Gettysburg NP Modifying Operations To Comply with Local Health Guidance

(5/20) Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gettysburg National Military Park is increasing access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning May 22, 2020, Gettysburg National Military Park, in response to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s move to Phase Yellow for Adams County, will begin to allow Licensed Battlefield Guide operations, commercial operators, and special park uses. Licensed Battlefield Guides, permits, and special park uses are to comply with state reopening guidance and public health guidance which include limiting gatherings to less than 25 people and maintaining social distancing. Park Rangers will provide informal interpretation services through intermittent roves, or visits, to different areas of the battlefield. Portable toilets are available at ten locations throughout the battlefield.

The Museum and Visitor Center, Eisenhower National Historic Site buildings, Wills House, public restrooms, observation towers, and the Pennsylvania Memorial observation level remain closed. Park grounds, roads, trails, and parking areas remain open to the public. Park gates will be opened and closed at their normal times. There is no public parking available at Eisenhower NHS. Formal, scheduled interpretive programs with Park Rangers will not be offered. Landscaping and preservation activities have resumed in accordance with public health guidance.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners.

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders for Pennsylvania State Phase Yellow, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

We have amazing virtual tours of Gettysburg NMP and Eisenhower NHS available on our web site for people who are still home schooling or not traveling at this time.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website at https://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htmand social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.