One of the pandemic’s effects last year was an increase in visitors to Pennsylvania’s state parks, and apparently, people remembered the good times and have returned this year.
The Department of Conservation & Natural Resources this weekend issued “overcrowding alerts” for fourteen parks, including Keystone State Park in Derry Township. Some of the parks may be forced to turn away visitors and close overflow parking areas. To ease crowding, DCNR is recommending people try alternative sites, such as Yellow Creek State Park instead.
The agency says people considering a visit to one of the overcrowded parks should call the park office first, especially if it’s a weekend between 9 AM and 3 PM.
From DCNR:
State parks that are reaching capacity, and experiencing extreme overcrowding and/or turning away visitors include:
- Beltzville
- Codorus
- French Creek
- Hickory Run
- Keystone
- Kinzua Bridge
- Marsh Creek
- Neshaminy
- Nockamixon
- Ohiopyle
- Presque Isle
- Ricketts Glen
- Tyler
- Washington Crossing
