Missouri State Parks operations, which had been limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will begin a phased-in approach to return to normal operations, officials have announced.
While the vast majority of Missouri state parks and historic sites have remained open for day use, the parks system implemented a number of measures designed to promote social distancing and protect visitors and team members.
However, with the state ending a stay-at-home order and current conditions, Missouri State Parks will begin to return to normal operations:
■ On Monday (May 4), concessions-operated lodging, dining, marina and retail operations will begin reopening at the discretion of the individual concessionaires and following Gov. Mike Parson’s recommended guidelines.
■ On May 11, Castlewood State Park in Ballwin, Elephant Rocks State Park in Belleview, Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site and State Park in Lawson and Weston Bend State Park in Weston will reopen for day use only.
■ On May 18, the off-road-vehicle riding area at St. Joe State Park will reopen and will require daily permits to be purchased online; quantities may be limited to manage capacity.
■ Park campgrounds and park-run lodging will remain closed through May 18. Missouri State Parks officials will continue to evaluate public-health data, applicable social-distancing guidelines and operational requirements to determine when it would be appropriate to resume these operations.
■ Visitor centers, park offices, tours, programs, group camps, enclosed shelters, playgrounds, pools and beaches will remain closed as Missouri State Parks evaluates the implementation of Phase 1. Events, including third-party events planned in the month of May, may be postponed or canceled.
“Never has access to our state parks been more important than during this period of COVID-19 response,” said Carol Comer, director of the Department of Natural Resources. “Missouri State Parks is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our visitors, volunteers and staff, and we are working toward resumption of additional services as soon as we can do so responsibly.”
Visitors are encouraged to check mostateparks.com for individual park advisory updates and the latest actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Crowds and visitation will be monitored closely in order to prevent overcrowding. If a park is nearing capacity, gates or parking lots may close temporarily.
