Officials with Maine’s Baxter State Park have ended the park’s winter camping season early due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, officials said they would end the season yesterday at sunset. Winter camping and access above treeline typically ends in the park on March 31 in an effort to protect resources.
Officials said the move was in response to recommendations from the federal and state Centers for Disease Control.
The park will remain open for use below treeline, but all Katahdin and Traveler trails will be closed at the trailheads. Togue Pond and Matagamon Gates will be closed to motorized access.
Camping will not be permitted in the park until the start of the summer season. Existing winter camping reservations will be cancelled, and park staff will contact those affected to issue full refunds.
The park is continuing to take summer reservations, but officials said they will continue to monitor the virus outbreak and assess how it might impact park operations later in the year.