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National Parks Cautiously Reopening to the Public


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    The American and global shutdown shuttered many state and national parks along with it. Now some parks are starting to reopen, albeit with a number of precautions.

    Yellowstone, Americas first national park, recently began accepting visitors for the first time since March 24, but don't expect things to be business as usual right away. The park, which is sprawled out among three states, is only opening its Wyoming entrances for now and isn't allowing any camping for the time being. So all visitors must leave the park by sunset for the time being.

    Park rangers have said they have figured out how to enforce social distancing guidelines in any indoor space within the park, but have said they will be mainly relying on visitors adhering to social distancing guidelines on their own in the outdoor areas. If Monday was a prelude of things to come then the park and others that follow have reason for concern. Time will only tell if that was a one-off or if park rangers will need to institute new guidelines to ensure the safety of visitors.

    To be honest, I am wholly in favor of our national parks reopening if they can be done so safely. I've been to a number of them, Yellowstone included, and have loved every minute of my trips. There is nothing quite like taking a hike in Redwood National Forest or having a picnic near the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. These parks highlight the abundant natural beauty spread throughout our country and, if reopened smartly, can be a safe place for people who've been stuck inside for the past two months to get out in nature and enjoy some fresh air once again.

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    CasJadia Wrote:

    These parks highlight the abundant natural beauty spread throughout our country and, if reopened smartly, can be a safe place for people who've been stuck inside for the past two months to get out in nature and enjoy some fresh air once again.

    I completely agree. Folks will be able to get out and get some fresh air for once in a long time. Plus, I think it's one of the safest reopenings going on right now. I just think of how vast these parks really are, and how when you go to one, you don't have to be around other human beings if you don't want to. Are any parks imposing population limits?
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    StarLord Wrote: I completely agree. Folks will be able to get out and get some fresh air for once in a long time. Plus, I think it's one of the safest reopenings going on right now. I just think of how vast these parks really are, and how when you go to one, you don't have to be around other human beings if you don't want to. Are any parks imposing population limits?

    I'm not sure that any are imposing population limits outside of a "natural" limit by limiting the number of gates that will be open for entry and not allowing any overnight camping for the time being. Although I can certainly see some of the more popular parks instituting more strict rules if people don't follow proper social distancing at the popular spots of parks.

    People visiting Old Faithful at Yellowstone were openly flaunting social distancing rules, which makes me wonder if park officials will have to enact some new rules and block off some areas if people refuse to do it themselves.

    Visitors watch Old Faithful erupt on Monday afternoon on Yellowstone national park’s opening day.
    Credit: Gabriela Campos/The Guardian

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    I get people's frustration with adhering to social distancing, but it sucks that some (or many) are just being too short sided about this. If we all collectively just follow guidelines, we are less likely to have set backs. I would rather be allowed in with restrictions than not at all.

    But that's to be expected I guess. Imagine this will be an ongoing issue, where they set guidelines, see what people actually do, then change and tinker with the rules until they get the proper result. Hopefully that doesn't lead to another outright closure.

    Haven't been to Yellowstone, Yosemite or even the Grand Canyon yet. Though all on my list, and probably in that order.