Alerts and Closures

All campsites, including group campsites, are open. Reservations are required; please visit Aspira's website or call them at 1-877-722-6762 to make your reservation.

Trails, restrooms, river accesses, and the Elk Shoals swim beach are open. Picnic shelters are open and available for rental.

The park office at Wagoner and visitor center at U.S. 221 are open. A properly worn mask or face covering, covering both the nose and the mouth, is required to enter any building.

Other facilities, such as classrooms and community buildings, remain closed. The exhibit hall at the U.S. 221 visitor center is also closed.

Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide. As of September 11, 2020, we are following the new guidelines under phase 2.5.

The park is open daily from 7:00am to 10:00pm.

The visitor center is open. A properly worn mask or face covering, covering both the nose and the mouth, is required to enter.

Picnic areas are open with tables spread out for social distancing and grills are open. Picnic shelters and the amphitheater are not available to reserve.

The family campground, equestrian campground, and backcountry campsites are open. There is no group camping permitted at South Mountains. Only six people or less per site.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL CAMPSITES. All campers, including backpackers, must make a reservation through the system online or by phone (1-877-722-6762). There are no walk-ins. Campers can make same-day reservations up until 9:00pm on the day of your arrival. You must make a reservation before setting up camp on a campsite. You cannot place your personal belongings on a site to "reserve" the site for you. When you arrive for your reservation, use the free Wi-Fi near the visitor center to self-check-in using the Reserve America Camping App.

Weekend delays: Visitors should expect park entrance delays from 9:30am to 6:00pm on weekends. You may encounter a 30-minute to 1-hour wait time to get into Jacob Fork access. Parking is limited and some spaces are coned off to meet maximum occupancy recommendations. Visitors will be directed to other parking areas once the High Shoals Falls trailhead parking is full. Vehicles will be stopped near the park entrance gate, and traffic into the park will be controlled by park rangers for visitor safety and for emergency access. Plan ahead and limit the number of vehicles you take to the park. Maps are available at the visitor center and trailhead kiosks.

Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide. As of September 11, we are following the new guidelines under phase 2.5.

Trails and restrooms are open.

The visitor center is open daily. On weekdays, hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A properly worn mask or face covering, covering both the nose and the mouth, is required to enter.

There are NO bike or boat rentals.

Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide. As of September 11, 2020, we are following the new guidelines under phase 2.5.

Important Information Before Visiting:

1.  Bring WATER!  There are no water fountains, and it is VERY HOT, please bring enough water to drink.

2.  Bring a MAP!  You can print maps online before you come to the park or pick one up at our Visitor Center or trail Kiosks.  We have over 30 MILES of trails in the park and many trails are not loop trails so please bring a map and plan your hike.  Pay special attenton to the distance and difficulty rating of the trails you will be on.

3.  Gates lock at 8:00pm. Please plan your visit so you are able to leave before the gates lock.
Park hours will be 8:00am to 8:00pm on both sides of the park. *On Saturday and Sunday mornings, the Reedy Creek entrance at Harrison Avenue and I-40 will open at 7:00am. The Crabtree entrance at Glenwood Avenue will open at 8:00am seven days a week. Entry before or after operating hours is trespassing.
*IMPORTANT: The park will close when full and no cars will be allowed to enter until more parking becomes available.  As one vehicle leaves the park, the next vehicle in line will be allowed to enter.

4. We are opening trails and restrooms to provide fresh air and exercise during this difficult time. Visitors should make their visits brief and focus on moving through the park, without stopping any place where multiple people may be in one area. This is not the time to “hang out” at the park.

5.  Please bring hand sanitizer and go to the bathroom before coming to the park. Restrooms will be open, but we have limited supplies of toilet paper and soap, so please conserve.

6.  Please follow all current state guidelines on social distancing and gatherings. Visitors should maintain a social distance, including on trails — move aside for people to pass.

7.  Visitors should wear a face covering, like a bandana or a mask, that allows them to breathe easily on the trail without spreading as many germs.

8.  If you are hiking in a group, walk single file when you are passing someone on a trail.

*Special Message:  We are still operating the park on a limited opening capacity to allow people to visit and enjoy the park and the outdoors while also adjusting operations to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  COVID-19 Guidelines and Recommendations should still be followed.  Please keep proper social distance, allow room for others to pass, and avoid gathering in groups.

Please also respect park staff who have been given specific operational guidelines for cleaning and social distancing requirements for their safety and to reduce the potential spread of infection.

*Visitor behavior is IMPERATIVE to create conditions that will allow us to keep our parks open. Failure to respect these guidelines could cause parks to be closed and may impact additional park facilities from reopening.*