Swimming camping reopening at state parks next week

Put on a swim suit and get the camper ready. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will reopen camping and designated swimming areas Thursday.

All reservation-only campsites and first-come campsites — with two exceptions — will be available to all camping units, including RVs, camping trailers and tents.

Mormon Island and Danish Alps state recreation areas will remain closed to overnight camping due to high COVID-19 incidence in those communities, the commission said in a press release.

Game and Parks reminds park guests to practice social distancing to ensure compliance with the state's directed health measures.

Park areas that will accommodate advance reservations for up to 50% of available campsites are listed on the agency website, OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Other details:

To provide for more opportunity for campers, the maximum length of stay will be seven days.

Park offices remain closed at this time. Campers must pay for reserved sites online or for first-come, first-served sites via iron rangers.

Shower houses and modern restrooms will open. Guests should bring soap or disinfecting wipes as availability of sanitation products is limited nationally.

Outdoor playgrounds will open but guests should bring their own hand sanitizer.

"We are thrilled at the prospect of more people enjoying our parks, but it is critical that they recreate responsibly," Parks Division Administrator Jim Swenson said in a press release. "Responsible recreation is very important, and guests need to continue to practice social distancing, follow all posted rules, keep group sizes small and practice good personal hygiene."

The commission also asks that guests minimize travel distance, avoid high-touch areas and stick to low-risk activities to reduce stress on local emergency response and health care systems.

Park guests are encouraged to buy state park and fishing permits ahead of time at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at a vendor.

Bison roam the canyons, hills, and grasslands of Fort Robinson State Park in northwest Nebraska.

Rick Brandt of Roca, Nebraska, saddles his mules at the Peterson Wildlife Management Area in Fort Robinson State Park.

Bighorn sheep are dropped gently at a site in Fort Robinson State Park near Chadron, Nebraska. The sheep were collected and airlifted to the park as part of an ongoing wildlife conservation and tracking effort.

Texas longhorns from the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge enjoy the scenic surroundings of the Red Cloud Buttes at Fort Robinson State Park.

Rain hits Saddle Butte at Fort Robinson State Park in Dawes County, Nebraska.

Mule deer weather a snowstorm on U.S. Forest Service land near the Black Hills Overlook on the west edge of Chadron State Park.

The West Ash fire burns at Chadron State Park near Chadron Neb., in Dawes County. In 2012, a pair of wildfires forced authorities to close the park, cancel classes, and evacuate about 150 residents.

Less than a year after the fires, green grass returns to the hillsides at Chadron State Park, but it will take decades to replace burned ponderosa pines.

Located about 25 minutes east of Valentine, Smith Falls State Park encompasses trails, campgrounds, and riverbanks along both sides of the scenic Niobrara River.

A historic iron footbridge leads to a boardwalk and the base of Smith Falls.

Smith Falls is the highest waterfall in Nebraska, standing at 70 feet tall.

Overlooking the Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, Niobrara State Park gives visitors a panoramic view of the rivers and valleys below.

Using GPS coordinates, geocachers at Niobrara State Park go in search of hidden treasures.

A young whitetail buck can be seen through the trees along the road to Niobrara State Park. The winter months offer an exceptional opportunity to view wildlife in the park.

At the entrance to Ponca State Park stands the Towers of Time monument, featuring three towers, a fountain, waterfall, and reflecting pool. The monument is a celebration of the region's natural and cultural environment.

Alicia Wielgus of Columbus, Neb., lifts a common carp out of a water tank at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park.

Jonathan Wood of Roxbury, N.Y., prepares a barn owl for a demonstration during his Extreme Raptor show during the Missouri River Outdoor Expo. Wood showed falcons, owls, a bald eagle, and other raptors from around the world.

Birds take flight at Ponca State Park in Ponca, Nebraska.

An aerial photo of Eugene Mahoney State Park, Nebraska's most popular state park.

Ace, the horse, shows Melynda Schmit, of Kearney, Neb., how much he wants to be fed just before the horseback riding begins.

Rainy weather doesn't deter Kylee Batchelor, left, and Trent Barnes from enjoying Memorial Day weekend as they kiss on a paddle boat in E. T. Mahoney State Park.

Geese ignore a sign at Platte River State Park.

Fifth graders from Plattsmouth Middle School take part in an archery lesson. Nearly 2,000 school children participated in the Outdoor Discovery Program at Platte River State Park, trying out activities such as fishing, archery, kayaking, shooting, and other outdoor activities.

Students from Fairview Elementary School kayak at Platte River State Park as part of the Outdoor Discovery Program.

"Glamping," a portmanteau of "glamour" and "camping," defines the effort to experience nature without sacrificing the comforts of modern living. Three new glamping cabins were unveiled last year at Platte River State Park in Louisville, Nebraska.

Park visitors climb the stairs to the cave at Indian Cave State Park.

Emily Welch, age 6, and her mother Lisa Welch of Hamburg, IA, visit Indian Cave at Indian Cave State Park. On the cave walls, petroglyphs carved by Native Americans thousands of years ago can be seen.

In 2011, high water from the Missouri River closed the lower roads along the river at Indian Cave State Park. Due to statewide flooding during March of this year, access to the cave and river has once again been restricted.