Army Corps-managed campgrounds to remain closed until further notice in response to COVID-19

Published May 8, 2020

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District-managed campgrounds will remain closed through at least May 31 due to the concern for public health and safety of its employees and the visiting public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This affects all Corps-managed campgrounds at the following Baltimore District flood-risk management projects: Raystown Lake and Tioga-Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes in Pennsylvania, and Jennings Randolph Lake in West Virginia. Areas managed or leased by other entities on Corps’ lands are required to abide by federal, state and local laws and will follow the terms of their lease/license agreements and will operate at the discretion of the entities.

An official date for the reopening of campgrounds has not yet been determined.

Campers with reservations at campgrounds that remain closed will receive full refunds automatically processed with no cancellation fees. There is no need contact the reservation center to request a refund. If you have a reservation at a campground you know has closed and you have not received a refund, please wait 10 business days after the start date of your reservation for the refund to be received. If you still have not received a refund, please visit www.recreation.gov/contact-us and fill out the “contact us” form at the bottom of the page.

“We are working diligently to develop a responsible reopening plan that prioritizes the health and safety of the visiting public as well as our employees, volunteers, and contractors who manage these campground and day-use facilities,” said Rob Schnell, acting chief of Flood Risk Management, Baltimore District. “We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding during these unprecedented times and look forward to welcoming everyone back as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

The closures also pertain to visitor centers, beaches, special events, volunteer activities, public meetings, interpretive programs and other public gatherings. While most day-use facilities and lake access areas such as boat launches, picnic areas, fishing piers and viewing areas remain open, restrooms that support those facilities are also closed. Certain site-specific closures may vary slightly; we recommend calling your Corps project of choice or visiting their Facebook account for the most up-to-date local information.

The Corps requests that all visitors recreate responsibly when visiting any Baltimore District recreation site so that we can all continue enjoy their beauty while also remaining safe and courteous. Social distancing and other restrictions required by local, state and federal authorities to include the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will be in place.

If these restrictions cannot be followed, recreation areas could be forced to close. Corps lands are also subject to evolving COVID-19 conditions that may cause specific closures in the future.

The public is encouraged to monitor the project web pages on Baltimore District’s website for information and/or follow the relevant pages on social media.

Baltimore District personnel will continue to operate the dams to execute their essential flood risk management mission.


Contact
Cynthia Mitchell
410-962-7522
443-240-5019 (cell)
cynthia.mitchell@usace.army.mil

Release no. 20-009