You’ll soon be able to swim at Pa. state park beaches. Here’s what to know and what’s changed

A gradual reopening of state park swimming beach and pools is set to begin next week, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced Thursday.

On June 6, all 58 state park swimming beaches will be open to the public, with most state park pools in “yellow” and “green phase” counties opening June 13.

“Water-based activity is an integral part of the state park experience in Pennsylvania and, with appropriate protocols in place to ensure safety and as staffing permits, this department continues to reopen its state parks and forests so that Pennsylvanians can realize all the benefits of being outdoors,” Dunn said in a statement.

Beaches and pools will be limited to 50 percent of usual operating capacity, according to a press release. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance is to be followed and safety measures will be put in place such as limited parking, social distancing and enforcement of face masks when not in the water.

Cabins, cottages, lodges and yurts will open statewide on June 12. The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park reopened May 15.

Picnic pavilion reservations, playgrounds, nature play areas, interpretive centers, amphitheaters and group camping facilities statewide will remain closed until further notice.

The public can still access DCNR trails, lakes, rivers, streams, forests, roads and parking areas statewide for recreation. State parks and forest facilities in the red phase will remain closed until further notice, and residents of red phase counties should not travel to other counties for recreational purposes, according to the DCNR.

District offices in some state forest districts, including Rothrock, will reopen Friday.

This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 3:06 PM.