CLOVIS – After an extraordinary winter on the Sierra National Forest (SNF), some campgrounds remain closed due to snow and rain amounts that haven’t been seen in years.
Some campground closures are due to inaccessibility — with snow still measurable in feet in the higher elevations — extremely wet conditions, and damage to roads on the forest.
In recognition of how important these campgrounds are to the community, the county, the Valley and beyond, officials say the SNF is working hard toward opening at the earliest opportunity. Forest road crews, along with cooperating partners, are working jointly to gain access for repair and to open the campgrounds as quickly as possible.
As access roads are cleared, the campgrounds will be added to the reservation system for visitor use.
In addition to the weather-related closures, the following campgrounds on the Bass Lake Ranger District and High Sierra Ranger District will remain closed until further notice pending the SNF’s continuing response to the high degree of tree mortality:
On the Bass Lake Ranger District –
- Rock Creek
- Fish Creek
- Mammoth Pool
- Crane Valley Group
- Jerseydale
- Chilkoot
- Soda Springs
- Placer
- Ross Cabin
On the High Sierra Ranger District —
- Gigantea
- Buck
- Swanson Meadow
Camping in or visiting these closed recreation sites is prohibited by Forest Order (No. 05-15-00-17-04) for the safety of forest visitors (16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b)).
When work is completed in an affected campground, it will be opened for use. Public health and safety has been and will continue to be a priority, say Forest officials.
Please check campground status updates on the Sierra NF webpage www.fs.usda.gov/sierra, the campground operator California Land Management site at http://www.clm-services.com, and the campground reservation site at http://recreation.gov for updated information.
For further information regarding the Sierra National Forest and recreational activities please contact the High Sierra Ranger District office in Prather at 559-855-5355, the Bass Lake Ranger District in North Fork at 559-877-2218, or the Forest Supervisors Office in Clovis at 559-297-0706.
