BOISE, Idaho — Most parking lots at trailheads in the Boise National Forest are now open for hiking and motorized recreation. Hot springs and developed campgrounds are closed or not accessible due to snow.
“We are working toward reopening the Forest’s developed campgrounds and facilities,” said Tawnya Brummett, Boise National Forest Supervisor. “Just as Governor Little described in his “Rebound Idaho [lnks.gd]” initiative, we are focusing on visitor and employee safety, developing standard operating procedures for field operations and following social distancing guidelines recommended by the CDC. While this Closure extends to June 30, we will be evaluating if we can safely open developed sites in time for the Memorial Day weekend.”
Limited access to recreational sites and areas is a difficult decision for the Forest Service. The agency says they are looking forward to the day when the sites can safely reopen and are filled with people enjoying public lands.
Forest officials are encouraging people to recreate responsibly. Visiting public lands while facilities are closed can leave major impacts on the environment. You can help protect public lands by following the Leave No Trace principles.
The closures align with federal, state and local guidance for social distancing. They encourage responsible use of these areas, an important step in reducing COVID-19 impacts to local communities.
The USDA Forest Service will continue to assess and temporarily suspend access to areas that attract large crowds and cannot meet social distancing guidelines. For a map of all areas closed in the Boise National Forest, click here. For a map of National Forest closures in Idaho, click here.
