To protect public health and help slow the spread of COVID-19, Nevada State Parks is actively following the Governor’s social distancing mandate. In an effort to prevent crowding and surges in visitation that would undermine current public health directives, Nevada State Parks located in the greater Las Vegas Area will be fully closed effective April 9 until further notice. The state parks that will be closed include Valley of Fire State Park, the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park and Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area. Each park will be fully closed to the public for all activities, including camping, day-use, and boating (Big Bend of the Colorado).
All other State Parks remain open for day-use only (entrance fees still apply), with the exception of Rye Patch State Recreation Area. However, we encourage all potential park visitors to first check the Nevada State Parks website for current operating details at parks.nv.gov.
To date, Nevada State Parks has implemented multiple safety measures in response to the COVID-19 health crisis: Closure of all State Park museums, visitor centers, gift shops, offices, campgrounds, and some boat launches.
All annual permits that were set to expire during the state of emergency will be extended for 90 days.
If you do visit one of the Nevada State Parks that is open, we recommend you bring soap for hand washing and hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol when water is not available. The Governor’s mandate on social distancing requires by law that you refrain from gathering in groups larger than 10 people while visiting a Nevada State Park. Please also visit the Nevada State Parks website for further information and additional updates on State Park operations, which may change on short notice as events warrant.
The CDC also recommends the following precautions:
Avoid close contact with sick people
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Wash your hands with soap and water when possible for at least 20 seconds
Bring soap and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
Limit contact with others while exploring the great outdoors
Most importantly, stay home when you are sick in order to avoid exposing others
Please visit parks.nv.gov for updates, follow us on Facebook @NVStateParks, and thank you for your understanding in support of the Governor Sisolak’s Stay Home for Nevada initiative
In the case of an emergency, please call 911. All other inquiries call (775) 684-2793.
Nevada’s State Parks play an important role in the lives of all Nevadans and visitors by providing a restorative, natural setting that promotes physical and emotional well-being. We are working to keep our parks open, provided we are able to do so safely, in a manner that protects the public and our staff and will take steps as necessary to ensure that social distancing requirements are met. Given our collective efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19, Nevada State Parks will offer only limited day-use service at some state parks, and we urge Nevadans to take part in “flattening the curve” by participating in hyperlocal recreation, such as backyard activities, neighborhood walks and local bicycle rides.