Special Notice – COVID-19

What Arkansas State Parks are doing in response to COVID-19

Updated 9/18/2020

All Arkansas State Parks remain available to visitors in a limited capacity during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Below is a breakdown of what is open, limited, or closed. More detailed information, including park-by-park listings. Note: Please visit the park page for closures or updates that are not COVID-related.

Check out our Digital Discovery section for online programming.

Recent changes:

Effective July 20, 2020, Governor Asa Hutchinson has issued a mandatory mask mandate for residents and visitors in Arkansas. Everyone will be required to wear masks in public spaces to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. https://governor.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/executiveOrders/EO_20-43.pdf

Lodges, cabins, camper cabins, YURTs, Rent-A-RV, restaurants, marinas, golf pro shops, retail shops, and exhibitions are reopened. Some restrictions will be in place. Physical distancing will be enforced. Please call the park directly for facility hours, as some may be limited.

Reservations at lodges, camper cabins, cabins, YURTs, and Rent-A-RVs are will be managed to allow 24-48 hours in between guests for thorough cleanings in between uses.

What is open:

Day use areas, such trails used for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife watching, and trails listed below.

Camping

Backcountry camping sites at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Mount Nebo State Park, and White Oak Lake State Park are open. Contact parks for information.

What is limited:

Lodges, cabins, camper cabins, YURTs, and Rent-A-RVs can be reserved but will be managed to allow 24-48 hours between guests for cleaning. While in public spaces within the lodges, visitors must wear cloth face-coverings.

Lodge restaurants have dine-in service with limited occupancy and hours. All patrons must wear a cloth face-covering until served.

Visitor Centers: Open to limited occupancy and hours for check-in/check-out only. All visitors must wear a cloth face-covering inside the building.

Group Events: Check with the individual park if reservations have been made. Events will be allowed only according to the size of the group and allowance for social distancing.

Golf Courses: The Ridges at Village Creek at Village Creek State Park is open by reservation only. Please call for tee times. DeGray Lake Resort State Park's course remains open. The pro shops are open with limited hours. All visitors must wear a cloth face-covering inside the building.

the building. Museum Parks: Exhibits and trails are open with limited occupancy and hours. All visitors must wear a cloth face-covering inside the museum buildings.

Marinas: Open to limited occupancy and hours for rental equipment and live bait only. All visitors must wear a cloth face-covering inside the building .

. Swimming beaches and pools are open at 50% capacity, first-come, first-served. Pools are open weekends only 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. through Labor Day.

Playgrounds and enclosed pavilions are open with restrictions.

What is closed:

Group Lodging: Lake Fort Smith, Crowley’s Ridge, and Historic Washington state parks.

Crater of Diamonds State Park rental equipment is not available.

All scheduled park interpretive programming.

Visitors with further questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Media inquires go to Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism Communications Director Melissa Whitfield at [email protected]