ANNAPOLIS, Md. ─ The Maryland Park Service is closing all State Park campgrounds and day-use areas in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy. The Maryland Forestry Service is also closing Elk Neck State Forest.

The latest weather forecasts predict a significant impact to Assateague Island from Hurricane Sandy. The campground at Assateague State Park closed Saturday evening and will remain closed until the morning of October 31, depending on the severity of damage caused by the storm. The Assateague State Park day-use facility and the road onto the island (Route 611 prior to the Verrazano Bridge) will be closed to all visitors and traffic at 12:00 noon on Sunday and until further notice.

All Maryland State Park campgrounds and day-use areas, including picnic shelters and all other park facilities, will be closed by Sunday evening. State Parks will remain closed, and all park programs are canceled, until the morning of October 31. This closure period will be modified on a park-by-park basis depending on the severity of the storm and associated damage.

Full refunds without cancelation penalties will be automatically processed for all reservations for the period during which the parks are closed. Further information can be found at dnr.md.gov/publiclands