Phased Reopening of State Parks Continues May 15th

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Nne additional Parks open for day-use

 

Santa Fe – Today the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s (EMNRD) State Parks Division announces nine additional State Parks reopening for day-use only beginning May 15th. Overnight use and campgrounds remain closed and all events through the end of May have been canceled. In addition, there will be capacity limits at many re-opened State Parks.

 

The nine additional parks open for day-use beginning May 15th are Oasis, Oliver Lee, Clayton Lake & Dinosaur Trackways, Pancho Villa, Mesilla Valley Bosque, Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Coyote Creek, City of Rocks, and Rockhound State Parks. They join Cimarron Canyon, Ute Lake, Brantley Lake, Sumner Lake, Caballo Lake, Cerrillos Hills, Storrie Lake, and Villanueva which reopened on May 1st.

 

Camping reservations will be canceled and refunded through May 31st. The phased reopening considers the availability of park staff and resources, characteristics of the parks, and the ability to social distance once in the park. The public is encouraged to visit parks near their homes to reduce travel for the protection of local communities.

Our staff will be managing for the use of State Parks in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Additional information about social distancing and hygiene will be posted throughout parks to ensure visitor safety. State Parks is committed to ensuring that facilities are clean and sanitary and will take extra precautions to enhance their cleanliness.

Days and hours of park day-use openings vary across the system. For details on specific park information visit the State Parks website and know before you go.

 

Information to verify before your visit:

  • State Parks that are open to day-use access and specific hours of operation
  • Visitor capacity guidelines for each State Park
  • Social distancing information
  • Group size restrictions
  • Available facilities
  • Park visitor etiquette
  • Useful supplies to bring including personal cleaning and sanitation products

 

Additional restrictions include:

  • Hours of operation may be limited
  • No overnight park use
  • Visitor centers and indoor facilities remain closed
  • Water access and trails will be open, but access may be limited to adhere to social distancing requirements
  • Comfort stations closed in order to ensure social distance; vault toilets open
  • No group shelter use or large organized events, in accordance with continued restrictions on mass gatherings
  • Playgrounds closed
  • No campfires or open fires
  • Limited concession operations

 

To ensure the safety of visitors, Parks staff, and local communities, EMNRD thanks our visitors for continuing to adhere to social distancing and hygiene guidelines while visiting our parks. Additional details on reopening facilities will be provided when it is deemed safe to do so.