Big Bend National Park closes after resident tests positive for COVID-19

Big Bend National Park will close effective July 2 because of a positive case of COVID-19 within the park residential community.

No entry into the park will be permitted except to employees, residents and other authorized people, the park said in a statement, adding that it is acting according to a COVID-19 operations plan developed alongside public health professionals.

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"We are working closely with our state and local partners during this closure," Big Bend National Park Superintendent Bob Krumenaker said in the statement. "Healthy NPS employees will continue to work behind the scenes, improving the condition of the park, with strict adherence to social distancing and safety protocols to assure their safety. We look forward to reopening the park, when the timing is right, as safely as possible."

The park had closed after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic but reopened in early June with added precautions in place.

Park staff said the closure is expected to last 14 days but could be extended if there are more positive cases.

For the latest updates on the park, visit nps.gov/bibe.

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