DALLAS _ Big Bend National Park closed to visitors Friday morning, a temporary measure forced by the need to slow the spread of the coronavirus, park officials said.
The Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River was also closed until further notice, in response to letters from the Brewster County and Texas State health services departments, park officials said.
Entry is allowed only to employees, residents who live in the park and other authorized personnel. Through traffic also is prohibited, along with travel on Terlingua Ranch Road within the park's boundaries.
"The National Park Service listened to the concerns from our local partners and, based on current health guidance, temporarily closed the parks," Big Bend National Park Superintendent Bob Krumenaker said.
The NPS will work with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, Krumenaker said.
For updates on the NPS response to coronavirus, visit nps.gov/coronavirus.
