Men relax at a campsite at Rollins Pond Campground in May 2016. (Enterprise photo — Justin A. Levine)

New York state campgrounds will stay closed at least through the end of this month as the COVID-9 pandemic continues.

Traditionally, the Adirondack summer camping season begins on Canada’s long weekend for Victoria Day (which this year falls on Monday, May 18) and then the U.S. long weekend for Memorial Day (Monday, May 25). But not this year.

A state Department of Environmental Conservation web page titled “NY’s Outdoors Are Open” says, “all state-operated campgrounds, cabins, pavilions, and cottages are closed to visitation through May 31. All visitors with reservations will be issued a full refund. For those with cottage reservations, there is a possibility the stay restriction will be lifted prior to June 1.”

Furthermore, it adds, “New York State has suspended all new camping, cabin and cottage reservations for the 2020 season until further notice. If you’ve made a reservation for the season beginning June 1, and we determine your campground is safe to open, your reservation will be honored. However, visitors who wish to cancel an existing reservation may do so and receive a full refund.”

State park beaches and pools are also closed through at least May 31. Mountaintop fire towers are also closed until further notice. People may still hike to these towers but are not allowed to climb them.

Also closed until further notice are state nature centers, environmental education centers, visitor centers, historic houses, playgrounds, athletic courts and sporting fields.

Boat launches are open, although the one on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake remains closed to motorboats because it is blocked by the now-suspended construction of restrooms.

Hiking trails also remain open.

The DEC urges people to practice social distancing outdoors. This includes limiting groups to “immediate household members,” keeping 6 feet apart from each other, not sharing equipment and avoiding games with close contact.

Also, the DEC writes, “If you arrive at a park or trail and crowds are forming, choose a different park, a different trail or return another time/day to visit; and (I)f parking lots are full, please do not park along roadsides or other undesignated areas. To protect your safety and that of others, please choose a different area to visit, or return another time or day when parking is available.”