As Oregonians everywhere have been becoming increasingly frustrated with the fact that all state parks have been closed in Oregon due to coronavirus, officials have announced eight state parks and boat ramps will reopen Wednesday, with more places to follow next week, officials said on Tuesday.
“As this limited reopening occurs, it is essential that Oregonians recreate responsibly to protect the health, wellness, and safety of themselves and others in local communities,” Brown said in a news release.
The Statesman Journal is reporting ski resorts will also get back to business under a new executive order from Oregon Gov. Kate Brown.
The Tryon Creek in Portland, the Willamette Mission north of Keizer, the Mongold boat ramp at Detroit Lake, the State Capitol State Park in Salem, the Cove Palisades boat ramp at Lake Billy Chinook near Culver, the Prineville Reservoir boat ramp near Prineville, the Joseph Stewart boat ramp on Lost Creek Lake near Shady Cove, and the Pilot Butte in Bend (open to pedestrians, not vehicles) are all opening Wednesday, May 6.
This of course is barely scratching the surface as far as how many other places are still closed at this time. Other parks are supposed to slowly open as time passes, with limited day-use starting the week of May 11, “based on the readiness of the community around the park to welcome visitors, and how prepared the park is with staff, supplies, and equipment,” the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department said in a news release. “State parks will open and close with little advance notice; updates will be posted online.”
According to the news, it looks like it will be awhile before some of Oregon’s most popular spots such as the Columbia River Gorge and the northern Oregon Coast reopen, as they are expected to reopen last.
Federal officials have also said federal land, including trailheads on national forest lands at this time are also still closed.
As you visit the parks that have been reopened to the public, park officials have suggested to travel less than 50 miles from urban areas to visit parks, only visit with members of their household and bring all food, water and hand sanitizer needed for the trip.
At the time of writing this, campsites are still closed with no official date of reopening in sight for summer.
