As states across the country begin the slow process of reopening, I’ve started hearing chatter about planning domestic trips this summer from friends/coworkers; for the most part it’s either something in-state or maybe in a neighboring state. And of course, with Memorial Day weekend upon us, the chatter grows louder. With that in mind, I put together this handy complete guide to state reopenings by state. Disclaimer: I made every attempt to make this accurate, and plan on updating this post as frequently as possible. However, I cannot guarantee accuracy, so if you have better information, please share and I’ll update.
A Few Notes Before We Begin
Just because states allow certain services doesn’t mean every business is actually open. For example, Texas allowed restaurants to re-open dining rooms in limited fashion on May 1, but many remain take-out or delivery only. Likewise, even if a state allows museums, zoos, and other “entertainment venues” to open, not all might choose to do so. Check in advance before wasting a day or weekend to see something that might be closed. Also, I don’t include golf courses in “entertainment venues”; most state permit those to operate, regardless of other restrictions.
Anyone considering traveling should consider both their appetite for risk, and the added inconvenience of travel in a partially reopened world. Does the thought of flying on full planes or wearing a mask for 3+ hours bother you? Then you probably shouldn’t get on a plane right now.
If road tripping, keep in mind the challenge of driving long distances in a restaurant model still dominated takeout/curbside delivery. Driving four hours, then only finding a drive-through only McDonald’s open at the next exit? Think about the prospect of either finding an open city park, or eating Big Macs and fries in the car in a hot parking lot. For that matter, with “social distancing lines” used to control access to things like grocery stores and Walmart, buying a pack of diapers isn’t necessarily a quick 5 minute stop anymore. Stuff happens, even on a 2-hour drive to a park in another county. If you can’t deal with the potential inconvenience, don’t go.
I did not attempt to address mask requirements, because these often vary by city or county. If venturing out of your home city, always check and abide by the rules of your destination.
Finally, I strongly advise avoiding any location remaining under a “stay at home” order. I am not a lawyer, but leisure travel to a location where “nonessential” travel remains banned for locals sounds like a bad idea. You might just consider getting a private country club membership instead. Those who have a country club membership may spend a day or two at the country club to enjoy their amenities such as golf, swimming, sports, etc.
Last updated: Saturday, August 15
Alabama
- Stay at home order: expired April 30
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity, maximum 8 persons per table
- Bars: permitted up to 50% capacity, maximum 8 persons per table
- Entertainment venues: closed
- Beaches: open, with 6-foot separation required between persons
- State parks: most day use and campgrounds openHere are national parks facts for those who want to camp on such locations.
Alaska
- Stay at home order: expired April 24
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted without restrictions
- Bars: permitted without restrictions
- Entertainment venues: allowed without restrictions
- State parks: open for day use; some campgrounds open
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy rather unexpectedly announced the termination of all business restrictions effective May 22. However, individual cities/villages can maintain their own restrictions. UPDATE: see my recent post regarding changes to quarantine requirements. Basically, visitors can choose between testing or a 14-day quarantine. UPDATE 2: effective August 11, nonresidents must test within 72 hours of departure. Self-quarantine is no longer an option. Nonresidents may test on arrival at a cost of $250.
In addition, local jurisdictions may continue restricting nonresident visitors.
Arizona
- Stay at home order: expired May 16
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted at 50% capacity
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: allowed but must follow distancing guidelines; movie theaters, water parks, and tubing operations closed
- State parks: most parks open for day use and camping with capacity controls
Travelers arriving by air from Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Grand Canyon National Park reopened on a limited basis May 15th.
Arkansas
- Stay at home order: non issued
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 33% occupancy (66% effective June 15)
- Bars: permitted up to 33% occupancy (66% effective June 15)
- Entertainment venues: open with capacity limits
- State parks: most parks open for day use; camping allowed only in RVs with bathrooms
California
- Stay at home order: remains in effect indefinitely
- Dine-in restaurants: outdoor seating areas only
- Bars: not permitted
- Beaches: open at local option; use rules vary by location
- Entertainment venues: most closed
- State parks: many closed and/or with very limited access
Much of California (30 counties, anyway) is back on pretty much total lockdown. I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
Colorado
- Stay at home order: expired April 26
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity or 50 people, whichever is less
- Bars: not permitted, unless operating as a restaurant
- Entertainment venues: some recreation centers and sports facilities can open with capacity limitations
- State parks: open for day use; some now allow overnight camping on a limited basis
Note that while the state does not expressly ban visitors, some counties continue to restrict or outright ban visits by non-residents. This often includes travel for outdoor recreation purposes, even by other Colorado residents (see Huerfano and La Plata counties). Check county-specific restrictions before planning even a day trip or look into a colorado springs adventure package.
Connecticut
- Stay at home order: expired May 20
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50%
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: allowed with capacity restrictions
- Beaches: open, but subject to local restrictions; must maintain 15 feet distance between parties
- State parks: most open for day use and camping
Connecticut requires travelers arriving from designated “high risk” states to quarantine for 14 days, unless they provide proof of a negative test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival.
Delaware
- Stay at home order: expired May 31
- Dine-in restaurants: allowed at 60% capacity
- Bars: allowed at 60% capacity; not permitted in eastern Sussex County
- Entertainment venues: some open, such as state museums
- Beaches: open, subject to 6-foot separation between parties
- State parks: open for day use; no camping permitted
The ban on home rentals and hotel use by non-residents, along with the mandatory 14-day quarantine for nonresidents, expired June 1.
District of Columbia
- Stay at home order: expired May 29
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: closed, though venues can apply for waivers for arts or cultural events
Effective July 27, DC requires travelers arriving from 29 states deemed “high risk” to quarantine for 14 days.
Florida
- Stay at home order: expired May 4
- Dine-in restaurants: allowed up to 50% capacity; not permitted in parts of South Florida
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: museums and zoos permitted at 50% capacity at local option; amusement parks may submit reopening plans but unclear if any are open at this time
- Beaches: open but subject to local restrictions
- State parks: most open for day use with capacity controls; campgrounds and other overnight accommodations opening on a park-by-park basis
Florida’s mandatory quarantine for travelers from Connecticut, Louisiana, New Jersey, and New York remains in effect. In addition, counties only received permission to seek approval to operate vacation rentals on May 18th. I imagine many, if not most, vacation rentals remain off-limits, though expect availability to increase as summer progresses.
Georgia
- Stay at home order: expired April 30
- Dine-in restaurants: allowed without restrictions
- Bars: allowed subject to “distancing and sanitation protocols”, maximum 50 persons or 35% capacity
- Entertainment venues: mostly open with capacity limits
- Beaches: open
- State parks: open for day use and camping with capacity controls
Hawai’i
- Stay at home order: partially relaxed May 7
- Dine-in restaurants: open with restrictions on Oahu (June 5) and Big Island
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: some facilities open on Oahu
- State parks: open for day use hiking and recreation only
Hawai’i continues to enforce an effective ban on tourists with a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all arrivals. It remains in effect at least through June 30. And the state doesn’t mess around; they do send people to jail for breaking quarantine. Update: the governor extended the nonresident quarantine to August 31. This past week, Ige announced that the quarantine would “likely” be extended beyond August 31. An inter-island quarantine was also partially reinstated on August 11.
Idaho
- Stay at home order: expired April 30
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Bars: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Entertainment venues: all allowed to open as of June 13
- State parks: open for day use and limited camping
The state “strongly encourages” nonresident visitors to quarantine for 14 days if arriving from an area with “substantial community spread”. However, this term, and specific locations it applies to, are not defined.
Illinois
- Stay at home order: expired May 29
- Dine-in restaurants: allowed up to 25% capacity plus outdoor seating
- Bars: not permitted; open for outdoor seating early
- Entertainment venues: most open with capacity restrictions (generally 50 people or 50% capacity)
- State parks: open
Indiana
- Stay at home order: expired May 1
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 75% capacity
- Bars: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Entertainment venues: most now open up to 50% capacity; casinos reopen June 15
- State parks: most open for day use and camping effective
Iowa
- Stay at home order: none issued
- Dine-in restaurants: no capacity restrictions, but must maintain 6 feet between tables
- Bars: no capacity restrictions, but must maintain 6 feet between tables
- Entertainment venues: most allowed to open
- State parks: most open for day use and camping
Kansas
- Stay at home order: expired May 3
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted, but must maintain 6-foot separation between tables
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: closed; casinos open
- State parks: open for day use and camping
Kentucky
- Stay at home order: expired May 11
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity, plus outdoor seating
- Bars: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Entertainment venues: opening in phases on June 1 and June 8 (distilleries open June 8)
- State parks: regular parks open for day use; “resort” parks open; campgrounds open to RVs with self-contained bathrooms only
Kentucky maintained an effective ban on tourism through a 14-day quarantine for out-of-state visitors. Currently, Kentucky only “advises” persons arriving from 9 states to self-quarantine for 14 days. However, it is not an order.
Louisiana
- Stay at home order: expired May 15
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: closed
- Beaches: appear open (though there are only a few in the state)
- State parks: open for day use; camping for Louisiana residents only until at least May 31
Maine
- Stay at home order: expired May 31
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50%
- Bars: outdoor service only
- Entertainment venues: open with capacity restrictions
- Beaches: most open
Maine currently enforces both a ban on short-term lodging, including hotel rooms, and a mandatory 14-day quarantine for out-of-state travelers. This effectively bans tourism to the state. The lodging ban ends June 1. Update: following in Alaska’s footsteps, nonresident visitors may either present a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in lieu of a 14-day quarantine, or may test on arrival but quarantine until results are received.
Massachusetts
- Stay at home order: expired May 18
- Dine-in restaurants: outdoor seating only
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment, venues: most open with capacity restrictions
- Beaches: open
- State parks: most open for day use and camping
Massachusetts currently requires all out-of-state travelers to quarantine for 14 days, effectively banning tourism to the state, except from certain Northeastern states. Travelers can avoid quarantine by providing proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours of arrival. This order remains in effect indefinitely.
Maryland
- Stay at home order: expired May 15
- Dine-in restaurants: allowed up to 50% capacity
- Bars: not permitted; however outdoor seating allowed at breweries, wineries, and distilleries
- Entertainment venues: some such as amusement parks and miniature golf open up to 50% capacity
- Beaches: open, but subject to local restrictions
- State parks: most open for day use; campgrounds and other overnight accommodations opening on a park-by-park basis
Maryland “strongly advises” residents not to travel to states with positivity rates exceeding 10%. It further advises residents to get tested if visiting these states and quarantine until results are received. However, it does not explicitly ban travel to or from these states.
Michigan
- Stay at home order: expired June 1
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted at 50% capacity
- Bars: not permitted, except in the Upper Peninsula
- Entertainment venues: limited facilities, such as museums, now open
- State parks: most open for day use and camping
Minnesota
- Stay at home order: expired May 18
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity plus outdoor seating (reservations required)
- Bars: not permitted; outdoor seating with maximum capacity of 50 persons
- Entertainment venues: some indoor venues now open at 25% capacity
- State parks: most open for day use; limited camping
Mississippi
- Stay at home order: expired April 27
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Bars: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Entertainment venues: some open up to 25% capacity
- Beaches: open with distancing requirements
- State parks: open for day use; camping in RVs with self-contained bathrooms only
While all Mississippi state and local parks and beaches opened on May 4th, they remain open only between 9 am and 7 pm. The state’s casinos remain closed indefinitely.
Missouri
- Stay at home order: expired May 3
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted, but must maintain 6-foot distance between tables; all statewide restrictions end June 15
- Bars: permitted, but must maintain 6-foot distance between tables; all statewide restrictions end June 16
- Entertainment venues: open, subject to distancing requirements; all statewide restrictions end June 16
- State parks: most open for day use and camping
Individual cities/counties may enact restrictions more strict than those listed above.
Montana
- Stay at home order: expired April 24
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 75% capacity
- Bars: permitted up to 75% capacity
- Entertainment venues: some allowed at reduced capacity
- State parks: most open for day use and camping
The mandatory 14-day quarantine for nonresidents expired on June 1.
Nebraska
- Stay at home order: none issued
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted at full capacity in most locations; 50% in 3 counties
- Bars: permitted at full capacity in most locations; 50% in 3 counties
- Entertainment venues: most now open
- State parks: open for day use; limited camping
Nebraska requires a 14-day self-quarantine for residents returning from international travel.
Nevada
- Stay at home order: expired May 15, except for over 65 and those with serious health conditions
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Bars: permitted up to 50% capacity; not permitted in 4 counties, including Las Vegas and Reno
- Entertainment venues: most open with restrictions and capacity limits
- State parks: most open for day use; no camping
Notably, Nevada casinos remain closed by state order. However, some casinos have begun to plan for reopening. Update: casinos reopened June 4.
New Hampshire
- Stay at home order: expired June 15
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted at full capacity in 6 counties; 50% in other counties
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: most open with limitations
- Beaches: open for recreational use only; no sitting on the beach
- State parks: most open for day use, some with capacity controls; camping only for New Hampshire residents at certain parks
Nonresidents may only stay in lodging facilities if they first complete a 14-day quarantine.
New Jersey
- Stay at home order: expired June 9
- Dine-in restaurants: outdoor dining only
- Bars: outdoor seating only
- Entertainment venues: most open, with capacity restrictions
- Beaches: open with distancing guidelines
- State parks: open for day use only
New Jersey requires visitors from designated “high risk” states to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
New Mexico
- Stay at home order: expired May 31
- Dine-in restaurants: not permitted
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: closed
- State parks: open only to New Mexico residents
New Mexico requires all out-of-state visitors to quarantine for 14 days, effectively banning tourism to the state.
New York
- Stay at home order: remains in effect indefinitely; expired in seven Upstate regions
- Dine-in restaurants: allowed up to 50% capacity, except in New York City
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: some open with capacity restrictions
- Beaches: some open on Long Island
- State parks: most open for limited day use, with capacity restrictions
New York requires visitors from designated “high risk” states to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
North Carolina
- Stay at home order: expires May 22
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Bars: not permitted through at least June 26
- Entertainment venues: closed through at least June 26
- Beaches: open with distancing requirements
- State parks: open for day use with capacity controls; no camping
North Dakota
- Stay at home order: none issued
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 75% capacity
- Bars: permitted up to 75% capacity
- Entertainment venues: open up to 50% capacity
- State parks: open for day use; limited camping available at certain parks
Oklahoma
- Stay at home order: expired May 6
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted; no specific capacity restrictions but must meet distancing and sanitation protocols
- Bars: permitted, with “diminished standing room capacity as appropriate”
- Entertainment venues: appears closed, except for movie theaters
- State parks: most open for day use; limited camping at selected parks
Oklahoma currently enforces a mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers from California, Connecticut, Louisiana, New Jersey, and New York.
Ohio
- Stay at home order: expired May 19
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted but must maintain 6 feet between tables
- Bars: permitted but must maintain 6 feet between tables
- Entertainment venues: most now open; casinos and amusement parks reopen June 19
- State parks: most open for day use; campgrounds reopened May 21 but reservations required
Ohio “advises” travelers from states with positivity rates exceeding 15% to self-quarantine for 14 days. However, it is not a mandate.
Oregon
- Stay at home order: currently in effect only in Umatilla County
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted but must maintain 6 feet between tables; service must end by 10 pm (except metro Portland counties)
- Bars: permitted, but must maintain 6 feet between tables; service must end by 10 pm (except metro Portland counties)
- Entertainment venues: closed
- Beaches: some open, mostly in the southern part of the state
- State parks: some open for day use; no camping until June 9
Pennsylvania
- Stay at home order: expired in all counties as of June 4
- Dine-in restaurants: allowed up to 50% capacity
- Bars: allowed up to 50% capacity
- Entertainment venues: allowed up to 50% capacity
- State parks: open for day use; limited camping, cabins, and lodges available at some parks
Pennsylvania “recommends” that visitors from certain high-risk states self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
Rhode Island
- Stay at home order: expired May 8
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 66% capacity
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: some open with capacity restrictions
- Beaches: open
- State parks: some open for day use only
Travelers from states with positivity rates above 5% must either a) self-quarantine for 14 days; b) present proof of a negative test result taken within 72 hours of arrival; or c) test in Rhode Island at the traveler’s expense and self-quarantine until results arrive. Travelers must present a “certificate of compliance” to their hotel upon arrival.
South Carolina
- Stay at home order: expired May 4
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Bars: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Entertainment venues: most allowed to reopen
- Beaches: open with distancing requirements
- State parks: open for day use and camping, but with limited campsite availability
South Dakota
- Stay at home order: none issued
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted with no official restrictions
- Bars: permitted with no official restrictions
- Entertainment venues: permitted with no official restrictions
- State parks: open for day use and camping
As best as I can tell, the state never issued specific orders related to any types of businesses. Rather, businesses such as restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues were encouraged to “consider” reducing capacity to maintain at least 6 feet distance between customers.
Tennessee
- Stay at home order: expired April 30
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted without capacity restrictions, but must maintain 6 feet between tables (effective May 22); capacity restrictions remain in metro Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville
- Bars: permitted under same guidelines as restaurants
- Entertainment venues: many allowed to reopen effective May 22
- State parks: open for day use; camping allowed with limited availability
Texas
- Stay at home order: expired April 30
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity; up to 75% capacity in approximately 80 rural counties with low case counts
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: most now open, with limits ranging from 25-50% capacity; tubing operations closed
- Beaches: open, except around Corpus Christi
- State parks: open for day use with capacity controls; new camping reservations now accepted
The state had enforced a mandatory 14-day quarantine for air travelers from certain “hot spots”, but Governor Abbott rescinded that order on May 21. Therefore, there are no longer any restrictions for out-of-state travelers to Texas. Also, you must purchase state park day passes in advance online. While weekday tickets usually aren’t a problem, weekends fill up fast. So I strongly recommend checking several days before your weekend visit.
Utah
- Stay at home order: none issued
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted, with precautions
- Bars: permitted, with precautions
- Entertainment venues: many open, with precautions
- State parks: open for day use and camping with capacity controls
Utah during the summer is all about the “Big Five” National Parks, and all plan at least limited reopenings by May 29. However, expect limited tourist infrastructure around Arches and Canyonlands, with the surrounding country remaining in the “Moderate Risk” phase of the state’s reopening.
Vermont
- Stay at home order: partially expired May 15
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Bars: outdoor seating by reservation only
- Entertainment venues: most open up to 50% capacity
- State parks: open for day use and camping
Vermont currently has a ban on short-term rentals and hotel lodging, which is set to expire May 22. However, the state also enforces a mandatory 14-day quarantine for out-of-state visitors traveling for “nonessential” purposes; thus, tourism remains effectively banned indefinitely. Effective June 8, some out of state visitors from New England and upstate New York with low case counts may enter without quarantining.
Virginia
- Stay at home order: expired May 15 or May 29, depending on county
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Bars: permitted up to 50% capacity
- Entertainment venues: some open with capacity restrictions
- Beaches: open, but subject to local restrictions
- State parks: most parks open for day use and camping
Washington
- Stay at home order: expired June 1
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted up to 50% capacity in most areas; parties must be part of the same household to be seated
- Bars: not permitted
- Entertainment venues: mostly closed, except for certain outdoor recreation activities like fishing; allowed at reduced capacity (max 50 people or 50% capacity for theaters) in 10 Phase 3 counties
- Beaches: closed
- State parks: some open for day use only
West Virginia
- Stay at home order: expired May 3
- Dine-in restaurants: permitted at 50% capacity plus outdoor seating
- Bars: permitted at 50% capacity plus outdoor seating
- Entertainment venues: most now open
- State parks: open for day use; camping restricted to state residents
Wisconsin
- Stay at home order: struck down by Wisconsin Supreme Court on May 13; however, several individual cities/counties have since issued orders for their jurisdictions
- Dine-in restaurants: depends on city/county restrictions
- Bars: depends on city/county restrictions
- Entertainment venues: depends on city/county restrictions
- State parks: most open for day use; camping resumes in limited fashion May 26
Talk about a mess. What’s allowed and not allowed in Wisconsin depends entirely on which city/county you’re headed to. Needless to say, check ahead. Based on what I’ve seen previously, expect tougher restrictions to remain around Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee for quite some time.
Wyoming
- Stay at home order: none issued
- Dine-in restaurants: restrictions vary by county
- Bars: restrictions vary by county
- Entertainment venues: open with capacity restrictions
- State parks: open for day use; camping allowed only for Wyoming residents
Both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks resumed limited operations earlier in May. Access to Yellowstone via Montana entrances resumed June 1.
