MDWFP’s response to COVID-19
7/6/2020 8:47:29 AM
From MDWFP
MDWFP’s response to COVID-19
4/2/2021
From MDWFP
Mississippi State Parks will follow local orders requiring facial coverings or masks to provide for staff and visitor safety. Our main priority is the safety of our guests and staff. We will continue to review operations on a regular basis and make additional operational changes as necessary. Thank you for your understanding in this unprecedented time.
Mississippi State Parks will accept cabin and motel reservations on Thursday – Sunday, with the departure day being Monday. This limitation on cabin and motel reservations is currently active until September 12, 2021. Cabin and motel reservations will not be available on the website, mobile app or Aspira (1-800-467-2757). We ask that you call the park to make your reservation. Please note this limitation may be extended, as we monitor this situation.
All RV campsite reservations are available by website, mobile app, calling the park or Aspira (1-800-467-2757), except primitive. Please call the park to make a primitive reservation. Bathhouses and day-use restrooms are open.
Motel rooms, meeting rooms re-opened May 1, 2021.
**UPDATE September 14**
Under Governor Tate Reeves's amended Safe Return order, group gathering limitations are now at no more than 10 indoors or 50 outdoors when social distancing is not possible. If people are able to social distance, group gatherings are set at no more than 20 indoors or 100 outdoors.
Link to Executive Order: https://mcusercontent.com/08cb3e52aa1308600f84d49ea/files/749d3f71-0804-4048-b1fe-22064fb9a931/Executive_Order_1522_Safe_Return.pdf
**UPDATE July 28, 2020**
Tent camping and bathhouses have re-opened at Mississippi State Parks and State Fishing Lakes. We urge our guests to help us keep our State Parks and State Lakes open by doing their part. Please bag your trash and report any unsanitary situations to the park staff. Respect your neighbor and social distance when possible.
All park pools and swimming at lake beaches are closed for the summer. Buccaneer Bay Waterpark in Waveland and the splash pad at Paul B. Johnson State Park in Hattiesburg are open till September 7, 2020. We ask that you be respectful of others and follow social distancing guidelines while at each park. At this time, Buccaneer Bay will be operating at half capacity.
Clark Creek Natural Area remains closed due to the pandemic.
**UPDATE July 6, 2020**
Tent camping and bathhouses are re-open at Mississippi State Parks and State Fishing Lakes. We urge our guests to help us keep our State Parks and State Fishing Lakes open by doing their part. Please bag your trash and report any unsanitary situations to the park staff. Respect your neighbor and social distance when possible. MDWFP has taken a phased approach to open facilities for the safety of our guests as well as park staff.
Buccaneer Bay Waterpark in Waveland and the Splash Pad at Paul B. Johnson State Park in Hattiesburg are open for the summer. We ask that you please be respectful of others and follow social distancing guidelines while at each park. At this time, Buccaneer Bay will be operating at half capacity.
**UPDATE June 22, 2020**
MDWFP's Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is back open to the public; however, at this time, timed reservations and masks are required. For more information visit: http://www.mdwfp.com/museum/see-visit/admission-directions/?fbclid=IwAR1WSpXZ2Hwu1Xu7eMA-o0k31yBmHsMst8jTjpj_COKnXAkd7aa5c_l1MrE
**UPDATE June 4, 2020**
State Park offices and cabins are scheduled to reopen June 4. Cabins will reopen for limited/restricted reservations for Thursday through Sunday with a departure day of Monday. All reservations must be made by calling the park; online reservations will not be available.
There will be a limited opening of water features this year at Mississippi State Parks. The Splash Pad at Paul B. Johnson State Park in Hattiesburg will open to the public on June 11.
At this time RV camping, hiking, fishing, nature trails, and other activities remain open. Tent camping, bathhouses, and the Clark Creek Natural Area remain closed until further notice.
Please remember we all must take responsibility and practice social distancing while enjoying the outdoors. At this time, public and private social gatherings and recreational activities shall be limited to groups of no more than 100 people in an outdoor space where individuals are able to maintain a minimum of 6 feet separation.
**UPDATE May 6, 2020**
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) for the safety of our employees and the public and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has made the following temporary changes to its business operations. All changes will remain in effect until further notice.
Closure Details
- State and regional offices are currently closed to the public.
- State Parks and State Lakes are open to self-contained RV camping and outdoor recreation activities including:
- Day use areas
- Group gatherings/activities (limited to a maximum of 20 participants outdoor)
- Hiking and Bike Trails
- Fishing Lake Piers (maintaining social distancing of a minimum of six feet separation between each individual)
- Clark Creek Natural Area and Trace Lake remain closed to the public.
- The North Mississippi Visitor Education Center remains closed to the public.
- MDWFP Wildlife Management Areas are open.
During this time, all personnel not assigned to state and regional offices will continue to provide services statewide and remain fully operational.
MDWFP actions are pursuant to Governor Tate Reeves Executive Order #1466.
Reporting a Hunting Violation
If you have a hunting violation or an emergency that you need to report please call 1-800-BE-SMART.
We ask that you continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC and the Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) regarding COVID-19. Information regarding COVID-19 can be found on the MDH website: msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,420.html
We apologize for any inconvenience during this time and we thank you for your cooperation.
Stay up to date by visiting our website at www.mdwfp.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.
