BLM temporarily closes developed recreation sites on the southern Oregon Coast, March 30

North Bend, Oregon – The health and safety of our visitors and staff remains the number one priority of the Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state of Oregon public health officials, the BLM will temporarily close its developed recreation facilities to help limit the spread of COVID- 19. This closure includes all campgrounds and day use sites. The following BLM-managed developed recreation sites on the southern Oregon Coast will be closed: Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area; Bastendorff Beach; North Spit Boat Ramp; Storm Ranch at New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern; Hinsdale Garden. All Coos Bay District campgrounds remain closed for the winter season. Despite the closure of these facilities, multiple opportunities remain for the public to enjoy the outdoors as long as visitors heed orders, guidance, and advice of local and state officials and the Centers for Disease Control. BLM-managed trails and open spaces remain open, including the North Spit Trail System, Blue Ridge Trail System, Doerner Fir Trail, Lost Lake Trail and Floras Lake. Dispersed camping on BLM-managed lands is allowed, and the 14-day stay limit applies.
Social distancing recommendations are extremely important to reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and may require that visitors avoid public lands during high-use times, such as weekends. Please limit any group activities to members of your household, and keep your total party to 10 or fewer participants. At all times, maintain a distance of six feet or more from other people. To ensure public lands and waters remain intact for future generations, visitors are encouraged to utilize Leave No Trace practices, such as picking up all trash and human waste, while services at recreational facilities are suspended. Please bring your own sanitary products, including toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and pack out all trash. Information on the affected BLM Oregon-Washington facilities will be posted on https://www.blm.gov/oregon-washington/covid-access-restrictions. These closures are pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): 43 CFR § 8364.1, 43 CFR § 9268.3(d)(1), and 43 CFR § 8365.1-4.