Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

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With Tropical Storm Isaias on a path to the Virginia coast, it seems like a great time to share our policy related to park closures and evacuations.

Downed trees and limbs are of particular threats in a high wind storm

From the first hint that a hurricane or significant weather event is heading our way, Virginia Department of Emergency Management schedules conference calls for Federal, State and Local officials and major utility providers to discuss preparedness for the storm.

From our perspective, the safety of our visitors is of paramount concern and Virginia State Parks has an official policy that helps us decide when it is prudent to close our facilities and make our overnight and day guests leave the park.

We do not make the decision lightly. Our official policy related to Tropical Weather and storm events can be found here:

The State Parks Director or her designee shall order the closure of all facilities under the following conditions:

Tropical Weather and storm events not directly
associated with a tropical cyclone
*A DCR site will be closed to the public whenever the site is declared to be under a Hurricane Force Wind Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, Hurricane Watch or Hurricane Warning as defined by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA).
*Closure at this level of threat is done with the understanding that the public’s presence in a DCR site is far more discretionary than that of local residents. Compelling their departure at an earlier stage of a threat minimizes their potential to complicate or even add to the congestion associated with a general evacuation of an area at a later stage of the threat. Further, their early departure provides staff the opportunity to concentrate on safety of resident staff and their families and
facility protection.

Similar closure policies exist for river flooding and winter storms.

Our official call to close a park or facilities is the trigger for when we waive collection fees. Prior to that determination, guests are free to cancel using our standard cancelation policy. You can always check out current conditions on the NOAA weather site.

When we first become concerned that we may have an event that will possibly require a closure, we will allow a liberal transfer policy to another date. Camping transfers are allowed for the next day, so it is generally cabin stays that usually require a 4 night advance transfer that benefit from the liberal transfer policy.

Fees waived cancellations are not offered unless we close the park over overnight facilities in the park. The Governor may declare a state of emergency well in advance of any decision we make to close. This is done to mobilize emergency preparedness operations in the state and does not mean that conditions are dangerous or impending. Consequently, we do not waive fees at the declaration.

Sometimes our guests have been upset that we have closed the park and sent them away from a place to stay with nowhere for them to go. However, our decision is always based on our determination that it is UNSAFE to stay in the park under the forecasted conditions.

Our goal is to provide the most accurate and advance notification within reason and to alert customers in advance of their arrival whenever possible. It is important that guests provide us with email addresses or multiple contact phone numbers so we can reach them in advance of their departure.

Several years ago we created a website alert system we use to post closures, emergency information, and other important notifications. Look for the red box underneath the park website's picture. Currently we have a Know Before You Go section in a green box under this alert.

Park Alert

Find a park's website here

The last thing we ever want to do is ruin someone’s vacations or park visit, especially since some of these trips planned eleven months in advance. But there is nothing like a tree falling through your tent or cabin to do just that! Not to mention potential life threatening events. And, yes the forecasts can be wrong but our intent is always to err of the side of caution when it comes to your safety!

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

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