News Release

Chickasaw NRA Operations Update 4-27-2020

Date: April 27, 2020
Contact: Megan Wilkins, 580-622-7234

Sulphur, Okla. – Chickasaw National Recreation Area continues to operate under modifications to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  

At Chickasaw National Recreation Area, the following services and operations are suspended in order to comply with the national and regional health guidance: 

• Road to Veterans Lake is closed

• All of Travertine Creek is closed to swimming

• East Perimeter Road is closed, which includes the following areas:

  • Little Niagara Parking and Restrooms

  • Travertine Nature Center Parking and Restrooms

  • Bear Falls Parking

  • Garfield Falls Parking

  • Panther Falls Parking and Pit Toilets

  • Travertine Island Parking and Restrooms

• Travertine Nature Center

• All campgrounds

Most outdoor spaces at Chickasaw National Recreation Area remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance.

• Trails

• Boat launches on Lake on the Arbuckles

• Picnic areas 

We recognize that at times like these, parks can fill our needs to be inspired, to find solace, and to connect with the world around us. However, we have a responsibility to ensure this need doesn’t outweigh the protection of our employees and visitors and the protection of these places. We ask the public to please recreate safely and responsibly. Avoid high-risk outdoor activities, stay in your local area and follow Leave No Trace principles. In seeking outdoor recreation, follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and comply with state and local guidance. We urge visitors to park only in designated areas, pack out everything you bring into a park, plan a visit at times other than busiest of the day, maintain social distance from other visitors, and if you encounter a crowded trail-head or overlook, seek another location to recreate.

President Trump recently unveiled new guidelines for Opening Up America Again, a three-phased approach to assist state and local officials in safely reopening their economies, getting people back to work and continuing to protect American lives. In accordance with this guidance and that of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local public health authorities, the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service are working to gradually increase access and our services across all units of the National Park System. The NPS will continue to work alongside state and local officials as these changes are implemented. The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Chickasaw National Recreation Area is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We will notify the public as we gradually resume operations and will provide updates on our website at www.nps.gov/chic and on social media channels.

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. For more information about Chickasaw National Recreation Area, visit www.nps.gov/chic or call [phone].
 

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, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.