A hurricane on the Gulf Coast and the first real snow in the Northern Rockies changed a lot of camping plans this week. Here’s what’s closed, what’s back open, and the dates to watch before you hitch up.
On the road
Hurricane Isaias closes Gulf Islands National Seashore, including Fort Pickens
Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, at about 9:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, Oct. 9, as a Category 2 hurricane with 105 mph winds (Florida Governor’s Office). Gulf Islands National Seashore closed ahead of the storm, including the Fort Pickens, Santa Rosa (Opal Beach), Perdido Key (Johnson Beach), Fort Barrancas, Naval Live Oaks and Okaloosa areas in Florida and all of the Mississippi barrier islands (NPS Gulf Islands). The park plans to reassess conditions on Tuesday, Oct. 13 (NPS Gulf Islands).
Mississippi’s Davis Bayou area and campground reopened on Oct. 11, while the Florida areas and Highway 399 on Santa Rosa Island stayed closed (WUWF). Florida reopened Grayton Beach State Park on Oct. 11 after a 16-hour bridge repair, and keeps the current list of closed state parks at FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates (Florida Governor’s Office). Campgrounds in several Panhandle state forests, including Blackwater River, closed on Oct. 8 (Florida Forest Service).
Why it matters: If you booked Fort Pickens for Thanksgiving (one of our November picks), keep the reservation for now and watch the park’s update after Oct. 13. If you’re heading to the Panhandle this month, check FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates and FL511 before you leave, and expect debris crews and power outages near the coast.
Glacier closes the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road
Glacier closed Going-to-the-Sun Road between Avalanche and Jackson Glacier Overlook at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, ahead of rain, snow and gusty wind, and hasn’t set a reopening date (NPS Glacier). Mountain passes were expected to get 3 to 5 inches of snow, along with a hard freeze (Flathead Beacon). The alpine section usually closes for the winter around the third Monday of October, which is Oct. 19 this year (NPS Glacier).
Why it matters: Treat Logan Pass as done for 2026 unless the park announces a reopening. Plan on the Lake McDonald side, and check the park’s road map the morning you drive in.
Yosemite’s Glacier Point Road reopens as the Dome Fire reaches 69% containment
Glacier Point Road reopened at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, and the Dome Fire was 69% contained at 6,805 acres on Oct. 11 (NPS Yosemite). Chilnualna Falls Trail is open again to Chilnualna Fall and Crescent Lake, but the Buena Vista Trail, trails inside the fire area, and the south- and eastbound trails off Glacier Point Road stay closed (NPS Yosemite). Fire restrictions remain in effect below 8,000 feet, and rain and possible mountain snow were forecast from Sunday night through Monday night (NPS Yosemite).
Why it matters: You can drive to Glacier Point again. Watch for fire crews along the road, check the closure map before any hike near Wawona, and pack chains or cables if you’re coming in after the storm.
Thursday’s deadlines: North Kaibab closes, Furnace Creek goes reservation-only
The North Kaibab Trail closes between Redwall Bridge and the north end of Cottonwood Campground at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, through about February, and Cottonwood’s water shuts off the same day (NPS Grand Canyon). The same day, Death Valley’s Furnace Creek Campground starts its reservation season, which runs through Apr. 15 (NPS Death Valley). In Rocky Mountain, Old Fall River Road is closed to everyone Oct. 13 – 16, then reopens to walkers, bikes and leashed pets on Oct. 17 for the winter (NPS Rocky Mountain).
Why it matters: Rim-to-rim hikers have until Thursday night. If you want Furnace Creek for Thanksgiving week, book on Recreation.gov now, not when you arrive.
Gas stays at a record high for fall
The AAA national average was $4.36 on Oct. 8, down 5 cents on the week but still the highest ever for this time of year, and this is the first October the average has topped $4 (AAA). California led at $6.34 a gallon, while Ohio was lowest at $3.71 (AAA).
Why it matters: If your route crosses state lines, fill up in the cheaper state. Arizona to California and Idaho to Washington are the big gaps this week.
Campgrounds in the works
Blue Ridge Parkway reopens Julian Price loops in time for leaf season
Loops B and D at Julian Price Campground (milepost 297, near Blowing Rock) are open again after Hurricane Helene, with reservations through Oct. 30 on Recreation.gov (NPS Blue Ridge Parkway). That adds about 100 campsites (WSOC-TV). The parkway is now open from milepost 63.7 in Virginia to Little Switzerland near milepost 344, and the last 11 miles, mileposts 344 to 355, are slated to reopen by the end of 2026 (