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Closed

Closed, and nobody said why.

16 federal campgrounds an agency has published as closed for staffing, for repairs, or for no reason at all — each one with the sentence the agency itself wrote, and the office you can ask about it.

What is on this page, and what we left off it

We are not the judge of whether a closure is justified. What we can do, and what nobody else does, is read the agency’s own stated reason and sort closures by what the agency said. Every row below carries that sentence verbatim, the page it came from and the day we read it.

Fire, flood and hazard closures are not on this page, and neither are funded construction projects. A campground shut by a wildfire is not a budget argument and we will not make it one; a project with a contractor and an end date is a project. We hold 30 of those and they are counted beside this rather than listed, because refusing to pad the list is the only reason to believe the rest of it. A season is not a closure at all, and the 55 we read as seasonal appear nowhere.

Nothing here accuses a ranger, a forest or a park of anything. A closed campground usually means somebody at that office is doing the best they can with what they were given, and the question is what it would take.

Each one carries a sentence an agency wrote, a link and a date.

Held back on purpose

Fire, flood or hazard: 20
A funded project: 10
A season, not a closure: 55
A closed flag with no words behind it: 1,697

Counted, not listed. The last row is explained at the foot of this page.

Source: agency closure notices read from the National Park Service APIs, each forest’s own alerts page and the recreation.gov facility record, quoted verbatim · Sep 10, 2026

The agency says staffing

1 campground

The agency itself names staffing. These are the rarest rows on the page and the plainest: an office writing down that it does not have the people to keep a campground open.

Norris Campground

Yellowstone National Park · Wyoming · 112 sites

Norris has been closed to the public for five years and will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Due to Norris’ remote location, the park does not have the staffing required to effectively respond to emergency incidents (law enforcement, emergency medical services etc.) and facility maintenance and repairs. For this reason, we have removed it from Yellowstone’s website and publications. Closed for the foreseeable future.
NPS

The source publishes no posting dateNational Park Service campgrounds API, the park’s own descriptionRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as the agency says staffing from the words “does not have the staffing” — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in WY, at-large, represented by Harriet Hageman (R).Public-lands grade so far: F

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — NPS, Yellowstone National Park

To the NPS, Yellowstone National Park:

I am writing about Norris Campground in Yellowstone National Park, WY, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “Norris has been closed to the public for five years and will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Due to Norris’ remote location, the park does not have the staffing required to effectively respond to emergency incidents (law enforcement, emergency medical services etc.) and facility maintenance and repairs. For this reason, we have removed it from Yellowstone’s website and publications. Closed for the foreseeable future.”
(https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/norrishscg.htm)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Norris Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

112 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Norris Campground (Yellowstone National Park, WY) via campanac.com

Subject: Norris Campground: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Harriet Hageman

Dear Harriet Hageman,

I am a constituent in WY, at-large. Norris Campground, Yellowstone National Park, WY, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “Norris has been closed to the public for five years and will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Due to Norris’ remote location, the park does not have the staffing required to effectively respond to emergency incidents (law enforcement, emergency medical services etc.) and facility maintenance and repairs. For this reason, we have removed it from Yellowstone’s website and publications. Closed for the foreseeable future.”
(https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/norrishscg.htm)

I am asking you to put three questions to the NPS in writing:

1. Why is Norris Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the NPS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 112 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Norris Campground (Yellowstone National Park, WY) via campanac.com

Subject: Norris Campground is closed (Yellowstone National Park, WY)

Repairs, deferred or open-ended

8 campgrounds

The agency names repairs, a failed utility, or a wait with no end on it. Work like this is deferred until it cannot be deferred any longer, which makes it a budget question before it is anything else.

Bridalveil Creek Campground

Yosemite National Park · California · 107 sites

The campground closed unexpectedly due to a lightning strike impacting critical infrastructure (potable water and restrooms); originally scheduled to close on September 7, 2026.
NPS

The source publishes no posting dateNational Park Service campgrounds API, the park’s own descriptionRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as repairs, deferred or open-ended from the words “infrastructure” — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in CA-5, represented by Tom McClintock (R).Public-lands grade so far: F

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — NPS, Yosemite National Park

To the NPS, Yosemite National Park:

I am writing about Bridalveil Creek Campground in Yosemite National Park, CA, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “The campground closed unexpectedly due to a lightning strike impacting critical infrastructure (potable water and restrooms); originally scheduled to close on September 7, 2026.”
(https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bvcamp.htm)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Bridalveil Creek Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

107 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Bridalveil Creek Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA) via campanac.com

Subject: Bridalveil Creek Campground: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Tom McClintock

Dear Tom McClintock,

I am a constituent in CA-5. Bridalveil Creek Campground, Yosemite National Park, CA, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “The campground closed unexpectedly due to a lightning strike impacting critical infrastructure (potable water and restrooms); originally scheduled to close on September 7, 2026.”
(https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bvcamp.htm)

I am asking you to put three questions to the NPS in writing:

1. Why is Bridalveil Creek Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the NPS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 107 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Bridalveil Creek Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA) via campanac.com

Subject: Bridalveil Creek Campground is closed (Yosemite National Park, CA)

Circle X Ranch Group Campground

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area · California · 1 site

Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed until further notice. There is no estimated re-opening date.
NPS

Posted Sep 9, 2026recreation.gov facility notice, quoted verbatimRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as repairs, deferred or open-ended from the words “until further notice” — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in CA-26, represented by Julia Brownley (D).Public-lands grade so far: A+

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — NPS, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

To the NPS, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area:

I am writing about Circle X Ranch Group Campground in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, CA, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed until further notice. There is no estimated re-opening date.”
(https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233381, posted 2026-09-09)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Circle X Ranch Group Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

1 campsite on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Circle X Ranch Group Campground (Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, CA) via campanac.com

Subject: Circle X Ranch Group Campground: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Julia Brownley

Dear Julia Brownley,

I am a constituent in CA-26. Circle X Ranch Group Campground, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, CA, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed until further notice. There is no estimated re-opening date.”
(https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233381, posted 2026-09-09)

I am asking you to put three questions to the NPS in writing:

1. Why is Circle X Ranch Group Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the NPS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 1 campsite here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Circle X Ranch Group Campground (Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, CA) via campanac.com

Subject: Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed (Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, CA)

Field Tract Campground

Santa Fe National Forest · New Mexico · 15 sites

Please note that Field Tract Campground is currently closed until further notice due to necessary repairs on the shelters.
USFS

This campground sits in NM-3, represented by Teresa Leger Fernandez (D).Public-lands grade so far: A+

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — USFS, Santa Fe National Forest

To the USFS, Santa Fe National Forest:

I am writing about Field Tract Campground in Santa Fe National Forest, NM, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “Please note that Field Tract Campground is currently closed until further notice due to necessary repairs on the shelters.”
(https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273758, posted 2026-09-09)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Field Tract Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

15 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Field Tract Campground (Santa Fe National Forest, NM) via campanac.com

Subject: Field Tract Campground: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Teresa Leger Fernandez

Dear Teresa Leger Fernandez,

I am a constituent in NM-3. Field Tract Campground, Santa Fe National Forest, NM, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “Please note that Field Tract Campground is currently closed until further notice due to necessary repairs on the shelters.”
(https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273758, posted 2026-09-09)

I am asking you to put three questions to the USFS in writing:

1. Why is Field Tract Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the USFS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 15 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Field Tract Campground (Santa Fe National Forest, NM) via campanac.com

Subject: Field Tract Campground is closed (Santa Fe National Forest, NM)

Guy Sandy Campground

Chickasaw National Recreation Area · Oklahoma · 40 sites

Due to maintenance issues, Guy Sandy Campground is closed.
NPS

The source publishes no posting dateNational Park Service campgrounds API, the park’s own descriptionRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as repairs, deferred or open-ended from the words “maintenance” — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in OK-4, represented by Tom Cole (R).Public-lands grade so far: F

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — NPS, Chickasaw National Recreation Area

To the NPS, Chickasaw National Recreation Area:

I am writing about Guy Sandy Campground in Chickasaw National Recreation Area, OK, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “Due to maintenance issues, Guy Sandy Campground is closed.”
(https://www.nps.gov/chic/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Guy Sandy Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

40 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Guy Sandy Campground (Chickasaw National Recreation Area, OK) via campanac.com

Subject: Guy Sandy Campground: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Tom Cole

Dear Tom Cole,

I am a constituent in OK-4. Guy Sandy Campground, Chickasaw National Recreation Area, OK, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “Due to maintenance issues, Guy Sandy Campground is closed.”
(https://www.nps.gov/chic/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm)

I am asking you to put three questions to the NPS in writing:

1. Why is Guy Sandy Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the NPS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 40 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Guy Sandy Campground (Chickasaw National Recreation Area, OK) via campanac.com

Subject: Guy Sandy Campground is closed (Chickasaw National Recreation Area, OK)

Little Maud Campground

White River National Forest · Colorado · 22 sites

No water for campers at Ruedi Reservoir Campgrounds; Little Maud and Mollie B closed. There is no well water at the Ruedi Reservoir Campgrounds.
USFS

Posted Sep 9, 2026USFS White River National Forest alert, quoted verbatimRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as repairs, deferred or open-ended from the words “No water” — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in CO-3, represented by Jeff Hurd (R).Public-lands grade so far: F

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — USFS, White River National Forest

To the USFS, White River National Forest:

I am writing about Little Maud Campground in White River National Forest, CO, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “No water for campers at Ruedi Reservoir Campgrounds; Little Maud and Mollie B closed. There is no well water at the Ruedi Reservoir Campgrounds.”
(https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts/no-water-campers-ruedi-reservoir-campgrounds-little-maud-and-mollie-b-closed, posted 2026-09-09)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Little Maud Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

22 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Little Maud Campground (White River National Forest, CO) via campanac.com

Subject: Little Maud Campground: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Jeff Hurd

Dear Jeff Hurd,

I am a constituent in CO-3. Little Maud Campground, White River National Forest, CO, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “No water for campers at Ruedi Reservoir Campgrounds; Little Maud and Mollie B closed. There is no well water at the Ruedi Reservoir Campgrounds.”
(https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts/no-water-campers-ruedi-reservoir-campgrounds-little-maud-and-mollie-b-closed, posted 2026-09-09)

I am asking you to put three questions to the USFS in writing:

1. Why is Little Maud Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the USFS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 22 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Little Maud Campground (White River National Forest, CO) via campanac.com

Subject: Little Maud Campground is closed (White River National Forest, CO)

Lower Piedra

San Juan National Forest · Colorado · 19 sites

The campground will remain closed until repairs can be made.
USFS

Posted Sep 9, 2026recreation.gov facility notice, quoted verbatimRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as repairs, deferred or open-ended from the words “repairs” — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in CO-3, represented by Jeff Hurd (R).Public-lands grade so far: F

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — USFS, San Juan National Forest

To the USFS, San Juan National Forest:

I am writing about Lower Piedra in San Juan National Forest, CO, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “The campground will remain closed until repairs can be made.”
(https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10165435, posted 2026-09-09)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Lower Piedra closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

19 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Lower Piedra (San Juan National Forest, CO) via campanac.com

Subject: Lower Piedra: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Jeff Hurd

Dear Jeff Hurd,

I am a constituent in CO-3. Lower Piedra, San Juan National Forest, CO, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “The campground will remain closed until repairs can be made.”
(https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10165435, posted 2026-09-09)

I am asking you to put three questions to the USFS in writing:

1. Why is Lower Piedra closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the USFS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 19 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Lower Piedra (San Juan National Forest, CO) via campanac.com

Subject: Lower Piedra is closed (San Juan National Forest, CO)

Pine Mountain Campground

Deschutes National Forest · Oregon

FSR 2017 and the Pine Mountain Campground are temporarily closed while work is underway to repair powerline infrastructure.
USFS

Posted Jul 14, 2026USFS Deschutes National Forest alert, quoted verbatimRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as repairs, deferred or open-ended from the words “repair” — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in OR-2, represented by Cliff Bentz (R).Public-lands grade so far: F

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — USFS, Deschutes National Forest

To the USFS, Deschutes National Forest:

I am writing about Pine Mountain Campground in Deschutes National Forest, OR, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “FSR 2017 and the Pine Mountain Campground are temporarily closed while work is underway to repair powerline infrastructure.”
(https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes/alerts/pine-mountain-fsr-2017-closure, posted 2026-07-14)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Pine Mountain Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

a campground on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Pine Mountain Campground (Deschutes National Forest, OR) via campanac.com

Subject: Pine Mountain Campground: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Cliff Bentz

Dear Cliff Bentz,

I am a constituent in OR-2. Pine Mountain Campground, Deschutes National Forest, OR, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “FSR 2017 and the Pine Mountain Campground are temporarily closed while work is underway to repair powerline infrastructure.”
(https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes/alerts/pine-mountain-fsr-2017-closure, posted 2026-07-14)

I am asking you to put three questions to the USFS in writing:

1. Why is Pine Mountain Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the USFS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether a campground here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Pine Mountain Campground (Deschutes National Forest, OR) via campanac.com

Subject: Pine Mountain Campground is closed (Deschutes National Forest, OR)

Wonder Lake

Denali National Park · Alaska · 28 sites

Wonder Lake Campground is closed until further notice. Wonder Lake Campground is at mile 85 on the Denali Park Road.
NPS

The source publishes no posting dateNational Park Service campgrounds API, the park’s own descriptionRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as repairs, deferred or open-ended from the words “until further notice” — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in AK, at-large, represented by Nick Begich (R).Public-lands grade so far: F

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — NPS, Denali National Park

To the NPS, Denali National Park:

I am writing about Wonder Lake in Denali National Park, AK, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “Wonder Lake Campground is closed until further notice. Wonder Lake Campground is at mile 85 on the Denali Park Road.”
(https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-wonder.htm)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Wonder Lake closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

28 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Wonder Lake (Denali National Park, AK) via campanac.com

Subject: Wonder Lake: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Nick Begich

Dear Nick Begich,

I am a constituent in AK, at-large. Wonder Lake, Denali National Park, AK, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “Wonder Lake Campground is closed until further notice. Wonder Lake Campground is at mile 85 on the Denali Park Road.”
(https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-wonder.htm)

I am asking you to put three questions to the NPS in writing:

1. Why is Wonder Lake closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the NPS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 28 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Wonder Lake (Denali National Park, AK) via campanac.com

Subject: Wonder Lake is closed (Denali National Park, AK)

No reason we could read

7 campgrounds

Closed, and we could not read a reason out of the notice — usually because the agency published none. We do not fill that gap with a guess: the agency’s own words are on every row so you can see for yourself what was and was not said. The first question in the letter below is simply why.

Backcountry Camping

White Sands National Park · New Mexico · 10 sites

Backcountry Camping Closed. Backcountry camping at the park is closed. There is no established opening date at this time.
NPS

Posted Aug 22, 2024National Park Service alert (Information)Read Sep 10, 2026Filed as no reason we could read — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in NM-2, represented by Gabe Vasquez (D).Public-lands grade so far: A

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — NPS, White Sands National Park

To the NPS, White Sands National Park:

I am writing about Backcountry Camping in White Sands National Park, NM, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “Backcountry Camping Closed. Backcountry camping at the park is closed. There is no established opening date at this time.”
(https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/conditions.htm, posted 2024-08-22)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Backcountry Camping closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

10 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Backcountry Camping (White Sands National Park, NM) via campanac.com

Subject: Backcountry Camping: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Gabe Vasquez

Dear Gabe Vasquez,

I am a constituent in NM-2. Backcountry Camping, White Sands National Park, NM, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “Backcountry Camping Closed. Backcountry camping at the park is closed. There is no established opening date at this time.”
(https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/conditions.htm, posted 2024-08-22)

I am asking you to put three questions to the NPS in writing:

1. Why is Backcountry Camping closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the NPS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 10 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Backcountry Camping (White Sands National Park, NM) via campanac.com

Subject: Backcountry Camping is closed (White Sands National Park, NM)

Cook Lake Rec Area

Black Hills National Forest · Wyoming · 35 sites

Order 172 - Cook Lake Closure Order. Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Bearlodge Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area and Trail”): .
USFS

Posted Aug 1, 2023USFS Black Hills National Forest alert, quoted verbatimRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as no reason we could read — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in WY, at-large, represented by Harriet Hageman (R).Public-lands grade so far: F

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — USFS, Black Hills National Forest

To the USFS, Black Hills National Forest:

I am writing about Cook Lake Rec Area in Black Hills National Forest, WY, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “Order 172 - Cook Lake Closure Order. Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Bearlodge Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area and Trail”): .”
(https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/alerts/order-172-cook-lake-closure-order, posted 2023-08-01)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Cook Lake Rec Area closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

35 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Cook Lake Rec Area (Black Hills National Forest, WY) via campanac.com

Subject: Cook Lake Rec Area: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Harriet Hageman

Dear Harriet Hageman,

I am a constituent in WY, at-large. Cook Lake Rec Area, Black Hills National Forest, WY, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “Order 172 - Cook Lake Closure Order. Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Bearlodge Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area and Trail”): .”
(https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/alerts/order-172-cook-lake-closure-order, posted 2023-08-01)

I am asking you to put three questions to the USFS in writing:

1. Why is Cook Lake Rec Area closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the USFS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 35 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Cook Lake Rec Area (Black Hills National Forest, WY) via campanac.com

Subject: Cook Lake Rec Area is closed (Black Hills National Forest, WY)

Gauley Tailwaters

Gauley River National Recreation Area · West Virginia · 18 sites

Gauley Tailwaters Campground Closure. The Tailwaters Campground in Gauley River National Recreation Area, located below Summersville Dam, will temporarily close from September 11 through September 28 in order to allow for more parking and better river access during the busy Gauley season.
NPS

Posted Aug 20, 2026National Park Service alert (Information)Read Sep 10, 2026Filed as no reason we could read — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in WV-1, represented by Carol Miller (R).Public-lands grade so far: F

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — NPS, Gauley River National Recreation Area

To the NPS, Gauley River National Recreation Area:

I am writing about Gauley Tailwaters in Gauley River National Recreation Area, WV, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “Gauley Tailwaters Campground Closure. The Tailwaters Campground in Gauley River National Recreation Area, located below Summersville Dam, will temporarily close from September 11 through September 28 in order to allow for more parking and better river access during the busy Gauley season.”
(https://www.nps.gov/gari/planyourvisit/conditions.htm, posted 2026-08-20)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Gauley Tailwaters closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

18 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Gauley Tailwaters (Gauley River National Recreation Area, WV) via campanac.com

Subject: Gauley Tailwaters: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Carol Miller

Dear Carol Miller,

I am a constituent in WV-1. Gauley Tailwaters, Gauley River National Recreation Area, WV, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “Gauley Tailwaters Campground Closure. The Tailwaters Campground in Gauley River National Recreation Area, located below Summersville Dam, will temporarily close from September 11 through September 28 in order to allow for more parking and better river access during the busy Gauley season.”
(https://www.nps.gov/gari/planyourvisit/conditions.htm, posted 2026-08-20)

I am asking you to put three questions to the NPS in writing:

1. Why is Gauley Tailwaters closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the NPS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 18 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Gauley Tailwaters (Gauley River National Recreation Area, WV) via campanac.com

Subject: Gauley Tailwaters is closed (Gauley River National Recreation Area, WV)

Hawk Creek Campground

Washington · 20 sites

Hawk Creek Area Closed for 2026 Recreation Season 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-06
NPS

The source publishes no posting dateNational Park Service campgrounds API, the park’s own descriptionRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as no reason we could read — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in WA-5, represented by Michael Baumgartner (R).Public-lands grade so far: F

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — NPS

To the NPS:

I am writing about Hawk Creek Campground in WA, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “Hawk Creek Area Closed for 2026 Recreation Season 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-06”
(https://www.nps.gov/laro/planyourvisit/cg-hawkcreek.htm)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Hawk Creek Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

20 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Hawk Creek Campground (WA) via campanac.com

Subject: Hawk Creek Campground: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Michael Baumgartner

Dear Michael Baumgartner,

I am a constituent in WA-5. Hawk Creek Campground, WA, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “Hawk Creek Area Closed for 2026 Recreation Season 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-06”
(https://www.nps.gov/laro/planyourvisit/cg-hawkcreek.htm)

I am asking you to put three questions to the NPS in writing:

1. Why is Hawk Creek Campground closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the NPS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 20 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Hawk Creek Campground (WA) via campanac.com

Subject: Hawk Creek Campground is closed (WA)

Juniper Lake Group

Lassen Volcanic National Park · California · 2 sites

Juniper Lake Campground is closed. Work is in progress to re-open. 2026 Campground Closure 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31
NPS

The source publishes no posting dateNational Park Service campgrounds API, the park’s own descriptionRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as no reason we could read — our reading of the sentence above

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — NPS, Lassen Volcanic National Park

To the NPS, Lassen Volcanic National Park:

I am writing about Juniper Lake Group in Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “Juniper Lake Campground is closed. Work is in progress to re-open. 2026 Campground Closure 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31”
(https://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/juniper-lake-campground.htm)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Juniper Lake Group closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

2 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Juniper Lake Group (Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA) via campanac.com

Subject: Juniper Lake Group: three questions about the closure

San Miguel Island

Channel Islands National Park · California · 19 sites

San Miguel Island Closure 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31
NPS

The source publishes no posting dateNational Park Service campgrounds API, the park’s own descriptionRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as no reason we could read — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in CA-24, represented by Salud Carbajal (D).Public-lands grade so far: A+

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — NPS, Channel Islands National Park

To the NPS, Channel Islands National Park:

I am writing about San Miguel Island in Channel Islands National Park, CA, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “San Miguel Island Closure 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31”
(https://www.recreation.gov/camping/san-miguel-island/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70983)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is San Miguel Island closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

19 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about San Miguel Island (Channel Islands National Park, CA) via campanac.com

Subject: San Miguel Island: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Salud Carbajal

Dear Salud Carbajal,

I am a constituent in CA-24. San Miguel Island, Channel Islands National Park, CA, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “San Miguel Island Closure 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31”
(https://www.recreation.gov/camping/san-miguel-island/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70983)

I am asking you to put three questions to the NPS in writing:

1. Why is San Miguel Island closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the NPS's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 19 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about San Miguel Island (Channel Islands National Park, CA) via campanac.com

Subject: San Miguel Island is closed (Channel Islands National Park, CA)

Woodcock Lake Park

Pennsylvania · 115 sites

Woodcock Lake Park Campground is currently closed to camping.
USACE

Posted Sep 9, 2026recreation.gov facility notice, quoted verbatimRead Sep 10, 2026Filed as no reason we could read — our reading of the sentence above

This campground sits in PA-16, represented by Mike Kelly (R).Public-lands grade so far: F

Write and ask why

To the office that runs it — USACE

To the USACE:

I am writing about Woodcock Lake Park in PA, which your own record lists as closed.

Your own notice reads: “Woodcock Lake Park Campground is currently closed to camping.”
(https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10132301, posted 2026-09-09)

I have three questions, and I would be grateful for a plain answer to each.

1. Why is Woodcock Lake Park closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

I am not writing to second-guess anyone who works there. If the answer to the second question is money or people you have not been given, please say so plainly — that is a thing the public can act on, and we cannot help with a shortfall nobody tells us about.

115 campsites on public land sitting shut is worth an explanation to the people who own it.

— Sent about Woodcock Lake Park (PA) via campanac.com

Subject: Woodcock Lake Park: three questions about the closure

To the member who votes the money — Mike Kelly

Dear Mike Kelly,

I am a constituent in PA-16. Woodcock Lake Park, PA, a federal campground, is closed.

Your own notice reads: “Woodcock Lake Park Campground is currently closed to camping.”
(https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10132301, posted 2026-09-09)

I am asking you to put three questions to the USACE in writing:

1. Why is Woodcock Lake Park closed?
2. What would it cost to reopen it, and what is in the way?
3. What date are you working towards?

And when the USACE's budget comes to a vote, to treat the recreation operations and deferred-maintenance lines as the thing that decides whether 115 campsites here are open next season.

Closing a public campground is a quiet way to reduce access to public land, and it does not require anybody to vote for it.

— Sent about Woodcock Lake Park (PA) via campanac.com

Subject: Woodcock Lake Park is closed (PA)

What we hold and will not publish as a closure yet

The Forest Service’s own recreation database carries a status field on every rec area, and it currently marks 1,697 of the campgrounds in this atlas as closed or temporarily closed. It is a flag: no sentence, no reason, and no date. We hold every one of them and we list none, because a page that named 1,697 campgrounds as closures on the strength of an undated database attribute would be doing exactly the thing this page refuses to do.

They become listable the day they carry a date, and they will: we write down when we first read each flag, so after a few months this reads “the Forest Service has listed this closed continuously since” a real day. That is a claim. Today it would be a guess.

Source: USFS EDW Recreation Opportunities layer, openstatus field · Sep 10, 2026

How this list is built

Every source behind this page · 5

Forest Service EDW recreation database: 1,718 campgrounds carry a closure record from this source; 0 of them are listed above · Sep 10, 2026

National Park Service campgrounds API: 43 campgrounds carry a closure record from this source; 7 of them are listed above · Sep 10, 2026

Forest Service forest alerts: 18 campgrounds carry a closure record from this source; 3 of them are listed above · Sep 10, 2026

recreation.gov facility notices: 15 campgrounds carry a closure record from this source; 4 of them are listed above · Sep 10, 2026

National Park Service alerts: 5 campgrounds carry a closure record from this source; 2 of them are listed above · Sep 10, 2026

A closure reaches this page only if a sentence an agency wrote puts the campground itself — not a loop, a boat ramp, a gate at night or a swim beach — in the closed position. The class on each row is ours, derived from that sentence, and every row names the rule and the words that decided it so you can check it against the quote above it. Where we could not defend a class from the agency’s own words, the row is filed as no reason published rather than as a guess.

Nothing on this page is an accusation. A closed campground usually means somebody at that office is doing the best they can with what they were given, and the question the letters ask is what it would take. The campgrounds that still take walk-ups and the ones that are full every Saturday are the other two halves of the same argument.

Source: agency closure notices read from the National Park Service APIs, each forest’s own alerts page and the recreation.gov facility record, quoted verbatim · Sep 10, 2026