What about taking my kids to the playground?

We don’t recommend doing that just yet, even if parks are opening up around you. The virus can live on steel playground equipment for up to 48 hours (longer on plastic), and we all know it’s not possible to sterilize a whole playground nor to keep our kids from touching their faces before their hands get washed. This is a tough one, we know, especially with younger children. Note that many local governments have closed playgrounds or are asking people not to use them.

If you want to just play in the park, that should be totally fine, as long as you practice social distancing. Remember that restrooms and parking lots might be closed. And please do take all of your trash with you when you leave and throw it away at home, even if the site has trash receptacles. Some places might not be fully staffed and might not be able to keep up with maintenance.

What about picnicking and camping?

Picnicking might be ok. As long as you can practice social distancing, only bring members of your own household (or those very close to you -- see above), avoid places where people typically gather (e.g., a picnic table could easily harbor the virus), and are using a space that is legal, open, and not crowded, then it can be fine. Stay as close to home as you can so that you aren’t contributing to the spread of the virus and so that you can avoid use of public facilities (like restrooms) if possible during your outing. Remember that some public facilities may still be closed.

Some camping sites are opening back up. Note that there are some risks involved here. Even if a campground is open, and tents are spaced far from each other, you’re likely to be using shared restrooms or other facilities, stopping for gas and bathroom breaks on the way, shopping for supplies, etc., all of which can bring you into contact with virus (or spread it from you to someone else). Use your best judgment on this. Some primitive campsites (i.e., no restrooms or other facilities) may be uncrowded and low risk; some might not. See below about traveling to a trail or campground.

Please do take all of your trash with you when you leave and throw it away at home, even if the site has trash receptacles. Some places might not be fully staffed and might not be able to keep up with maintenance.

Can I just go escape to a small town somewhere near my favorite hiking and camping spots?

Definitely not, not just for fun or to "escape". From public restrooms to gas stations to food and supply runs and hotel stays, you will be coming in constant, needless contact with surfaces that others have touched and will touch on your way there. And if you’re sick already and don’t yet know it, you’ll be spreading it far past your household. Most importantly, small towns cannot absorb and deal with an outbreak the way that larger population centers can -- you’d be negligently endangering their lives and their fragile economy.

What about visiting National Parks, National Monuments, Wildlife Preserves, State Parks, trails, etc.?

Be aware, across the country, many popular sites are still closed or opening back up but have become crowded and overwhelmed with visitors, making social distancing impossible and stressing trails and other infrastructure -- in that case, stay away, even if the site is technically open.

If you live in a rural area, you might have abundant access to open space and trails, with few people around. In that case, if the park or trail you want to use is open, not crowded, and within a quick drive of your home (so that you stops are minimized), then, yes, visiting such places for a hike or camping is fine as long as you practice strict social distancing (see above) and are following the guidelines of your local government and the federal, state, or local land manager. However, right now, we can’t risk diverting emergency medical care to wilderness injuries, so we urge that you only take an easy day hike in the front country.