News Release

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is beginning to increase recreational access to park grounds and trails

NPS Photo / Junelle Lawry

News Release Date: June 8, 2020

Contact: Tracy Fortmann, Superintendent, 360-901-4978

Contact: Alex Patterson, Facility Manager, 360-921-6240

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (NHS) is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide 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 Tuesday, June 9, Fort Vancouver NHS will reopen access to:

• Parking lots and park road

In addition, entry fees are waived, and the following spaces continue to be available:

• Grounds and trails

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

• Visitor Center and adjacent playground, Pearson Air Museum, reconstructed Fort located in Vancouver, Washington.
• Barclay House at the McLoughlin House Unit located in Oregon City, Oregon (the McLoughlin House remains closed for rehabilitation).

"While we cannot yet return to full operations, we are taking steps to make sure our community may continue to enjoy their local national park," said Superintendent Tracy Fortmann. "We will be opening parking lots and park roads to make access to the grounds and trails easier. In addition, we will have rangers periodically roving the park to greet visitors and answer questions. We would like to thank our community for their patience during these challenging times, and for visiting the park responsibly."

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Fort Vancouver NHS 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 from Clark County Public Health, practice Leave No Trace principles, 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 content from Fort Vancouver NHS, all of the time, so for people who are still home schooling or not traveling at this time, check out Fort Vancouver From Home.

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.