Officials ask to keep forest roads safe from damage during Spring season

The members of the National Forest Service Bighorn National Forest Office are excited to get back up on the mountain. The Forest Service knows that with the warming weather and returned sunshine, the public may also be feeling this call to the Bighorns.  

However, there are still winter conditions in the Bighorns and travel regulations will not be changed to open routes earlier than stated in the Motor Vehicle Use Map. 

Roads and trails are most vulnerable in the Spring due to wet conditions making it easier to displace soils and damage the route. If you do choose to drive Forest roads, always stay on the designated route, and do not attempt to drive around muddy spots or snowdrifts. This causes additional damage and is also illegal.

Sheridan County Undersheriff Lieutenant Devereaux Johnson told listeners of Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse he has waited to venture onto certain roads as late as June in previous years only to find snow and damage to mountain roads. 

Sheridan County Undersheriff Lt. D. Johnson

The free Motor Vehicle Use Map is available at each of the Forest’s offices and downloadable from the Forest Service website, here. The Forest Services asks that the public please continue to respect road and trail seasonal closures, even if the public believes the route looks suitable. The intent of some seasonal closures is to protect wildlife.

As a reminder, motorized travel in the national forest is allowed only on open, signed, and designated routes. A Bighorn National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map is the best way to know if you’re on a legal route and if it has a seasonal closure. Along with other map information, a free map is available by clicking here.

In Johnson County, Commission Chair Bill Novotny asked the public to please keep from damaging forest roads during this muddy time of year.  

Johnson County Commission Chairperson B. Novotny

For those who own a mobile device, the public can take the Bighorn’s Motor Vehicle Use map with them. Information about downloading the app and the map is on the Bighorn’s website.

Motorized travel is allowed within 300 feet from the centerline of most motorized routes for the purposes of firewood gathering, camping, and game retrieval as long as resource damage does not occur.

Current hydrologic outlook, and flood risk information is available from the National Weather Service website by clicking here. 

Snowpack information is available from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, click here.   

For more information about Forest conditions and to find out if your favorite road, trail, or campground is open, contact the Powder River Ranger District in Buffalo at 307-684-7806, the Medicine Wheel Ranger District in Greybull at 307-765-4435, or the Tongue Ranger District in Sheridan at 307-674-2600.