CLOSURES: NATIONAL | TRIBAL |STATE | COUNTY
It’s hurricane season, and we have a serious health emergency going on. We are continuing to monitor where federal, state, and county land managers are limiting access to public lands.
We’ve also added in known closures of privately-managed conservancy lands. Please check for those under the appropriate county.
These are the closures and restrictions we are aware of.
Planning to play outdoors? Pack out what you bring in: do not add to trash cleanup needs. Do not visit a park if you are sick.
If you plan to day hike, please choose less-busy destinations such as state forests, wildlife management areas, county natural lands or water management district lands.
Paddlers and cyclists will find it easy to maintain a 6-foot distance from others except at trailheads and launch points. Be cautious in those areas and avoid touching surfaces whenever possible.
We continue to encourage you to stay local in your outdoor explorations. Check the bottom of any of our web pages for a list of Florida cities to find trails near you.
Federally-Managed Public Lands
National Parks in Florida
- Big Cypress National Preserve: All campgrounds and trails reopened, along with the main visitor center in Ochopee. Oasis Visitor Center remains closed. All reservations and payments must be made online. Public Notice.
- Biscayne National Park: Park waters are open, along with the kayak launch, restrooms, and trail at Convoy Point as well as access to Boca Chita, Elliott, and Adams Keys. Rafting of vessels prohibited in park waters. The Dante Fascell Visitor Center remains closed Public Notice.
- Canaveral National Seashore: Starting Aug 29, normal operating hours of 6 AM to 8 PM resume at Playalinda and Apollo Beach. Apollo Visitor Center open 9 AM to 5 PM. Backcountry campsite reservations are again available, as well as backcountry hiking passes for Klondike Beach. Group limits apply. Public Notice.
- De Soto National Memorial: Parking lot and trails are open. Visitor center and restrooms closed. Public Notice.
- Castillo De San Marcos, St. Augustine. Grounds open, all buildings including the fort are closed. Public Notice.
- DeSoto National Memorial, Bradenton. Trails are open. Visitor center and restrooms remain closed. Public Notice.
- Dry Tortugas National Park: Concession tours to the park have resumed. Campground has reopened. Garden and Loggerhead Keys are open from sunrise to sunset. Marine waters and harbors remain open. Entrance fees apply. Boater caution necessary as park waters have not been inspected. Public Notice.
- Everglades National Park: All units open. Campgrounds and backcountry camping reopened. Tours have resumed with social distancing and masks required per Miami-Dade ordinance. Public Notice.
- Fort Matanzas, St. Augustine. Beaches open. All public buildings and nature trail remain closed. Public Notice.
- Gulf Islands National Seashore: ALL AREAS CLOSED due to Hurricane Sally damage recovery efforts. Public Notice.
- Timucuan Ecological & Cultural Preserve, Jacksonville: Trails at Theodore Roosevelt Area and Spanish Pond are open. Trails at Cedar Point, and the boat ramp there, are open. Fort Caroline, Ribault Column, and Kingsley Plantation remain closed. Public Notice.
National Forests in Florida
The USFS publishes a Recreation Conditions Report for each forest. Please consult these for exact details of what is closed. Apalachicola, Osceola, Ocala.
Apalachicola National Forest: Closures include GF&A Trail, Leon Sinks, Wright Lake. Trails and campgrounds are otherwise open. Dispersed camping permitted.
Osceola National Forest: Closures include Ocean Pond Campground and Wiggins Landing. Trails are open. Dispersed camping is permitted.
Ocala National Forest: Closures include Big Bass Campground, Big Scrub Campground, Blue Sink OHV, Doe Lake, Farles Prairie, Fore Lake, Fort Gates Ferry, Juniper Run (shuttle), Lake Delancy East and West, Lake Dorr, Lake Eaton Campground, Lake Eaton Sinkhole Trail, Lake Eaton Trail, Lake Shore Group Camp, Pittman Visitor Center, River Forest Group Camp, Rodman Recreation Area, Shanty Pond Campground. Individuals may paddle Juniper Run if they self-shuttle and bring their own gear.
Questions? For Ocala, call 352-625-2520; Osceola, 386-752-2577; Apalachicola, 850-643-2282.
National Estuarine Research Reserves
Environmental Learning Center closed at Rookery Bay NERR in Naples.
At Apalachicola NERR, remote access trails and beaches are open but the visitor center and its boardwalks remain closed.
GTM Reserve – Guana Trails, Guana Dam, North, Middle, and South Beaches are open. Visitor center remains closed.
National Wildlife Refuges
Visitor centers at the following refuges are closed: Crocodile Lake, Crystal River, Ding Darling, Florida Keys, Hobe Sound, Loxahatchee, Merritt Island, National Key Deer Refuge, St. Marks, Welaka Fish Hatchery. Public Notice for all Florida NWRs.
In addition, the Atlantic Coast Beach is closed at Hobe Sound NWR. At Merritt Island NWR, Biolab Rd and Manatee Observation remain closed.
Army Corps of Engineers
Caloosahatchee River & Lake Okeechobee – According to their Recreation web page, they are open.
Lake Seminole – Campgrounds have reopened but no walk-ins allowed. Sites must be booked and paid for online. Follow their Facebook page for up-to-date status.
Air Force Recreation
Avon Park Air Force Range – The public recreation area has reopened to permit holders. Permits available online. Public Notice.
Eglin Air Force Base – Jackson Guard reopened. Do not walk in at the Jackson Guard Visitor Center without a face mask. Camping permits are available. Only remaining closure is West Pass Beach and Parking Area. Monitor iSportsman for updates. HURRICANE SALLY: Flood damage likely to the Florida Trail. No assessment yet as waters are still rising. Known damage to Bob Sikes Rd by floodwaters of Alaqua Creek. It is impassible between DeFuniak Springs and the Alaqua Trailhead.
Tribal Lands
The Seminole Tribe of Florida has closed Billie Swamp Safari, Big Cypress RV Park, and the Florida Trail through Big Cypress Reservation until further notice. Public Notice.
Florida Trail
Florida National Scenic Trail – Open. Their Gainesville office remains closed. Hikers should use social distancing precautions and follow local ordinances.
High water and wind damage during Hurricane Sally means cleanup underway in Eglin and Blackwater. The Seashore section is mostly inaccessible due to Gulf Islands National Seashore closures. No opening date is given.
Please see the Florida Trail Association’s new operating procedures before participating in any group hike or work project.
Notices to Hikers before heading out to a particular trail segment.
State-Managed Public Lands
Florida State Parks – All Florida State Parks are following local orders requiring facial coverings or masks to provide for staff and visitor safety. Online payments are requested in advance of your visit for contactless entry.
Campgrounds are currently closed at Florida Caverns, Little Manatee, and St. Joseph Peninsula due to hurricane damage and/or reconstruction efforts. Campgrounds are partially closed at Cayo Costa, Rainbow Springs, and Suwannee River for social distancing and/or construction work.
Walk-in sites are NOT available. See this notice for current status and a list of parks where masks are required when using indoor facilities. Public Notice.
Ybor City Museum State Park in Tampa remains closed.
Florida State Forests – Mostly open. All fees, including day use fees, must be paid in advance online. The following recreation areas are closed: Krul Recreation Area, Krul Campground, Clear Creek OHV Campground, and Sweetwater Trail at Blackwater River State Forest; River Junction Day Use and Campground, and CMA Technical Riding Area at Withlacoochee State Forest. Public Notice.
Florida Fish & Wildlife WEAs and WMAs – Since FWC works in partnership with other land management agencies on many WMAs, check this list before you go: Status Updates.
Water Management Districts. Florida has five water management districts controlling public land access in our river basins. Each sets its own policies, listed below.
Northwest Florida Water Management District (Florida Panhandle): These remain closed for renovations: Devil’s Hole, Longleaf, Seashell, and Seven Runs trailhead. Current Status
South Florida Water Management District: Reopened all its public lands. Camping remains closed at DuPuis Management Area, Hickory Hammock, Istokpoga Canal Boat Ramp Area, Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW). Current Status.
Southwest Florida Water Management District: Campgrounds and backcountry camping open at partial capacity. Remaining closures: Alston Tract, Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal. Current Status.
St. Johns River Water Management District: District lands and camping areas open. Construction-related closures include Bayard Conservation Area and Blue Cypress Conservation Area. Current Status.
Suwannee River Water Management District: Closures for land management purposes include the roads at the Mount Gilead Tract along the Florida Trail south of Lamont, and Mon-Fri at Gar Pond Tract in White Springs. Public Notices.
County-Managed Public Lands
QUICK OVERVIEW: All counties reopened most parks and beaches by early June. The Pensacola Bay Bridge was damaged during Hurricane Sally and may not reopen before March 2021, affecting access to Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach.
Alachua (Gainesville, High Springs) – Poe Springs Park open Fri-Sun at 50% capacity, closed weekdays. Public Notices
Baker (Glen St. Mary) – St. Mary’s Shoals Park is only open Fri-Sun. Public Notice.
Bay (Panama City Beach / Panama City) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Bradford (Starke) – No closures listed. County Information.
Brevard (Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Titusville) – No closures listed. Public Notice.
Broward (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood) – Park closures include Boulevard Gardens, Brian Piccolo, C.B. Smith, Carpenter House, Central Brevard Park, Deerfield Highlands Nature Preserve, Deerfield Island, Franklin, Lafayette Hart, Roosevelt Gardens, Vista View. Public Notice.
Calhoun (Blountstown) – No closures. Find a Park.
Charlotte (Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda) – Reservations required for aquatic activities. Touchless or pre-payment required for beach parking. Face coverings required for restroom use. Recreation centers are starting to reopen.Public Notice.
Citrus (Crystal River, Inverness) – All county parks reopened on May 1.
Clay (Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights, Orange Park) – No closures. Reservations required for the city pool at Green Cove Springs. Public Notice.
Collier (Naples, Everglades City) – Conservation lands open but no camping permitted. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary reopens Oct 3 with pre-registration required for visits. CREW Bird Rookery has closed their trail as they are working on the entrance boardwalk. More details for County Parks and Natural Areas.
Columbia (Lake City) – County parks are open. Recreation centers remain closed. Public Notice.
DeSoto (Arcadia) – County parks open for active daytime use. See restrictions.
Dixie (Cross City, Old Town) – No closures listed. Public Notice.
Duval (Jacksonville) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Escambia (Pensacola) – HURRICANE SALLY damage may impact local parks for some time. Public Notice.
Flagler (Flagler Beach, Palm Coast) – No closures listed. Public Notice.
Franklin (Apalachicola, St. George Island) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Gadsden (Chattahoochee, Quincy) – No closures listed. Public Notice.
Gilchrist (Trenton) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Glades (Lakeport, Palmdale, Moore Haven) – No closures listed.
Gulf (Port St. Joe) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Hamilton (Jasper, White Springs) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Hendry (Clewiston, Labelle) – No closures listed. Public Notices.
Hernando (Brooksville, Spring Hill) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Highlands (Lake Placid, Sebring) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Hillsborough (Plant City, Tampa) – No closures listed, but certain facilities within parks, like swimming areas, remain closed. Learn more.
Holmes (Bonifay) – No closures listed. Public Notice.
Indian River (Sebastian, Vero Beach) – All playgrounds are closed. Public Notice.
Jackson (Marianna) – No closures listed. Public Notice.
Jefferson (Monticello) – No closures listed.
Lake (Clermont, Eustis, Leesburg, Mount Dora) – Parks and trails are open. Public Notice.
Lafayette (Mayo) – No closures listed.
Lee (Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel) – Beaches, parks, and preserves are open, some with new restrictions. See the Map.
Leon (Tallahassee) – Greenways and trails are open. County campgrounds have reopened. Playgrounds and recreation centers remain closed. Public Notice
Levy (Cedar Key, Chiefland, Williston) – Henry Beck Parks is closed. The SR 40 boat ramp remains closed for reconstruction. Public Notice.
Liberty (Bristol) – No closures listed.
Madison (Madison) – Cherry Lake Beach and Boat Ramp, the Madison County Recreation Park, the Agricultural Center, and some other small parks remain closed. Public Notice.
Manatee (Bradenton) – Closed parks include: Leffis Key Preserve. Other parks may have certain facilities closed like playgrounds. Details: Public Notice.
Marion (Dunnellon, Ocala, Silver Springs) – All county parks and recreation areas are open. Public Notice.
Martin (Stuart) – County lands open. The Nature Conservancy has not reopened Blowing Rocks Preserve. Face coverings required in all public places. Public Notice.
Miami-Dade (Homestead, Miami) – Parks have reopened for passive use. Priority is given to senior access for the first two hours each day. Face coverings required. Playgrounds and picnic pavilions remain off-limits. Gatherings are prohibited. Please see the full details about their new rules. Find a Park.
Monroe (Florida Keys) – Beaches and parks are open with varying restrictions by community. In general, picnic pavilions and playgrounds are closed. Masks are required throughout the Florida Keys.
Full details.
Nassau (Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach) – No closures listed. Public Notice.
Okaloosa (Crestview, Destin, Niceville, Fort Walton Beach) – HURRICANE SALLY damage may impact local parks for some time. Riverfront parks near Crestview are currently under water. Public Notice.
Okeechobee (Okeechobee) – No closures listed. Public Notice.
Orange (Christmas, Ocoee, Orlando) – Kelly Park swimming area and the Fort Gatlin Pool remain closed, as well as playgrounds in parks. Public Notices.
Osceola (Kissimmee, St. Cloud) – No closures listed by the county, but Disney Wilderness Preserve, managed by The Nature Conservancy, remains closed. Face coverings required if social distancing not possible. Public Notice.
Palm Beach (Boca Raton, Jupiter, Pahokee, West Palm Beach) – Peanut Island is closed. List of restrictions and partial closures: Public Notice.
Pasco (Dade City, New Port Richey, Zephyrhills) – No closures listed. Park Status.
Pinellas (Clearwater, Dunedin, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs) – Environmental centers at Brooker Creek and Weedon Island remain closed. Public Notice.
Polk (Frostproof, Lakeland, Lake Wales, Winter Haven) – No park closures are listed. FWC has permanently fenced off access from Saddle Creek Park into Tenoroc WMA, effectively closing the connector trail built years ago by FTA. Public Notice.
Putnam (Palatka, Welaka) – Project Play park at John Theobold Park is closed. Public Notices.
Santa Rosa (Milton, Navarre) – HURRICANE SALLY damage may impact local parks for some time. Public Notices.
Sarasota (Sarasota, Venice) – Warm Mineral Springs has reopened, as have playgrounds in county parks. Knight Trail Park Pistol and Rifle Range is temporarily closed. Parks page.
Seminole (Altamonte Springs, Oviedo, Sanford) – No closures listed other than the main building at Lake Sylvan Park. Make reservations online. Public Notice.
St. Lucie (Fort Pierce) – All programs suspended. Pinelands Preserve is closed. Find a Preserve.
St. Johns (St. Augustine) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Sumter (Bushnell, The Villages) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Suwannee (Live Oak) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Taylor (Perry) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Union (Lake Butler) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Wakulla (Crawfordville, Sopchoppy, St. Marks) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Walton (DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, South Walton 30A) – HURRICANE SALLY damage may impact local parks. Coastal dune lake flooding affects CR 30A. Find a Park.
Washington (Chipley) – No closures listed. Find a Park.
Volusia (Daytona Beach, DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach) – No closures listed. Playgrounds have reopened in all parks. Find a Park.