Oregon State Parks closure extended due to coronavirus

Oregon State Parks will not reopen as soon as expected. The parks will now remain closed beyond May 8 due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.

Camping and day-use reservations in state parks have been canceled from May 8 through May 25 and officials said more cancelations are likely. Site fees will be refunded.

"This is the hardest thing we've ever had to do. We'd hoped people would protect themselves, and more importantly, others by limiting their travel just to short trips to places with space. That didn't happen," state parks officials said in a release issued Tuesday.

Officials said they understand people need to get outside, but traveling to state parks puts people in rural areas at risk.

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State parks officials recommend people get outdoors in their own neighborhood. They ask people to avoid traveling to any popular recreation hotspots.