March 20, 2020 3:15 a.m.
Three state agencies will suspend allowing camping to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will accommodate current overnight guests through April 2nd. Reservations for all state parks from April 3rd to and including May 8th will be canceled and site fees refunded. Before May 8th, the department will review the state park campground closure to decide whether it should be extended. The decision affects all individual and group overnight facilities including campsites, yurts, cabins, tepees, and services operated by concessionaires. The suspended service also affects reservations for group day-use areas.
The Oregon Department of Forestry maintains campgrounds in the Clatsop, Santiam and Tillamook State Forests. Most of those are currently closed for the season and will not reopen for individual or group use. Year-round campgrounds will close starting March 23rd. All day-use and campground restrooms are temporarily closed due to limited janitorial services. A reopening date for all restrooms and state forest campgrounds has not yet been determined. During this time, trails, forest roads, and trailheads on state forestlands will remain open to the public.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is closing its Wildlife Areas to overnight camping effective this Sunday. The closure affects both dispersed camping and established campgrounds. Several wildlife areas are also currently fully or partially closed to all visitors as part of annual seasonal closures to protect wintering wildlife. While camping is prohibited, wildlife areas that are currently open remain open to visitors for day-use activities.
The release said state park, forest and wildlife area camping locations are built into relatively small areas by design. That means maintaining social distance is difficult. The release said that working with fewer staff and volunteers is becoming a reality, making it difficult to maintain proper cleaning procedures. Staff with these agencies believe that to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, the temporary campground closures are needed.