Sierra National Forest
Credit: USDA file photo
May 21, 2020 - Clovis Calif., – The Sierra National Forest announced that most developed recreation sites will remain closed through June 4, 2020. The purpose of Forest Order No. 05-15-00-20-02 is to protect public and employee health and safety, along with protection of natural and cultural resources, by closing designated developed recreation sites on the Sierra National Forest from May 21, 2020 – June 4, 2020.
The order does not close trails, trailheads, and general forest areas, dispersed camping of course remains available and open for public use and enjoyment. Information on individual recreation sites and opportunities are available from your local Forest office.
While continuing to consult with state and CDC guidelines, and coordinating with County Public Health Officials as representatives of the State’s Staging plan, allows the Sierra National Forest (SNF), forest recreation concessionaire California Land Management (CLM), permittees, and forest partners to continue working with due diligence to prepare and open all recreational facilities to receive visitors when possible.
It’s every bit the intention of this order during this time that we continue to protect employees, permittees, our partners, and the health and well-being of the local communities.
On May 22, 2020 the following SNF day-use recreation areas on the Bass Lake Ranger District have met the guidelines of the CDC, and state and local agencies and will re-open:
- Wishon Boating Site
- The Falls Picnic Site
- Lakeside Picnic Site
- Rocky Point Picnic Site
- Denver Church Picnic Site
- Little Denver Picnic Site
- Pine Slope Picnic Site
Due to an accumulation of over winter debris and additional public safety hazards including hazard trees, all recreation areas on the High Sierra Ranger District will remain closed through this Memorial Day weekend. Crews will continue their work to have additional or all recreation open as soon as possible. In recognition of how important these recreation areas are to the community, county, valley, and beyond, the SNF works hard toward keeping those areas open. However, when there is a concern for public safety forest managers have to make difficult decisions, and close areas with the highest degree of risk to our visitors.
Keeping these sites closed for any reason is not an action we take lightly, but protecting our visitors and employees, and local communities remains high priority.
We recognize that enjoying nature to promote mental and physical health comes at a time when access is vital to the public. As we continue to work to reopen more campgrounds and picnic areas providing full access, we ask that visitors be patient during this transition period. Crews will continue their work to add additional or have all recreation areas open by June 4, 2020 if possible.
Crews are working expeditiously at what normally would take approximately two to three weeks to open a campground and prepare picnic areas. This work includes removing hazard trees, brushing and sweeping the roads, cleaning sites, fire rings, and restrooms, and turning on and testing water systems. The SNF and CLM are working hard to expedite the opening of sites while meeting very specific health and safety standards.
We recommend exercising close to your home and complying with local and state guidance of not traveling for your recreation needs.
If you do plan on visiting the SNF please be aware that:
• Trash removal is currently offered in select locations – please pack out all trash and waste
• Some toilet facilities maybe currently closed – please plan accordingly
• Avoid high-risk activities – search and rescue operations may be limited, these activities include water activities on the many rivers, streams, and lakes, and wilderness backpacking located on the Sierra National Forest. Water safety tips
• Avoid crowds - if an area is crowded, please search for a less occupied location
We would like to also remind our visitors that all SNF offices remain physically closed during this time however, we do have staff working virtually to assist with your information needs.
Office hours and phone contacts as follows:
• High Sierra Ranger District... 559-855-5355, Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Bass Lake Ranger District... 559-877-2218, Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Forest Supervisors Office... 559-297-0706, Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
To remain informed on SNF recreational activities during COVID-19 and this transition please follow our webpage at www.fs.usda.gov/sierra , FaceBook at www.facebook.com/SierraNF , and Twitter at www.twitter.com/SierraNF . Pages are updated as current information is received.
We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our national forests safe and healthy for everyone’s use.
Source: Sierra National Forest
