With the Island preparing to celebrate Emancipation Day and Mary Prince Day next week, the Department of Parks wishes to encourage the public to play their small part in helping to ensure that our parks, beaches and open spaces are kept in a pristine condition during the busy Cup Match holiday weekend.

The public is reminded that there are three designated campgrounds for its convenience: Ferry Point Park, Chaplin Bay and Higgs and Horseshoe Islands. Camping season began on 3 May and ends on 15 October.

Camping permits are required before camping can take place at the designated campgrounds. Permits can be received from the Parks Office located in Global House, and there will be a $15 per night cost per site.

Cup Match Camping

The Cup Match Holiday is a hectic time for camping and picnicking at the Government parks and beaches. 

Therefore, the Ministry of Public Works and the Department of Parks have established guidelines for those wishing to camp outside the three designated campgrounds listed above. 

1. No camping is permitted at Blue Hole Park/Nature Reserve or Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve. 
2. Camping is not allowed on the dune immediately behind Jobsons’ Cove in South Shore Park due to the rare and sensitive plants that need to be protected in this area. There is a sign erected advising park users of this policy. 
3. Absolutely no paint, spray paint, markers or any other form of graffiti is to be used to mark camping spots. Camping will be permitted from Wednesday, 2 August, until Sunday, 6 August 2023.
4. No tents or ropes to mark spots are permitted to be erected on Monday, 31 July. Tents and ropes found erected at the parks and beaches on this date will be taken down by the Department of Parks. 
5. Campers may pitch tents and tarps on Tuesday, 1 August, to secure their preferred spot. However, no one will be permitted to camp on this date. Please do not erect tents in front of the park and beach access gates. 
6. Park gates will be opened during the day on Wednesday, 2 August, to allow campers and picnickers the opportunity to set up. Park Rangers will be on duty until 10 p.m. on Wednesday, 2 August 2023, and will begin locking the gates at 9:30 p.m. 
7. For the safety of park users, all vehicles must be removed from the parks and placed in the designated parking lots. 
8. Park Rangers will also be on duty both days of Cup Match, Thursday, 3 August and Friday, 4 August, from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. and the weekend, Saturday, 5 August and Sunday, 6 August, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to assist park users. 
9. Lifeguards will be on duty at Clearwater Beach, John Smith’s Bay, and Horseshoe Bay from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the holiday period.
10. The Department will also have employees on duty from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. assisting with parking and traffic control at West Whale Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay West, Elbow Beach and Clearwater Beach & Cooper’s Island Park.

Horses in National Parks

The Department of Parks would like to remind the public that from 1 May to 31 October, horses are prohibited from being on any beach in South Shore Park, John Smith’s Bay, Elbow Beach and Shelly Bay.

Horses, however, permitted on the dunes and on the Railway Trails.

Dogs in National Parks

The public is also reminded that as of 1 April, dogs are not permitted to be on any of the public beaches until 31 October.

Department of Parks Special Permissions

We want to remind the public to contact the Parks Office to request a Special Permission permit before hosting an activity/event.

Bonfires in National parks

We also want to remind the public to be mindful of the rules and regulations outlined for recreational bonfires as mandated by the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986.

Enforcement

Under the authority of the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986 and the Bermuda National Parks Regulations 1988, the Park Ranger Service and all authorised Officers aim to provide a safe and secure environment for all Bermuda’s park patrons.

For general information regarding our National Parks, including camping, animals, enforcement and legal issues, please visit https://www.gov.bm/department/parks or call 236-5902.