Reopening of RV Parks, Lodges and Dining in National Parks

Xanterra Travel Collection, announced today and posted on its website https://www.xanterra.com/national-park-re-openings/ the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on what’s opening and expected to open, and the new guidelines and protocols in this post quarantine COVID-19 summer of 2020. 

TIPS ON RESERVATIONS, CANCELLATIONS AND WHERE TO GET THE BEST INFORMATION
 

According to Betsy O’Rourke, Chief Marketing Officer for Xanterra, there are several tips and things to note when planning a trip or vacation at a Xanterra property in one of the respective national parks:

1. Lodging can book up to 13 months in advance, but this year we’ve seen cancellations from international visitors due to border closures and flight restrictions. Thus there are more rooms available than in past summers, so vacationers should visit the website often to see if cabins and hotel rooms have opened.
2. The more flexible vacationers are with their travel plans, the more likely they will be to secure accommodations, particularly close in to their departure date as our cancellations tend to come within two weeks of the arrival date.
3. Food and beverage options include grab and go and take out options in all of our parks.
4. Campgrounds and RV parks are selling out very fast, but again, there are cancellations, so keep trying.
5. There is a health and safety “link” on every home page for every national park concessions Xanterra operates that will take vacationers to the latest guidelines, regulations and information on the ever-changing post quarantine world we now live in.  It would be very wise to visit this page frequently as guidelines can change allowing more services to open up.
6. Visitors are encouraged to wear facial coverings in all indoor public spaces and practice social distancing. 

DEATH VALLEY & THE OASIS AT DEATH VALLEY, CALIF.

The Oasis at Death Valley and Death Valley National Park are presently closed.  However, it is anticipated that the Oasis at Death Valley, a privately-owned resort that has recently benefited from a $150 million renovation, on State Highway CA-190, will open on Monday June 15.  Only The Ranch will be open.  The Inn at Death Valley will be closed during the summer months of 2020, reopening on October 1, 2020. The historic Ranch at Death Valley, 1 mile down the road, is open during the summer and offers a hub of activity. From the spring-fed pool, wide-open spaces that offer you room to roam, to world-renowned stargazing and the world’s lowest elevation USGA golf course, The Ranch offers something for everyone all year round.  For the latest information and reservations visit www.oasisatdeathvalley.com.

Most, but not all of Death Valley National Park is scheduled to reopen on June 15. Check with the NPS for details.

GRAND CANYON, SOUTH RIM, AZ

All Grand Canyon National Park Lodges operations are anticipated to open on a rolling basis, starting on June 5 with the opening of Maswik Lodge, followed by June 10^th opening of El Tovar and Kachina and June 15^th opening of Bright Angel Lodge and Thunderbird Lodge. Vacationers are urged to frequently check www.grandcanyonlodges.com for current news and updates.  Reservations are being accepted for June 5 and beyond. There are rooms available this summer, fall and winter.

GRAND CANYON RAILWAY, AZ

The Grand Canyon Railway and the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel will open and the train will run on June 15.  Visit www.xanterra.com for updated and current information on both the hotel and the train (www.thetrain.com).   Xanterra is taking reservations for the hotel and train for Monday, June 15 and beyond.  The RV park at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is open and currently taking reservations.
The Grand Canyon Railway runs from Williams, AZ on historic Rt. 66 to within steps of South Rim, Grand Canyon and El Tovar.  The pristine train, comprised of railcars from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, including luxury dome cars and open platform observations car, as well as vintage coaches with opening windows, departs at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 5:45 p.m. with a 2.5-hour layover at South Rim of Grand Canyon. Assigned seating will enable social distancing. There are also private vintage train cars available for charter.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK AND CEDAR CREEK LODGE, MT

Cedar Creek Lodge is now open. Glacier National Park Lodges will reopen on a rolling basis starting with Lake McDonald and Village Inn opening on June 15^th, Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins through Friday, June 19 and Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins on Friday, June 26.  We will keep information updated on www.glaciernationalparklodges.com.   Vacationers are advised to monitor the situation closely.  Presently Xanterra is taking reservations for Cedar Creek Lodge and for June 15 and beyond for Glacier National Park Lodges. You can still make your vacation a reality this year – book in the summer, fall or winter now. Glacier National Park is a timeless beauty, and you can still make time to experience this magnificent destination this year.  The famous Red Bus tours are currently scheduled to resume on July 16, 2020.  The border with Canada is presently closed.

MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, SD

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is open seven days a week now.   Xanterra’s retail concessions are open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. local time.  The Carvers Café is scheduled to reopen on June 15 serving lunch to-go menu only.  Times are still TBD.   Please check www.mtrushmorenationalmemorial.com for additional and the most current information from Xanterra and check with the NPS for general information on the National Memorial.