Colorado Parks & Wildlife Extends Ban on Camping in State Parks Until May 4

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officially announced that the statewide campground and camping facility closure will be extended at all state parks through May 4. According to OutThere Colorado, this extension is based on Governor Polis’ ‘safer-at-home’ order, which encourages people to recreate close to home and avoid spots where human crowding may occur. The ban on dispersed camping at state parks has also been extended.

• RELATED: Aspen, CO Enforces Mandatory Mask Order

Colorado’s state parks will remain open in a limited capacity with select closures of certain facilities. Playgrounds, picnic areas, campgrounds, dispersed camping, and camping facilities are also closed through May 4. Camping in any Colorado state park will be prohibited until May 4 as well.

The start of turkey season was also delayed until May 2. It is likely that the push back of turkey season was extended for similar reasons as the camping ban because both activities encourage travel.

The official announcement by Colorado Parks & Wildlife can be viewed below: 

​COVID-19 Update – 4/28/20 7:45 p.m.

Update April 28, 2020: Colorado Parks and Wildlife campgrounds will remain closed through May 4, 2020, and it is possible campground closures may be extended further. CPW is extending its closure of all campgrounds and camping facilities (including yurts and cabins) at Colorado’s state parks through May 4th. This action has been taken based on the Safer At Home Order from Colorado Governor Jared Polis and the advice of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Reservations with departure dates through May 4th have been canceled for a full refund – no action is needed by these customers. If your reservation extends past May 4th, your reservation has been changed to start May 5th and continue for the remainder of the dates requested. See State Park Operations section below for additional details.

Update April 9, 2020: Colorado counties, municipalities, and land management agencies continue to update their COVID-19 guidance including travel restrictions, road closures, and access limitations on a regular basis. Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds anglers, hunters, and all other outdoor recreationists that it is your responsibility to research and understand the specific guidance, ordinances and restrictions in place for any planned local recreation – know before you go. 

Effective April 6, 2020: Colorado Parks and Wildlife has delayed the opening of the turkey hunting season in Yuma County until May 2. The decision was made in response to the Yuma County Commission’s request to delay the hunting season in their area to avoid an influx of traveling hunters to the rural community with limited health care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the Turkey Hunting section below for refund and preference point information.

Effective March 26, 2020: Colorado State Parks remain open, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) will close all playgrounds, picnic areas, campgrounds, dispersed camping and camping facilities (including yurts and cabins) at Colorado’s state parks as well as camping at State Wildlife Areas effective Thursday, March 26 until at least May 4, 2020, and closures may be extended.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife visitor centers, service centers and offices are also continuing to restrict access to the public. Restrictions and closures remain subject to change.

We know you have questions regarding the rapidly evolving scenario that surrounds COVID-19, and how Colorado Parks and Wildlife is responding to keep your family healthy during your visits to our parks and offices.

• Customer, volunteer and employee safety is our top priority, and we take your health and well-being seriously.

• We are committed to providing our regular services at the highest level possible while also ensuring that everyone is safe.