Jumbo Rocks Campground is shut through July 23 because of 'aggressive honey bee activity,' the park's website says.
But the closure does put more than 120 campsites out of commission. Smith said the bees “are a natural part of the California desert, and they play a crucial role in helping the plant communities to pollinate... They’re also very thirsty creatures.”
When thirsty bees don’t find their way to water sources in the park like Barker Dam and Keys Ranch, Smith said, they go looking for moisture at picnic tables and on the air-conditioning condensers of cars and RVs. Smith said he was “a little surprised” to see so many bees at Jumbo Rocks, given the many other options.
By clearing out the campground, he said, rangers will give the bees a chance to go looking for liquid elsewhere. Rangers have issued an “excessive heat watch” for the coming weekend, warning visitors to avoid any outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. The forecast calls for highs up to 110 degrees.
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