Jordan Lake & other state parks to begin phased reopening May 9

Raleigh, NC – Following guidance from the Governor’s office and the Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina’s state parks will increase recreational access and services beginning May 9.

In Chatham County, the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area reopening plan includes the following three phase approach:

PHASE ONE (tentative date May 9) –  Robeson Creek canoe access and boat ramp will re-open for public use.

PHASE TWO (tentative date May 22)  – Crosswinds campground Loops A, B and C, Parker’s Creek campground Loops 1 and 2  and Poplar Point campground Loops B, C, F, G, H and J will re-open. All camping will be by advance reservations only.  No First come, First serve/walk in camping.  Camping will be restricted and enforced to include – no day visitors permitted, beach areas closed, boat ramps closed, no 24-hour access and gate hours enforced. Shower houses are available, but comfort stations will be closed.

Park Office/Visitor Center, Ebenezer Boat Ramp, Ebenezer Day Use Area, Seaforth Boat Ramp, Seaforth Day Use Area, New Hope, Parker’s Creek Day Use Area, Vista Point and White Oak are closed to the public during phase two including:  hiking trails, picnic areas, picnic shelters, boat ramps, beach areas, group campsites and primitive campsites.

PHASE THREE (tentative date July 1) – Re-opening of park facilities closed during earlier phases to include – Park Office/Visitor Center, Ebenezer Boat Ramp, Ebenezer Day Use Area, Seaforth Boat Ramp, Seaforth Day Use Area, New Hope, Parker’s Creek Day Use Area, Vista Point and White Oak. All hiking trails, all picnic areas, all picnic shelters, all boat ramps, all beach areas, group campsites, primitive campsites, Poplar Point campground Loop E, Parker’s Creek campground Loops 3 and 4 are scheduled to re-open.

Beginning May 9, twenty-nine state parks that were closed will reopen including most roads, trails, restrooms and some boat ramps. Some access areas may be closed, so visitors should check park webpages for details. Campgrounds, picnic shelters, swim areas, playgrounds, visitor centers, and other common gathering areas will remain closed during this phase.

Park superintendents have examined each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with public health guidance. Cleaning procedures effective for COVID-19 disinfection are established and staff are trained to disinfect restrooms and high-touch areas. Park staff have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to reduce the spread risk of COVID-19 as they interact with the public and clean restrooms and other areas.

A return to full operations will occur in phases. The current plan calls for reopening campgrounds in the second phase, and the third and final phase will include opening common areas and resuming educational activities and other programming.

To ensure health and safety, park visitors should follow the “Three W’s” as outlined by the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services – wear a mask or cloth face covering; wait in line at least six feet away from others, and wash hands frequently. Visitors should also follow local health orders, maintain social distancing, bring hand sanitizer and reusable water bottles, avoid high-risk activities that could lead to calling first responders who are needed elsewhere during the pandemic, and practice Leave No Trace principles.

For more Covid-19 information, consult the DHHS website.

Park staff ask that visitors check the park webpage for detailed information before their visit rather than calling the park office. For the most up to date information about facility openings, service hours, and access, please visit the Division of Parks and Recreation’s website at ncparks.gov/open.

At a glance

• Most trails and most restrooms will reopen on May 9.
• Visitor centers, exhibits, meeting rooms, community buildings, picnic shelters, and retail areas will remain closed to enable staff to focus on cleaning restrooms and implementing social distancing on trails and other open areas.
• No campgrounds will be open. Campgrounds are expected to open May 22. Group camps will not open until at least June 30.
• No facility rentals will be available, including picnic shelters.
• Please check park pages for park hours. Some parks may close early.
• Parking will be limited to available spaces to keep parks under capacity. Overflow parking will not be allowed. Several parks will further limit parking capacity to allow for social distancing.

Phase timeline and details
 

Park by park details