BOISE, Idaho — Idaho’s 30 state parks will welcome campers back on May 30 under Gov. Brad Little’s Idaho Rebounds Plan.
Camping closed in late March due to concerns over spread of COVID-19. Assuming continued progress containing the epidemic, camping will reopen with new COVID-19 precautions.
According to a news release, the State Parks Department is stocking up on personal protective equipment to conduct enhanced and more frequent cleaning of restrooms and other shared-use facilities. Campground showers will not be opened because of the difficulty cleaning them to the extent recommended by public health experts.
Visitor Centers at the Parks may have updated operating hours and rules designed to encourage social distancing, such as occupancy limits.
Refunds will be given to anyone having a reservationcanceled between May 16 and May 29.
Some lodging at parks will remain closed. While camper cabins will open, premium cabins – those with dishes, linens and bathrooms – will stay closed because of the difficulty of providing enhanced cleaning.
Group camps and shelters will be opened on a case-by-case basis, following the social distancing and allowable group sizes based on guidance from the Idaho Rebounds plan.
Interpretive programs will again be available, without hands-on activities and with appropriate social distancing.
While the parks will reopen, visitors are encouraged to:
- Stay home if sick
- Engage in physical distancing of at least six feet from non-family members or housemates
- Wear face covering in public places
- Practice good hand hygiene
- Cover coughs and sneezes
