NM state parks closing

[Calicia]

I’m in a New Mexico state park and I just got a knock on the door that I have to leave tomorrow because NM is closing all of their parks until April 10. I was really hoping to isolate myself for the next month in state parks but the ranger said that other states will probably close their parks also. The day use will continue to be open but camping is closed. I really can’t see myself living in Walmarts for the next month. I also have reservations in national parks but those may close also. BLM’s will probably be my best alternative.

Calicia

[gbaglo]

Here's a news story.
https://www.ktsm.com/local/new-mexic...night-camping/

[Rossue]

"Never let a crisis go to waste".

[gbaglo]

Co-mingling Campers Create Corona Crisis.
Empty bottles and lime slices litter park.

[Rossue]

Yeah, what's next- ordering groceries on Amazon?

[Mike Lewis]

Wow, that's not good. I would think campers in state parks would be relatively isolated from large groups and not pose a threat to themselves and others, as long as they aren't participating in an organized event. I hope this idea doesn't catch on. They should just close the group campsites imho.

[steve dunham]

There has been several articles in the news stating that the Federal Government is considering quarantining California and the State of Washington , a far more serious and draconian action than States closing down a few public campgrounds . In the total scheme of things , what New Mexico did is only a minor inconvenience inflicted on a minority of citizens
I for one am glad that some state have taken the lead and not sat idly by waiting for others to act .

[Mike Lewis]

But then, perhaps NM is planning to send personnel home and doesn't think it will have enough people to maintain the campgrounds. That could be it.

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

But then, perhaps NM is planning to send personnel home and doesn't think it will have enough people to maintain the campgrounds. That could be it.

Other states are considering shutting down non essential services and transferring the freed up personnel to more critical work assignments . It may be as simple as a wise and prudent use of their workforce. I would assume that maintaining services at state campgrounds is pretty low on the priority list at least I would hope that is the case considering the severity of the present situation ..

[padlin]

It's going to be a hassle for all the full timers if all the campgrounds start to close up. Not a lot of other options on the east coast.


We're heading home a couple weeks early, from all campers we saw headed north yesterday we're not alone.

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by padlin

It's going to be a hassle for all the full timers if all the campgrounds start to close up. Not a lot of other options on the east coast.


We're heading home a couple weeks early, from all campers we saw headed north yesterday we're not alone.

The NM state parks are very popular with full timers. For only $225 you can camp for an entire year in any of the parks. Nice having your annual camping cost caped at $225*.
* That’s for a non-electric site so some basic solar power would be needed. If you wanted a site with electric you would have to pay $4/day.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by padlin

It's going to be a hassle for all the full timers if all the campgrounds start to close up. Not a lot of other options on the east coast.


We're heading home a couple weeks early, from all campers we saw headed north yesterday we're not alone.

I saw a news article yesterday noting the snowbirds heading north early. The New Mexico action was no doubt looked at from many angles. The use of a common restroom and the limited personnel who cannot clean after every use even if they wanted to might have figured into the decision. We’re monitoring developments daily and hope everyone stays as safe as possible during this Pandemic.
Iowa Dave

[Dave Walter]

Seems like a huge over-reaction to me. People living in apartments, townhouses and attached housing would be much closer to their neighbors than campers in a state or provincial park! Seems like herd mentality at its worst.

[Merlin]

NM park closures are part of a larger effort to slow the spread of the virus. Heath care systems here will likely be overloaded so slowing down things will help.


Don't forget to wash your hands. :-)

[Lanark Camper]

This Interview is almost a week old and this is a changing situation but it does help to understand the situation we are in, where we are going and why,

https://youtu.be/dcJDpV-igjs

Stay healthy, Bob

[Vermilye]

I'm in Texas now, heading back to upstate NY. Should make for an interesting trip!

[Donna D.]

It's easy to assume why parks are/could be closing. But perhaps the real reason isn't for anything you even thought about. This is happening in parts of California. Now does it make sense?

[MyronL]

Took ET19 back to Tom's RV in ABQ yesterday, and with the closures in the state wouldn't be camping anyway. Hope this time they find my fridge on propane problem. Anyway, Tom had nice things to say about Escape trailers. Mine is the second one he's had in the lot this month. Enjoyed seeing my second Happier Camper there.

[gabeck]

Originally Posted by Lanark Camper

This Interview is almost a week old and this is a changing situation but it does help to understand the situation we are in, where we are going and why,

https://youtu.be/dcJDpV-igjs

Stay healthy, Bob

Well worth the time, thanks for posting this.

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

It's easy to assume why parks are/could be closing. But perhaps the real reason isn't for anything you even thought about. This is happening in parts of California. Now does it make sense?

Yes, it does. I had reservations at a federal campground at Lake Sonoma for the week of March 1. I received an email a week ahead of time that said the reservation was cancelled and I got a refund. I didn't call to find out why, but I assumed FEMA was going to use the park to house refugees from the Paradise fire a while back. Refugees from the fire are in other parks already, specifically the Santa Rosa fairgrounds park and another part of the Lake Sonoma area.