State Warns Parks May See Crowding Over Holiday

HARRISBURG, PA - The combination of fair weather and a summer holiday could make for crowded conditions at Pennsylvania's state parks this weekend. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn reminded potential state park visitors that parks will likely be packed. Dunn also warned that capacity-forced closures are possible.

"Pandemic precautions remain in effect," said Dunn. She stressed the need for social distancing and the wearing of masks everywhere when within six feet of others or around those not living in the same household.

"Weather, of course, is the determining factor in turnout at all our state parks and last weekend saw all our parks heavily visited," Dunn said. She explained that crowding forced one-day closings at two southeastern state parks — Beltzville in Carbon County and Marsh Creek in Chester County — but said park officials expect crowding to be an issue at other state parks if weather is hot and dry this coming Fourth of July weekend.

The DCNR Secretary recalled prior July Fourth experiences, especially when the holiday has fallen within a weekend, like this year. She said this creates a very real potential for capacity-forced closures at Beltzville; French Creek State Park in Berks and Chester counties; Marsh Creek; and Neshaminy and Nockamixon in Bucks County.

Secretary Dunn said recent Bureau of State Park attendance figures show people turning to the outdoors in record numbers. May 2020 attendance reports showed 5.8 million visitors compared to 4.2 million last year. The parks system increased by over 1.5 million visitors, a 36 percent increase, and 18 parks experienced more than a 100 percent increase.

"We fully understand the value of the outdoors experience during these trying times, and we encourage park visitors to spread out to other less popular state parks and consider off-times or days other than the weekend," Dunn said. "For would-be campers on this eve of a holiday weekend, all park campsites are booked, but so-called 'primitive camping' possibilities still exist in many of our state forests." She noted state forests also provide excellent avenues to hiking, picnicking and other outdoors activities.

State park swimming beaches and pools are limited to 75 percent capacity. When parking lots reach that capacity, both will be closed to would-be swimmers until crowds lessen, said Dunn.

For updated state park and forest facilities, the secretary recommended DCNR's What’s Open and Closed map.

Due to anticipated crowded conditions, Dunn noted it's a good idea to have several locations in mind for outdoor activities so you can move on if the first spot is crowded or closed.

Also, Dunn noted visitors can help keep state parks and forest lands safe by following these other practices:

• Avoid crowded parking lots and trailheads.
• Bring a bag and either carry out your trash or dispose of it properly.
• Clean up after pets.
• Avoid activities that put you at greater risk of injury, so you don’t require a trip to the emergency room.
• Don’t hike or recreate in groups — go with those under the same roof, and adhere to social distancing.
• Take hand sanitizer with you and use regularly.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow.
• If you are sick, stay home.