News Release

Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks are adding access for visitor services

Date: September 15, 2020
Contact: Dawn Davis, 843-297-6051

Release Date: ImmediateContact:          Dawn Davis, 843-297-6051 or [e-mail]
Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks are adding access for visitor services
Gaffney, SC – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Ninety Six National Historic Site (NHS), Cowpens National Battlefield (NB), and Kings Mountain National Military Park (NMP) are all increasing access.. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide 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.Beginning September 16, 2020, Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks will reopen access to:  

• Outdoor visitor services area with staff will be open 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Wednesday – Friday
• Traffic flow of visitors will be controlled. One-way entry/exit.
• Interpretive programming will resume with the use of voice amplification, limited to no more than 10 people, maintaining social distancing.
• Limited America’s National Parks™ store sales will resume in outdoor area.

In addition, the following spaces continue to be available:   

• All grounds, trails and parking lots
• Cowpens NB tour road for motorized vehicles.
• Cowpens NB restrooms located near visitor center and picnic area.
• Ninety Six NHS Star Fort Pond area including: parking, boat launch, fishing pier, shore fishing. Fishing is allowed 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, now through November 1.   
• Ninety Six NHS restrooms located near visitor center.
• Kings Mountain NMP restrooms located near visitor center

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed:

• All park visitor centers
• Ninety Six Star Fort Pond area - no portable restrooms/wash stations 

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Cowpens National Battlefield, our operational approach continues to be centered public health guidance and are regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public areas and workspaces are safe and clean. A safe and enjoyable park experience begins at home. The NPS encourages visitors to plan their visit by checking the park’s website and social media for current conditions and travel tips. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We ask the public to be our partner in recreating responsibly, by following CDC and state and local guidance, social distancing, and wearing a face covering when social distance cannot be maintained.Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/cowp and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.www.nps.govAbout 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.