News Release

Re-opening

Date: May 23, 2020
Contact: Kevin Mohr, 580-497-2742

CHEYENNE, Oklahoma: – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, the National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning May 23, 2020, Washita Battlefield National Historic Site will reopen access to:  

Outdoor ranger programs with social distancing, assuming Oklahoma Governor’s “Open Up and Recover Safely” criteria are met. Based upon availability and subject to change without notice, from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, Rangers will be available at 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays at the Overlook. For the remaining days, Sunday through Friday, Rangers are on demand for on-site ranger-guided tours or talks. To schedule a program, contact the park by phone, 580-497-2742, or email [e-mail].

Beginning June 2, 2020, Washita Battlefield National Historic Site will reopen access to:

Visitor Center and all facilities, assuming Oklahoma Governor’s “Open Up and Recover Safely” criteria are met.

The following spaces continue to be available:   

The Overlook area, vault toilet, and trail

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, 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.  

When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, 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 to 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.