Bryce Canyon Latest National Park to Close Due To COVID-19

BRYCE, Utah – Bryce Canyon has joined the growing list of closed national parks in Utah.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all park areas will close until further notice on Tuesday at 5 p.m., according to officials with the National Park Service.

“We have been working closely with Garfield County and the state of Utah to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the state’s ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ order,” said park Superintendent Linda Mazzu said. “Continued visitation to Bryce Canyon made it hard to maintain the thresholds needed to ensure a safe visit, which is why this temporary closure is so important. I’d like to express my appreciation to Garfield County for taking the initial steps in this process. Your support for Bryce Canyon National Park and our communities is greatly appreciated.”

Arches and Canyonlands national parks closed at the end of March while Zion National Park was closed to visitors on April 3.

The other member of Utah’s “Mighty Five” parks, Capitol Reef National Park, closed its scenic drive and visitors center on Monday. State Route 24, which passes through the park, remains open, along with some restrooms and trails.

Governor Gary Herbert also closed all state parks to visitors from outside the county where the park is located to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

---

Coronavirus Resources

• Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.
• What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
• What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
• Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
• The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.
• Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?

How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your 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. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

How To Get Help

If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.

Additional Resources

If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.