Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT), announced Friday (March 27) the department is limiting the use of campgrounds to RVs with self-contained bathrooms.

According to 5 News Online:

Primitive camping areas for backpackers are available at Cane Creek State Park, Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Mount Nebo State Park, and Devil’s Den State Park. Bathhouses and restrooms in campground areas will be closed. This limitation becomes effective at 9 a.m. Sunday, March 29, until further notice.

Cabins at Arkansas State Parks remain available for rental, and access to trails are open. Day use of the parks is still available for walking, hiking, biking, fishing and other outdoor activities.

“We are making this difficult decision to further limit use of our State Parks in order to help slow the spread of the coronavirus,” said Hurst. “Cabin rentals and day use of our State Parks remain open and available to the public. We ask that our visitors follow the CDC and Governor’s directives to not gather in groups of more than 10 people.”

Any deposits to the parks will be refunded and any fees will be waived. Questions about reservation cancellation should be made to the parks directly.