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National Park Face Mask Requirements Are Returning Due to Rising Case Numbers

News National Parks
by Olivia Harden Jul 10, 2022

If you’re planning on enjoying one of the country’s national parks this summer, you might want to make sure you’re stocked up on masks before you leave. A surge in COVID-19 cases is causing many parks to reintroduce masks mandates.

Rules about masks vary depending on the park and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Community Levels tool. In areas the CDC identifies with a high COVID-19 community level, masks are required regardless of vaccination status. In most low and medium COVID-19 community level areas, masks are optional, however visitors should use policies enforced at staff and volunteer discretion. In all parks, masks are required on all forms of enclosed public transportation. So far, six national parks have reinstated mask mandates according to the National Park Service website.

Seqouia and Kings Canyon mask mandate

Wearing a mask is currently required inside all park buildings regardless of vaccination status.

Rocky Mountains mask mandate

Due to the the high levels of transmission within Larimer and Boulder Counties, masks are advised for Beaver Meadows VC, Moraine Park Discovery Center, Fall River VC, Alpine VC, on the Hiker Shuttle, and on in-park shuttle buses.

Grand Teton mask mandate

Masks are required in all park buildings in Grand Teton National Park, regardless of vaccination status, including, but not limited to, visitor centers, administrative offices, lodges, gift shops, and restaurants.

Masks are now required in all park buildings within Grand Canyon National Park, regardless of vaccination status. Park buildings include, but are not limited to visitor centers, administrative offices, lodges, gift shops, and restaurants everywhere within Grand Canyon.

Denali mask mandate

According to the Associated Press, park officials say Masks covering the nose and mouth will be required for everyone over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status. They must be worn in all common and shared workspaces in buildings owned or controlled by the National Park Service, including visitor centers, lodges, gift shops and restaurants. Masks also are required to ride buses and courtesy shuttles inside the park.

Yellowstone mask mandate

Masks are required for everyone in all NPS buildings and enclosed public transportation, regardless of vaccination status.

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