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WEST POINT — COVID-19 has had a major impact on leisure activities this year in the U.S. There’s no Major League Baseball right now, no crowded ball parks, and in many places no crowded beaches, gyms or bars. One place where there’s a happening right now is West Point Lake.

The four campgrounds managed by the West Point Project Office have been filled for most of the summer and on weekends, the parking lots at many of the boat ramps and filled with trucks with empty trailers, meaning lots of watercraft on the lake.

“We are always busy this time of year,” West Point Project Ranger Susan Cromer said, “but I believe we are having an increase in visitation this summer. Being on the lake is one of those things people can do and feel safe.”

The four campgrounds that are open, R. Shaefer Heard, Amity Park, Whitetail Ridge and Holiday, are limited to eight people per camp site. Most camping groups usually maintain that even in the best of years. Four other private camping sites are leased from the West Point Project. They include Southern Pines on the Alabama side, Pyne Road Park and Highland Marina near LaGrange and Brush Creek Park on the upper end of the lake in Heard County.

The three beaches in the public use areas are closed. These include Rocky Point Park on the Alabama side, along with Earl Cook and Yellowjacket Parks near LaGrange, Georgia. This is being done to keep people from congregating in groups of eight people or more. The visitor center inside the Project Management office is also closed to avoid people congregating indoors. Also closed are picnic shelters with more than two picnic tables.

The closures, said Cromer, are in keeping with CDC guidelines.

“Most our day-use areas are open, and a few are partially open,” she said. “This is due to having 60 restrooms we have to constantly clean.”

The fully open day use parks include Hardley Creek Park, West Overlook, and Anderson Park on the Alabama side; Veasey Creek Park is partially open. Sites open on the Georgia side of the lake include Eagle View Park, the R. Shaefer Heard Day Use Park, Long Cane Park, Horace King Park, Dewberry Park, Evansville Park, Whitewater Park, Liberty Hill Park, Georgia Park, Clark Park, and Ringer Park. Partly open sites on the Georgia side include Sunny Point Park, McGee Bridge Park, Glass Bridge Park and the Yellow Jacket Creek Recreation Area.

The road across the top of West Point Dam had been closed for several days but is now open. Some routine maintenance that was scheduled for the dam has been rescheduled for later this year.

Anyone with questions about the West Point Project may call (706) 645-2937 for information. For information on the lake’s elevation and power generation schedule, call (706) 645-2929 or 1-888-771-4601.