State Parks closes Turlock Lake campground to help stop COVID-19, but day use OK
California State Parks is temporarily closing Turlock Lake State Recreation Area’s campground as of Friday to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus, but still will allow day use, including boating and fishing.
This comes as Stanislaus County remains on the state watch list because of its surge in COVID-19, which is the disease caused by the virus, as county officials have made similar restrictions at Woodward and Modesto reservoirs.
County officials announced in late July that only Stanislaus County residents would be allowed to use the two reservoirs. Officials reported then that slightly more than three-quarters of camping reservations in July were for people who did not live in the county. Day users were not checked for their residences.
“This summer ... Turlock Lake SRA has seen a surge in visitation, prompting concerns about public health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to a State Parks news release. The release said the decision was made in partnership with the county’s Emergency Operations Center and local public health officials.
Campers with reservations are being contacted through email by ReserveCalifornia and refunds will be issued, according to the release.
California State Parks is advising people to skip long road trips and stay close to home, practice physical distancing and other safeguards to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. State Parks said in its news release that it is monitoring its parks and “if unsafe conditions develop, parks and beaches may need to decrease access in certain areas.”
This story was originally published August 7, 2020 at 4:30 AM.
