Visiting Parks and Recreational Facilities

What you need to know

Visit parks and recreation areas that are close to your home.
Don’t visit crowded parks or campgrounds.
Carefully consider use of playgrounds, and help children follow guidelines.
Stay at least 6 feet away from people you don’t live with.
Wear a mask.
Wash your hands often and don’t share items with people you don’t live with.

Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy. In many areas, people can visit parks, trails, and open spaces as a way to relieve stress, get some fresh air, and stay active. While these facilities and areas can offer health benefits, it is important that you follow the steps below to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

When visiting parks, beaches, or recreational facilities open for public use, try to protect against exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by practicing social distancing and everyday steps such as washing hands often and covering coughs and sneezes.

At all parks and recreation areas

Follow these actions when visiting a park, beach, or recreational facility:

Visit parks that are close to your home

Traveling long distances to visit a park may contribute to the spread of COVID-19, as:

Travel may require you to stop along the way or be in close contact with others with whom you may not otherwise have contact.
Travel may also expose you to surfaces contaminated with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Check with the park or recreation area in advance to prepare safely

National, State, or local parks: the federal or State and local authorities will decide whether parks and other recreational facilities will open. Check with the park in advance to be sure you know which areas or services are open, such as visitors’ centers, bathroom facilities, and concessions, and bring what you need with you, such as hand sanitizer or other supplies to maintain proper hygiene.

Beaches or other swimming areas: State and local authorities will decide whether swim areas at oceans, lakes, and other natural bodies of water will be open. Please check with individual beaches for specific details, including whether the water is open for swimming.

Use social distancing and avoid crowded parks

Stay at least 6 feet from people you don’t live with (“social distancing”) at all times. This might make some open areas, trails, and paths better to use than others. Do not go into a crowded area.

Avoid gathering with people you don’t live with.

Avoid crowded parks. Do not visit parks where you cannot stay at least 6 feet away from people you don’t live with.

Wear a mask

Wear a mask as feasible. Masks are most essential in times when social distancing is difficult, including when hiking on trails that may be popular or crowded.

Masks should not be placed on:

Children under age 2
Anyone who has trouble breathing
Anyone who is unconscious, can’t move or is otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance
Masks should not be worn when engaging in activities where the mask might become wet, like when swimming.

Clean hands often

Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Adults and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer: Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and rub hands together until dry, if soap and water are not readily available.

Stay home if you are sick

Do not visit parks if you are sick with, tested positive for COVID-19, or were recently (within 14 days) exposed to COVID-19. If you are sick with or tested positive for COVID-19, were recently exposed (within 14 days) to someone with COVID-19, or just don’t feel well, do not visit public areas including parks or recreational facilities.