HARRISBURG, IL December 11, 2020 – As we enter the winter season the Shawnee National Forest reminds the public of the following seasonal closures that are in effect across the Forest.
Seasonal road closures start the week of December 14. For a list of seasonally closed roads and exact dates refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Map, available at any Shawnee office or on-line at www.fs.usda.gov/main/shawnee/maps-pubs.
Some campgrounds will close December 15, including Red Bud (Bell Smith Springs), Pine Ridge (Pounds Hollow), Johnson Creek and Tower Rock campgrounds. Most campgrounds reopen March 15, 2021, with the exception of Tower Rock Campground which reopens May 1, 2021. Four campgrounds remain open year-round include, Pharaoh (Garden of the Gods), Camp Cadiz, Oak Point (Lake Glendale) and Pine Hills Campgrounds.
For trail enthusiasts, please remember that there is a seasonal wilderness trail restriction prohibiting stock use between December 1 and March 31 that Includes the following: Lusk Creek, Garden of the Gods and Bay Creek Wildernesses. These restrictions are necessary to protect wilderness resources.
Find the latest Forest information on the website: www.fs.usda.gov/shawnee or join us on social media, www.facebook.com/shawneenatlforest or twitter.com/shawneenf.
