San Juan National Forest issues seasonal closures, protects winter habitat

The San Juan National Forest has put seasonal closures in place across the Dolores, Columbine and Pagosa ranger districts, affecting wheeled motorized vehicles and some nonmotorized trails. Seasonal closures in the Dolores Ranger District went into effect December 1, and officials said additional closures could be staged later depending on snowpack and weather conditions.

The Forest Service explained the reason for the restrictions. “Even if snow levels are not deep, wheeled motorized use can damage road surfaces during freezing and thawing periods,” the announcement reads. It added that closures also serve a wildlife protection purpose. “Seasonal road and trail closures also protect critical habitat for deer and elk in winter and early spring when temperatures are cold, snow is deep and food is scarce. During these critical times, human disturbance can threaten the survival of deer and elk, especially pregnant females.”

The closures include specified National Forest System roads and trails. Examples cited include NFSR 328 in the Echo Basin area, NFSR 504 along the Dolores River below McPhee Dam, NFSR 528 and NFSR 529D in the House Creek area, and NFSR 240 and NFSR 241 in the Ryman Creek area. Forest managers cautioned motorized users to respect all closure signage and to avoid traveling on vulnerable roads while freeze thaw cycles are active.

Local residents can expect impacts to winter access, trailhead parking and routes commonly used for recreation, forestry work and access to private properties near forest boundaries. Road damage from early season vehicle travel can lead to longer term closures and repairs that affect spring access, potentially disrupting ranching operations, outfitting services and winter recreation that depend on those routes.

Check Forest Service closure signs and verify official updates before heading into the national forest. The staged nature of these restrictions means conditions and accessible routes may change as snowpack and weather evolve through winter and into early spring.