As the spring camping season starts, many state parks around Iowa will not be accepting new reservations. The COVID-19 outbreak has made it difficult for families to plan  getaways to their local campgrounds, but Lake Darling Park Ranger Zachary Haworth says there’s still ways to get outside and enjoy the campgrounds. While new reservations will not be accepted, Haworth says the park will remain open and they will uphold those reservations made before the closures were announced. Haworth tells KCII News there are plenty of upcoming events families can be excited about attending in the near future, “Well this year wasn’t kicked off in the greatest fashion but this year was the Iowa State Parks’ 100th anniversary. Backbone State Park was dedicated in 1920 which is why 2020 has been designated as our centennial celebration. There’s been a lot of events that have been scheduled, not just as Lake Darling, but all over the state at our state parks to help celebrate this event. On the schedule for this year returning is the youth camp that we partner with the University of Iowa and there’s a week long youth camp designated for kids to come up to the park for a week and learn and explore and interact. As of now, that’s coming up in mid-June and it’s still on the calendar to happen. As I say every year, we look forward to a safe year at the park. We look forward to people coming out and exploring and having fun. That’s hopefully we can get back to come summer time.”

As of Monday, the park closed their pit latrines, port-a-potties, camping cabins, and shelters until April 15th. Lodges will also be closed until April 30th. The campground’s modern cabins, which include a restroom, will still be accepting new reservations. Camping has also been restricted to self-contained units only, meaning RVs, trailers, and other units that contain a separate bathroom will be able to camp there on a first come, first serve basis.