King Salmon, AK - Katmai National Park and Preserve (Katmai NP&P) continues to support efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) while also supporting Alaska’s efforts to responsibly reopen closed areas when possible.
The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. The latest Alaska State Mandate, COVID-19 Health Mandate 18, prohibits non-essential travel to communities that are off the road system and that are not served by the Alaska Marine Highway System. The Brooks Camp Developed Area (BCDA), within Katmai NP&P, qualifies as such an area and therefore is currently subject to resulting restrictions on, non-critical, tourism-based travel.
The current closure of the BCDA remains in effect until July 1st. When possible, a return to reduced operations within the BCDA will be phased and services will be limited. The park wishes to share the following information to address growing interest about when and what visitor services might be available this year. The following earliest possible opening dates for BCDA operations are contingent upon the lifting of the aforementioned travel restrictions.
Brooks Camp Developed Area Operation Earliest Possible Opening Date as of May 26, 2020
* Explore.org Bear Camera Activation
Latter half of June 2020
* Visitor Center Info/Bear Orientation
July 1, 2020
* Day Use Visitation
July 1, 2020
* Limited Dining Services
July 1, 2020
* Overnight Lodge Guests
July 23, 2020
* Overnight Camping
July 23, 2020
* Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Drop Off/Pick Up Service
July 23, 2020
* Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Tour
Cancelled for Season
Assuming that doing so would be consistent with COVID-19 related federal, state and local travel guidance that exists at the time, the park hopes to partially reopen Brooks Camp to day-use-visitation starting July 1; however, overnight accommodations both at the Brooks Camp Lodge and campground will remain closed at least until July 23. If Brooks Camp overnight accommodations become possible this season, the park will formally announce the opening date via a separate press release with at least three weeks anticipation.
Katmai NP&P Superintendent Mark Sturm said “We are hopeful that the existing Covid-19 prevention measures might continue to be successful locally so that tourism travel restrictions might be lifted at some point. In anticipation of this, the park is currently making preparations to accommodate visitors later this season. In the meantime, we understand that folks have a need to know what is and isn’t possible, so that they in turn can update their own plans; therefore, we are sharing what we can regarding Brooks Camp operations this year. I want folks to know that we have been working closely with Katmailand, the park’s concessioner, to make related decisions jointly. Both the park and Katmailand are committed to responsibly reopening everything possible at Brooks Camp for the remainder of the 2020 season."
For those who do still hope to visit Katmai this year you should know that park staff are following new procedures informed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to minimize contact between and among visitors, fellow staff and adjoining local communities. In keeping with CDC, as well as State and Local guidelines, all visitors who eventually are able to come to Brooks Camp this year will be asked to practice social distancing and to wear face coverings when in proximity to others not of the same household.
Areas outside of the BCDA within Katmai NP&P remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance. Law Enforcement and first responder services remain accessible.
The health and safety of visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners who come to Katmai are our highest priorities. The NPS is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We will notify the public if we expand BCDA operations further via press release as well as via website www.nps.gov/katm and social media channel updates.
If contemplating a visit to a national park during this pandemic, the NPS asks visitors to adhere to guidance from the CDC and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safer and healthier. #RecreateResponsibly
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations. www.nps.gov
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Tags: covid-19 brooks camp press release katmai national park and preserve
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
