Fredonia, AZ - Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Pipe Spring National Monument is increasing recreational access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, tribal and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access. Entry fees will continue to be waived during this initial period of reopening to prevent handling of materials between visitors and staff. After an assessment period, additional services and facilities may be gradually reopened with modifications to occupancy and space based on local health recommendations, input from our partners the Kaibab Paiute Reservation.
Beginning July 1, 2020, Pipe Spring will reopen access to:
* The parking lot and restroom
* The 40-acre monument grounds and hiking trail
With public health in mind, the following facilities will remain closed at this time:
* The interior of the Visitor Center and Museum
* The Zion Forever bookstore
* The interior of Winsor Castle
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Pipe Spring, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders issued by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation, practice Leave No Trace principles, bring and wear face coverings in public spaces, maintain recommended social distance of a minimum of 6 feet, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
We have amazing virtual tours of Pipe Spring and other great content available digitally, so for people who are still home schooling or not traveling at this time check out our NPS website at https://www.nps.gov/pisp/index.htm, our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PipeSpringNPS/, and our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClU2pLdSsHPNRJReU9fmgvQ/featured.
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
Tags: pipe spring national monument
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
