trade advice, or see inspiring photos of the National Parks?

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! Read the full disclosure policy here

Reopening of the National Parks

Map of the Open National Parks

This map shows the current status of the parks. Please note that there may be restrictions on what part of the parks that are open or the state may have travel restrictions or mandatory self-quarantines in place. Several of the island/water-based parks’ are closed to shore landings but their waters are open.

[show-map id=”91″]

National Parks

Alaska

• Denali – Open
  • Current Conditions along the Denali Park Road
  • Latest Information on Denai buses and Campgrounds.
    • Denali Park Road is open to mile 30.
    • Backpacking Permits are available via email
    • Riley Creek Campground will open on May 22.
    • All Transit and Tour bus reservations are suspended with expected service to begin July 1.
    • Savage River and Teklanika River Campgrounds will open on Tuesday, June 16. 
    • Sanctuary and Igloo Campgrounds will open July 1.
    • Wonder Lake to be determined
    • There will likely be private vehicle access on the road this summer. The details are still be worked out.
    • The sled dog kennels will be closed to visitors this summer.

• Gates of the Arctic – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Park is Open
    • Visitor Services are limited

• Glacier Bay – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Visitor Services Season Starts July 1
    • Bartlett Cove Campground and Warming Hut Closed
    • Bartlett Cove Public Use Dock Access is Limited
    • Alsek River Permits are suspended

• Katmai – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Brooks Camp is closed until July 1

• Kenai Fjords – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Public buildings are closed
    • Trails to Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield are open
    • Exit Glacier Campground is closed.
    • Boat tours start on June 1

• Kobuk Valley – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Park is open
    • Northwest Arctic Heritage Center Closed

• Lake Clark – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Park is open
    • Port Alsworth Park Headquarters, Visitor Center, and Public Use Cabins are closed
    • Richard Proenneke Historic Site and Hope Creek Campsite closed

• Wrangell-St.Elias – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Visitor Servers may resume on July 1, 2020
    • Park headquarters are closed.
    • The following trails are open in the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark
      • Erie Mine Trail
      • Root Glacier Trail
      • Bonanza Mine Trail
      • Jumbo Mine Trail.
    • Kendesnii Campground is closed.

American Samoa

• American Samoa – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Visitors must spend 14-days in Hawaii and acquire health clearance 3-days before entry into American Samoa. (Flights may be suspended between Hawaii and American Samoa)
    • Visitor Center is closed.

Arizona

• Grand Canyon – Open/Closed intermittently
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Check what days the park is open (seems to be opening on weekends).
      • Is confirmed closed May 27 and May 28
    • When open, visitors can enter the park via the South Entrance from 4 am – 10 am.
    • All visitor facilities and trails are closed.
    • Grand Canyon Village and Desert View are closed.
    • North Rim is closed.

• Petrified Forest – Closed
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Park Road may open in late May
    • Facilities may open sometime after mid-June

• Saguaro – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Hiking Trails are open.
    • Camping, visitor centers, restrooms, and comfort stations are closed.
    • Water is available on the patios of the visitor centers.
    • Fordyce Bathhouse and Museum is closed

Arkansas

• Hot Springs – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Visitor center, campground, and picnic areas are closed.
      • Fordyce Bathhouse and Museum is closed
    • The trails, scenic drives and overlooks are open.

California

• Channel Islands – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • The islands are open for private boat landings, but there is no public transport to the islands currently.
    • The mainland visitor center is closed.

• Death Valley – Closed
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • CA-190 and Daylight Pass are open to pass-through traffic.
    • All permits have been canceled.
    • All park facilities, restrooms, viewpoints, trails, roads, and campgrounds are closed

• Joshua Tree – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Bathrooms, individual campsites, roads, and trails are open.
    • Visitor Centers and group campsites are closed.
    • All campsites are first-come, first-served.

• Kings Canyon – Closed until at least June 1
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Camping is closed until at least June 7.
    • CA Highway 180 is open to allow access to Forest Service land and private property.
    • All other sections of the park are closed.

• Lassen Volcanic – Closed
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Currently, no scheduled date to reopen.

• Pinnacles – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • The campground is reservation only.
    • Eastside road is open to vehicles to the campground.
    • Both sides of the park are open to foot and bicycles.
    • The following trails are closed (some are seasonal closures)
      • Bear Gulch Cave
      • Balconies Caves
      • The Steep & Narrow section of High Peaks Trail
      • The Moss Spring Trail to the Reservoir
    • All other trails are open.

• Redwood – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • All trails expect Tall Trees Grove, Freshwater Beach, Coastal Drive, and Bald Hills Road are open.
    • All visitor centers, campgrounds, parking areas, and toilets are closed.
    • The following roads are closed: Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, Davison Road, Howland Hill Road

• Sequoia – Closed until at least June 1
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Camping is closed until at least June 7.
    • CA Highway 180 is open to allow access to Forest Service land and private property.
    • All other sections of the park are closed.

• Yosemite – Closed
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Half Dome cables will not be in place before June 4.

Colorado

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • South Rim Drive is open
    • North Rim and Inner Canyon Routes is day-use only
    • Visitor Centers and campgrounds are closed.

• Great Sand Dunes – Open on June 3
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Phased reopening.
    • Opening in Phase 1
      • Main Park Road
      • Dunesfield
      • Medano Pass Primitive Road
      • All trails
      • All picnic areas
    • Visitor center, campgrounds, and backcountry access will be closed during Phase 1

• Mesa Verde – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Phased reopening
    • The following are open
      • Main Park Road
      • Far View Archeological Sites
      • Mesa Top Loop Road
      • Cliff Palace/Balcony House Loop Drive
      • Spruce Tree House Overlook
      • Morefield and Chapin Mesa Trails
      • Public Restrooms
      • Far View Lodge, Cafe, Gift Shop
      • Spruce Tree Cafe and Gift Shop
      • Morefield Campground

• Rocky Mountain – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Phased reopening
    • Campgrounds start to be open on June 4
    • Wilderness Backcountry permits will start being issued on May 27.
    • Shuttle Bus operations within Bear Lake Road will start on May 27.
    • The status of the Hikes Shuttle from Estes Park is unknown.
    • Phase 2 will see the temporary implementation of timed entry to the park from 6 am to 5 pm. Reservations to enter the park will go on sale through Recreation.gov at 8 a.m. Mountain Time on Thursday, May 28. Reservations will be available to enter the park from June 4 through July 31.

Florida

• Biscayne – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Rafting of marine vessels is prohibited.
    • Visitor Center, Boca Chita, Elliot Key, Adams Key are closed.
    • All Biscayne National Park Institue tours are suspended.
    • Kayak launch and restrooms at Convoy Point are open on a limited basis.

• Dry Tortugas – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Outdoor areas on Garden Key, including Fort Jefferson, from sunrise to sunset
    • Loggerhead Key, from sunrise to sunset
    • Harbors are open.
    • Park waters are open.
    • The following are closed
      • Concession tours
      • Campground
      • Restrooms
      • Visitor Center and bookstore
      • Programs

• Everglades – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Wilderness campsites and chickees are closed.
    • All visitor centers, Shark Valley, Gulf Coast, Nike Missile Site, and campgrounds are closed.
    • Royal Palm, Research Road Long Pine Key, West Lake, Guy Bradley Trail, and Flamingo Day Use area, Coastal Prairie Trail and Canoe, kayak and skiff rentals at Flamingo are open.
    • Restrooms are available at Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and Flamingo.

Hawaii

• Haleakala – 
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Hawaii has a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine upon entering the state until June 30.
    • Phased reopening
    • Summit District of Haleakalā National Park is open.
    • Restrooms are open.
    • The following trails are open
      • Hosmer Grove Trail
      • Supply Trail from Hosmer Grove to Halemau’u Junction
      • Leleiwi Overlook Trail
      • Pā Ka‘oao (White Hill) Trail
    • All other areas are closed

• Hawai’i Volcanoes – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Hawaii has a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine upon entering the state until June 30.
    • The park is working on a phased approach.
    • The following are open:
      • Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu for vehicles, bicyclists and hikers is open.
      • Mauna Loa Road past Kīpukapuaulu will be reopening shortly for hikers and bicyclists to Mauna Loa Overlook.
      • Footprints Trail from Highway 11 to the Ka‘ū Desert Trail and Mauna Iki Trail junction
      • Escape Road, for bicycling, horseback riding, and hiking to the Mauna Ulu junction.
      • Kahuku Unit opens on Saturday and Sundays only, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no vehicle access past Upper Palm Trail.
    • All other areas are closed.

Indiana

• Indiana Dunes – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • All buildings are closed.
    • Restrooms are open.
    • Portions of the Lakefront & Riverwalk, Beverly Shores are closed due to erosion.
    • Dunewood Campground is schedule is opened on June 5.
    • Visitor Center is tentatively scheduled to open on June 14.

Kentucky

• Mammoth Cave – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Surface trails are open to hiking, biking, and equestrian use.
    • Visitor Center, Cave Tours, and Campgrounds are closed.

Maine

• Acadia – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Maine has a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine upon entering the state.
    • Most park roads, facilities, restrooms, carriage roads, campgrounds, visitor centers are closed.
    • Park Loop Road is open to pedestrians and bicyclists.
    • Hiking trails are open except those under wildlife closures.

Michigan

• Isle Royale – Open, park waters are open for day use
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Opening is delayed until further notice.
    • All 2020 ferry service has canceled.
    • Isle Royale Seaplanes plans to operate if the island access is allowed later in the summer.
    • Park waters are open to day use. No overnight boating is allowed.

Minnesota

• Voyageurs – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Visitor Centers are closed.
    • Most boat-in campsites are open
    • Park boat tours have been suspended for the entire 2020 season.
    • Kettle Falls Hotel services will be limited to gas and portage until the end of May. Status after May is undecided.

Missouri

• Gateway Arch – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • The park grounds are open.
    • Gateway Arch Visitor Center and Old Courthouse are closed.

Montana

• Glacier – Closed expected to open in early June
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Park will reopen during Phase 3 of the State of Montana’s plan. They are currently in Stage 1. No opening date has been announced.
    • Glacier National Park Lodges are delaying opening until at least June 15. The lodges will open with the park.
    • Red Bus tours have been canceled through July 15
    • Campgrounds are closed until at least June 11.
    • All boat tours are suspended for the 2020 season.

• Yellowstone – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Only the South and East Entrances are open. The Montana entrances will open when the State of Montana allows.
    • Only the Lower Loop is open. Visitors can access Lake, Canyon, Norris, Old Faithful, West Thumb, and Grant Village. 
    • Campgrounds, backcountry permits, visitor cabins, additional stores, expanded tours, takeout food service, boating, fishing, and visitor centers will remain closed. 
    • Hotels, full-service dining, commercial tour buses, and ranger programs will remain closed. 

Nevada

• Death Valley – Closed
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • CA-190 and Daylight Pass are open to pass-through traffic.
    • All permits have been canceled.
    • All park facilities, restrooms, viewpoints, trails, roads, and campgrounds are closed

• Great Basin – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Park campgrounds and visitor centers are closed. (Campground is closed for construction)
    • The park is open for Day Use only.
    • The following are open: Entrance road to the Lehman Caves Visitor Center, Scenic Drive to Mather Overlook, Baker Creek, Snake Creek, Strawberry Creek, Restrooms at Lehman Caves Visitor Center and Great Basin Visitor Center
    • Hiking trails are open as weather and snow conditions allow.

New Mexico

• Carlsbad Caverns – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Cavern and Visitor Center are closed.
    • Park roads, desert trails, and picnic areas are open.

• White Sands – Closed
  • Current Conditions in the Park

North Carolina

• Great Smoky Mountains – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Currently in Phase 2
    • The following roads are open:
      • Big Creek Road
      • Cades Cove Loop Road (will open daily at 8:00 a.m. No closures for bicycles only)
      • Cherokee Orchard Road
      • Clingmans Dome Road
      • Cosby Road
      • Deep Creek Road
      • Foothills Parkway
      • Gatlinburg Bypass
      • Greenbrier Road (Due to roadwork, open to Ramsey Cascades Trailhead only)
      • Lakeview Drive
      • Laurel Creek Road
      • Little River Road
      • Newfound Gap Road
      • Roring Fork Motor Nature Trail
      • Tom Branch Road
      • Tow String Road
      • Tremont Road
      • Upper Tremont Road
      • Wear Cove Gap Road
    • Restrooms are open at
      • Sugarlands Visitor Center
      • Newfound Gap
      • Oconaluftee Visitor Center
      • Restrooms near Cable Mill in Cades Cove
      • Abram Falls Trailhead Restrooms
      • Rainbow Falls Trailhead Restrooms
      • Restrooms at open picnic areas
  • All trails are open.

North Dakota

• Theodore Roosevelt – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • All visitor centers and campgrounds are closed.
    • Hiking trails and park roads are open.
    • Limited restroom facilities.
    • North Unit, South Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch Unit are open.

Ohio

• Cuyahoga Valley – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Boston Mill Visitor Center, restrooms (portable toilets available), Brandywine Falls boardwalk, Blue Hen Falls are closed.
    • Visitors are asked to travel trail loops in the clockwise direction.
    • There is NO drinking water available in the park.

Oregon

• Crater Lake – Closed
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Highway 62 is open for through travel.

South Carolina

• Congaree – Closed
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Reopening for day-use (sunrise to sunset)
    • The following are open
      • South Cedar Creek Canoe Landing
      • Bannister Bridge Canoe Landing
      • Cedar Creek Canoe Trail
      • Kingsnake Trail
      • Bates Ferry Trail
      • Fork Swamp Trail
      • Oakridge Trail
      • River Trail
    • Campgrounds, Harry Hampton Visitor Center, the Boardwalk, Bluff Trail, Longleaf Trail, Sims Trail and Weston Lake Loop Trail are closed

South Dakota

• Badlands – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • South Unit is closed.
    • Visitor Centers are closed.
    • Park roads, overlooks, and trails are open. 

• Wind Cave – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Park Visitor Center and Campground are closed.
    • Park roads and hiking trails are open.
    • Cave tours are closed (due to elevator repairs).

Tennessee

• Great Smoky Mountains – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Currently in Phase 2
    • The following roads are open:
      • Big Creek Road
      • Cades Cove Loop Road (will open daily at 8:00 a.m. No closures for bicycles only)
      • Cherokee Orchard Road
      • Clingmans Dome Road
      • Cosby Road
      • Deep Creek Road
      • Foothills Parkway
      • Gatlinburg Bypass
      • Greenbrier Road (Due to roadwork, open to Ramsey Cascades Trailhead only)
      • Lakeview Drive
      • Laurel Creek Road
      • Little River Road
      • Newfound Gap Road
      • Roring Fork Motor Nature Trail
      • Tom Branch Road
      • Tow String Road
      • Tremont Road
      • Upper Tremont Road
      • Wear Cove Gap Road
    • Restrooms are open at
      • Sugarlands Visitor Center
      • Newfound Gap
      • Oconaluftee Visitor Center
      • Restrooms near Cable Mill in Cades Cove
      • Abram Falls Trailhead Restrooms
      • Rainbow Falls Trailhead Restrooms
      • Restrooms at open picnic areas
  • All trails are open.

Texas

• Big Bend – Opening on June 1
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Reopening on June 1
    • Will be Day Use only
    • The following will open
      • Scenic driving and bicycling along all paved park roads.
      • Selected frontcountry trails for day hiking.
      • Rio Grande for day-use river trips from paved road access points.
      • Panther Junction Gas Station and camp store.
      • Chisos Mountains Lodge restaurant for take-out meals only.
      • Fossil Discovery Exhibit
      • Restroom facilities.

• Guadalupe Mountains – Closed
  • Current Conditions in the Park

Utah

• Arches – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • All Arches’ roads, trails, and restrooms are open
    • Visitor Centers, Campground, and Fiery Furnace will remain closed.

• Bryce Canyon – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Campgrounds, food service, backcountry trails, and lodges are closed.
    • Trails within Bryce Amphitheater are open (except Navajo Loop).
    • Most overlooks are open.
    • Restrooms are available at Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, Farview Point, and Rainbow Point.
    • Guided horseback rides are operating.

• Canyonlands – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • All Canyonland roads, trails, and restrooms will open on May 29.
    • Visitor Centers and campgrounds will remain closed.

• Capitol Reef – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • All trails along Utah State Route 24 are open.
    • Backcountry camping permits are available.
    • Canyoneering routes are open.
    • South District (Waterpocket Fold) and North District (Cathedral Valley) are open.
    • Cathedral and Cedar Mesa Campgrounds are open. Fruita Campground is planning to open on June 2.
    • Visitor center and Gifford House are closed.

• Zion – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Shuttles are not operating.
    • Parking is extremely limited along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
    • Zion Lodge, Campgrounds, and Museum are closed.
    • Overnight backpacking or wilderness permits are suspended.
    • The following are closed
      • Kolob Canyons
      • Canyon Overlook Trail
      • Angels Landing Chains
      • Lower Emerald Pools
      • Weeping Rock area
    • The following trails are open:
      • Pa’rus
      • Archeology
      • Grotto
      • Riverside Walk
      • Watchman
      • Sand Bench
      • Upper Emeralds Pools
      • West Rim Trail to Scout Lookout

Virgin Islands

• Virgin Islands – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Trails, beaches, parking areas, and waters are open.
    • Restrooms and the Visitor Center are closed.
    • No food service of watersports rentals at Trunk Bay.

Virginia

• Shenandoah – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Skyline Drive and associated trails are open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
    • Old Rag, Whiteoak, and their associated trails, as well as all boundary trailheads and picnic areas, remain closed.

Washington

• Mount Rainier – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • The park remains open to foot and winter recreation via backcountry access points.
    • State Routes 410 and 123 are open between Enumclaw and Packwood. Visitors can access trailheads along these roads.
    • Nisqually Entrance Road is closed to vehicle traffic. Pedestrians can enter the park as long as they walk on the road shoulder single file. Do NOT walk on the road.
    • Park visitor centers and restrooms are closed.
    • Park backcountry is accessible for dispersed recreation.

• North Cascades – Closed
  • Current Conditions in the Park

• Olympic – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • All coastal areas, campgrounds, and visitor centers are closed.
    • Most park roads and restrooms are closed
    • Shi Shi and Second Beach are closed.
    • Lake Crescent area is open for day use.
    • Sol Duc Road is open to vehicles.

Wyoming

• Grand Teton – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Visitor centers, overnight lodging, food service, boating, backcountry permits, and campgrounds are closed.
    • Primary roads are open.
    • Some public restrooms are available.
    • Day-use hiking is available.

• Yellowstone – Open
  • Current Conditions in the Park
    • Only the South and East Entrances are open. The Montana entrances will open when the State of Montana allows.
    • Only the Lower Loop is open. Visitors can access Lake, Canyon, Norris, Old Faithful, West Thumb, and Grant Village. 
    • Campgrounds, backcountry permits, visitor cabins, additional stores, expanded tours, takeout food service, boating, fishing, and visitor centers will remain closed. 
    • Hotels, full-service dining, commercial tour buses, and ranger programs will remain closed.