"As the National Park System continues to shut down in piecemeal fashion, a few complete units here, some visitor centers there, the National Parks Conservation Association is calling for the entire park system to be closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
For weeks now the closures have trickled in, with more than 20 "national parks" closed, and dozens of other units (national monuments, national historical parks, national historic sites, etc.) closed as well. On Friday the North Cascades National Park Complex, which includes North Cascades National Park, will close. Grand Canyon National Park closed on Wednesday, and there are media reports in Utah that Springdale, Utah, the gateway town to Zion National Park, wants that park to be closed.
Dozens of other units have closed visitor centers, campgrounds, or both.
Earlier this week the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks called on Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to support superintendents who believe their parks should be shuttered for the safety of the public and their staff."
Kurt Repanshek reports for National Parks Traveler April 2, 2020.
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