Pack up your fishing pole, tent or hiking shoes, the great outdoors is back open to explore.
Shuttered parking lots at popular county-run parks and wilderness areas have reopened making access easier for much more of Orange County.
Amy Winget and Brendon Bustamante enjoy the reopening of Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley where they rent a Surrey bike on Sunday, May 17, 2020. Although they came for the swan paddle boats which was still closed, they didn’t let it dampen their mood. “We just wanted to get out and get sunshine,” Winget said. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alexander Flores, 9, says he’s happy to be outside playing again at Mile Square Park with family and friends on
Sunday, May 17, 2020. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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A human-watching bird hangs out at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley on Sunday, May 17, 2020. The park reopened on Saturday after the coronavirus shutdown.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alexander Flores, 9, says he’s happy to be outside playing again at Mile Square Park with family and friends on
Sunday, May 17, 2020. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley reopened on Saturday and people were out on Sunday, May 17, 2020 enjoying the tranquilty. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A fisherman fishes at the lake at Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim on Sunday, May 17, 2020 the day after Orange County officials opened county parks and wilderness areas as restrictions ease amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A group of people walk dogs along the trail near the lake at Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim on Sunday, May 17, 2020 the day after Orange County officials opened county parks and wilderness areas as restrictions ease amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A graduate, left, holds on to her graduation cap as a photographer takes her photo near the lake at Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim on Sunday, May 17, 2020 the day after Orange County officials opened county parks and wilderness areas as restrictions ease amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A couple enjoys a Sunday afternoon by the lake at Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim on Sunday, May 17, 2020. The day before, Orange County officials opened county parks and wilderness areas as restrictions ease amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Several families from the Anaheim Hills and Yorba Linda area gathered near the lake at Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim on Sunday, May 17, 2020 a day after Orange County officials county parks and wilderness areas as restrictions ease amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A couple relaxes by the lake on a sunny afternoon at Yorba Regional Park
in Anaheim on Sunday, May 17, 2020. The day before, Orange County officials opened county parks and wilderness areas as restrictions ease amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People walk along the trail afternoon near the lake at Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim on Sunday, May 17, 2020 the day after Orange County officials opened county parks and wilderness areas as restrictions ease amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bikers ride the trail near the lake at Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim on Sunday, May 17, 2020 the day after Orange County officials opened county parks and wilderness areas as restrictions ease amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A fishermen walks past others fishing just off the road on the west shoreline of Irvine Lake in Silverado on Saturday, May 16, 2020, as Orange County officials reopen closed parking lots at OC parks and wilderness areas with signs posted for social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A fishermen stands on the west shoreline of Irvine Lake in Silverado on Saturday, May 16, 2020, as Orange County officials reopen closed parking lots at OC parks and wilderness areas with signs posted for social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
With the hillsides and dam as a backdrop, a few fishermen gather along the west shoreline of Irvine Lake in Silverado on Saturday, May 16, 2020, after Orange County officials reopen closed parking lots at OC parks and wilderness areas with signs posted for social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A fishermen sits in the shade of an umbrella as he fishes just after sunrise along the west shoreline of Irvine Lake in Silverado on Saturday, May 16, 2020, as Orange County officials reopen closed parking lots at OC parks and wilderness areas with signs posted for social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
With signs posted for social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, cars fill the parking lot of Irvine Lake in Silverado as Orange County officials reopen closed parking lots at OC parks and wilderness areas on Saturday, May 16, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fishermen gather along the west shoreline of Irvine Lake in Silverado on Saturday, May 16, 2020, as Orange County officials reopen closed parking lots at OC parks and wilderness areas with signs posted for social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fishermen walk to the west shoreline of Irvine Lake in Silverado as Orange County officials reopened the closed parking lots of OC parks and wilderness areas on Saturday, May 16, 2020. Signs for social distancing were posted for those getting outside amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fishermen walk to the west shoreline of Irvine Lake in Silverado past a sign for social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic as Orange County officials reopened the closed parking lots of OC parks and wilderness areas on Saturday, May 16, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fishermen make their way from the parking lot to Irvine Lake in Silverado as Orange County officials reopened the closed parking lots of OC parks and wilderness areas on Saturday, May 16, 2020. Signs for social distancing were posted for those getting outside amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A fishermen sits in the shade of an umbrella as he fishes just after sunrise along the west shoreline of Irvine Lake in Silverado on Saturday, May 16, 2020, as Orange County officials reopen closed parking lots at OC parks and wilderness areas with signs posted for social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fishermen hold their poles just after sunrise along the west shoreline of Irvine Lake in Silverado on Saturday, May 16, 2020, as Orange County officials reopen closed parking lots at OC parks and wilderness areas with signs posted for social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Amy Winget and Brendon Bustamante enjoy the reopening of Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley where they rent a Surrey bike on Sunday, May 17, 2020. Although they came for the swan paddle boats which was still closed, they didn’t let it dampen their mood. “We just wanted to get out and get sunshine,” Winget said. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Maria Pope attempts to setup a tent at her O’Neill Regional Park campsite in Trabuco Canyon on Saturday, May 16, 2020 but discovers there are missing parts. The Park just reopened after being closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Evan Winn, 7, enjoys a swing set up by family friends at O’Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon where the two families were camping on Saturday, May 16, 2020. The park just reopened after the coronavirus shutdown. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Maria Pope checks Facebook after setting up her campsite at O’Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon on Saturday, May 16, 2020. The Park just reopened, with limited camping sites, after being closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brandon Benson enjoys being outside with his son Oliver, 3, at O’Neill Regional Park after the park’s coronavirus reopening on Saturday, May 16, 2020 in Trabuco Canyon. Oliver has a rare genetic disorder and keeping him entertained has been a challenge, Benson said. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The area’s beaches already reopened for people looking to get out and walk, run, surf or otherwise be active – several of their parking lots are starting to open – and over the weekend a few county campgrounds opened as well.
“I’m just ready to be out of the house,” said Maria Pope, who set up a tent and the hammock she received at Christmas, but hadn’t been able to use yet, at O’Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon on Saturday. “Even though I’m not talking to them, I feel like I’m with people. … It’s really nice to be outdoors – trees, greenery, birds, fresh air.”
Caspers Wilderness Park also reopened, but both campgrounds have only about half their sites available for rent to keep people spread out.
While many of the parks stayed open for the past two months, they were mostly accessible only to people who could walk or bike into the areas. Closing lots was meant to deter visitors from afar during the stay-at-home orders.
On Saturday, anglers spread out on the shore of Irvine Lake for the first day of resumed fishing after several weeks of the lake being off-limits.
Officials have continuously tried to balance the importance of exercise and benefits to mental health that can be found by going outdoors, while trying to curb the crowds and the potential to spread the coronavirus.
The opening of OC Parks lots over the weekend applies only to county-operated parks and wilderness areas. City- or state-operated parks fall under separate rules and regulations, though many are also starting to lift restrictions and allow more access.
Officials still urge people to use caution while outdoors: physical distancing, hand washing and following other public health guidelines. Avoid areas and trails that may be crowded with other users.
Playgrounds, picnic shelters, nature centers and other buildings in the parks will remain closed. The OC Zoo remains closed.
For a full list of park openings, go to OCParks.com
Staff Writer Theresa Walker contributed to this report.
