Sightseeing Denver to Oregon in the time of Coronavirus
May 2, 2020 3:37 PM Subscribe
We need to travel from Denver to Eugene, Oregon and are able to take a day or three to see some sights. But are they all closed? Please recommend some places to stop along the way. Camping is a possibility; we'll be in a smallish SUV, and would be up for a minor hike or two, maybe up to 10 miles round trip. We're two adults. I'm thinking nature, but also museums, music, historical sites, anything unique and memorable.
Here is some info on camping. It doesn't look great.
posted by General Malaise at 4:13 PM on May 2, 2020
posted by General Malaise at 4:13 PM on May 2, 2020
What’s the situation like in Denver? I can guarantee it’s the same elsewhere along the way.
posted by Young Kullervo at 4:32 PM on May 2, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Young Kullervo at 4:32 PM on May 2, 2020 [2 favorites]
This is not a good time for sightseeing, unfortunately. Enjoy the views from your car -- the good news is you'll get some nice ones :)
posted by goodbyewaffles at 4:49 PM on May 2, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by goodbyewaffles at 4:49 PM on May 2, 2020 [3 favorites]
I've read a few reports about camping/hiking/nature, including:
* ‘We’re closed for your hiking business.’ Communities near national parks urge non-locals to stay away. (WaPo, Mar. 24, 2020)
* 'Please don't come': calls to close US national parks over virus fears (Guardian, Apr. 7, 2020)
* Oregonians bypass outdoor closures with ‘creative parking’ sparking COVID-19 concerns (Salem Statesman Journal, Apr. 16, 2020)
* Oregon outdoor recreation sites could begin reopening by mid-May after COVID-19 closures (Salem Statesman Journal, Apr. 26, 2020)
Also, Oregon's Declaration of Emergency has been extended through July 6, 2020, and it looks like EO 20-12 addresses the question of campgrounds, etc. (via Oregon.gov Executive Orders)
posted by katra at 4:55 PM on May 2, 2020
* ‘We’re closed for your hiking business.’ Communities near national parks urge non-locals to stay away. (WaPo, Mar. 24, 2020)
* 'Please don't come': calls to close US national parks over virus fears (Guardian, Apr. 7, 2020)
* Oregonians bypass outdoor closures with ‘creative parking’ sparking COVID-19 concerns (Salem Statesman Journal, Apr. 16, 2020)
* Oregon outdoor recreation sites could begin reopening by mid-May after COVID-19 closures (Salem Statesman Journal, Apr. 26, 2020)
Also, Oregon's Declaration of Emergency has been extended through July 6, 2020, and it looks like EO 20-12 addresses the question of campgrounds, etc. (via Oregon.gov Executive Orders)
posted by katra at 4:55 PM on May 2, 2020
Best answer: Music is a definite possibility, pick up a couple of drums and you can make your own live music wherever you stop.
Many BLM lands outside of California where disbursed camping is normally allowed are still allowing camping. Even if more established trails are closed, you can pretty much hike around on BLM land, have the opportunity to learn to enjoy the sights of trees, vegetation, birds, etc without needing to see a "sight". Check that it's still open before you go of course.
anything unique and memorable
Your memories are what you make of them, and it's entirely possible to have a memorable trip without going to "sights".
Or for an entirely different type of "historical sight" memorable experience you can hit some of the "reopen our town/state" type protests going on. History in the making. Might come down with coronavirus later, which will make it extra memorable.
posted by yohko at 6:01 PM on May 2, 2020 [3 favorites]
Many BLM lands outside of California where disbursed camping is normally allowed are still allowing camping. Even if more established trails are closed, you can pretty much hike around on BLM land, have the opportunity to learn to enjoy the sights of trees, vegetation, birds, etc without needing to see a "sight". Check that it's still open before you go of course.
anything unique and memorable
Your memories are what you make of them, and it's entirely possible to have a memorable trip without going to "sights".
Or for an entirely different type of "historical sight" memorable experience you can hit some of the "reopen our town/state" type protests going on. History in the making. Might come down with coronavirus later, which will make it extra memorable.
posted by yohko at 6:01 PM on May 2, 2020 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: We're leaving May 10th. The situation in Denver: some knuckleheads aren't staying in; our daily new cases aren't dropping. You've seen the protests.
Even if the highlights are scenic overlooks, it looks like going up to the Columbia Gorge will well be worth it. Looks the the Flaming Gorge is only a 2 hour detour. What else?
BLM lands (undeveloped) seem to still be open.
posted by cyclicker at 6:12 PM on May 2, 2020
Even if the highlights are scenic overlooks, it looks like going up to the Columbia Gorge will well be worth it. Looks the the Flaming Gorge is only a 2 hour detour. What else?
BLM lands (undeveloped) seem to still be open.
posted by cyclicker at 6:12 PM on May 2, 2020
To put this as gently as possible, what is your endgame here? Are you relocating there permanently, temporarily or just visiting? Oregon is not going to be significantly better than Colorado. People are going about their business in varying degrees of compliance.
The Columbia River Gorge is pretty much closed for tourism. Link 1, Link 2. They really don’t want tourists.
If you do insist on making this trip, then please do your utmost to interact with people as little as possible. Wear a mask and gloves, disinfect everything you must touch. Sleep in your car, pump your own gas, eat takeout, don’t go inside a store unless it’s absolutely necessary. And when you do arrive, self-isolate for 14 days.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 6:50 PM on May 2, 2020 [26 favorites]
The Columbia River Gorge is pretty much closed for tourism. Link 1, Link 2. They really don’t want tourists.
If you do insist on making this trip, then please do your utmost to interact with people as little as possible. Wear a mask and gloves, disinfect everything you must touch. Sleep in your car, pump your own gas, eat takeout, don’t go inside a store unless it’s absolutely necessary. And when you do arrive, self-isolate for 14 days.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 6:50 PM on May 2, 2020 [26 favorites]
This really is not the time to be sightseeing, unfortunately. Perhaps you can stop and try to get a good view of the stars, but even if you can find a national park or campsite that's open, going there puts the employees who need to be there at risk.
If you must make this trip, please do it quickly, safely, and as far from others as possible.
posted by Amy93 at 8:45 PM on May 2, 2020 [12 favorites]
If you must make this trip, please do it quickly, safely, and as far from others as possible.
posted by Amy93 at 8:45 PM on May 2, 2020 [12 favorites]
Best answer: Assume museums are closed. For example, looking up Salt Lake City's museums, Visit Salt Lake has a helpful website, which includes a pop-up that states "Until we resume normal activities and you're comfortable traveling, we encourage you to visit our COVID-19 update page featuring virtual community programs, enlightening and uplifting stories, and economic relief programs for businesses."
With that, here's information about meteor showers from AMS Meteors.org. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which occurs from roughly late April to mid-May, offers a long stretch of spectacular "shooting stars" that even a casual observer can spot in the night sky (Space.com). The best viewing is early morning, and the moon is near full, so it's not ideal, but given the circumstances, it's probably your best bet.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:00 PM on May 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
With that, here's information about meteor showers from AMS Meteors.org. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which occurs from roughly late April to mid-May, offers a long stretch of spectacular "shooting stars" that even a casual observer can spot in the night sky (Space.com). The best viewing is early morning, and the moon is near full, so it's not ideal, but given the circumstances, it's probably your best bet.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:00 PM on May 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
I live near Eugene. The state parks are closed through May. Many cities have parks open, however. No museums, music venues, wineries, etc are open. I understand the desire to take a road trip and I think if you stay in your car, take a loaded cooler with you, sleep at BLM sites or motels, limit walking around to sparsely populated regions it's okay. I recommend -but don't know if they're open-the Painted Hills/John Day area, the high desert area, any outdoor secluded space. I think the Gorge beaches will be closed, fyi.
posted by DixieBaby at 7:37 AM on May 3, 2020
posted by DixieBaby at 7:37 AM on May 3, 2020
BLM lands may be open but it's iffy whether any services are staffed or available, so I would be prepared to pack out all your trash, including toilet paper.
posted by nakedmolerats at 1:33 PM on May 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by nakedmolerats at 1:33 PM on May 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
A friend recently drove from NM to CA and said it was a really rough trip. No bathrooms are open anywhere -- gas stations, rest stops, etc. so ended up peeing behind dumpsters. No hotels and no campgrounds open, and BLM land hard to find if you don't know the area, or not near the highway. They ended up driving longer stretches because they couldn't find places to stop for the night, or sleeping in the car. If you are determined to do it, I would make sure you have confirmed places to camp, including BLM spots, before you go.
posted by gingerbeer at 7:10 PM on May 4, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by gingerbeer at 7:10 PM on May 4, 2020 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Followup for any future readers:
We took I-70 thru Grand Junction rather than I-80 thru Ft. Collins. Only added 45 minutes. Glenwood Canyon is awesome. Grand Mesa is cool. Capitol Reef is cool!
Then, at Boise, we went north to Boardman and down the Columbia Gorge, rather than thru Burns and Bend. Only added 30 mins.
posted by cyclicker at 3:11 PM on May 15, 2020
We took I-70 thru Grand Junction rather than I-80 thru Ft. Collins. Only added 45 minutes. Glenwood Canyon is awesome. Grand Mesa is cool. Capitol Reef is cool!
Then, at Boise, we went north to Boardman and down the Columbia Gorge, rather than thru Burns and Bend. Only added 30 mins.
posted by cyclicker at 3:11 PM on May 15, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Juniper Toast at 3:47 PM on May 2, 2020 [2 favorites]