Placerville, CA…The seasonal closure of native surface roads (also known as dirt roads) in the Eldorado National Forest will be lifted beginning Thursday, April 1. However, damage could still occur from using dirt roads in wet areas and visitors will be responsible for any damage caused by inappropriate use.

Due to melting snow, wet areas will be present in the forest for some time, especially at higher elevations. Many routes change in elevation over several miles. Visitors are encouraged to be aware of changes in the conditions of the roads they are using, and to adjust travel plans if they reach a wet section.

The seasonal closure is designed to protect roadbeds and watersheds from damage and to protect water quality. A minimum three month closure period from January 1 through March 31 was designated for the core part of the wet season in the Eldorado National Forest Travel Management Plan. This plan also allows the seasonal dirt road closure to start earlier or be extended based on actual conditions in a given year.

The seasonal closure does not affect routes in the Rock Creek Area near Georgetown, which has its own wet weather route closure process.

Other road conditions reported today are as follows:

Wentworth Springs Road – covered in snow between Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Ice House Road
Ice House Road – covered in snow north of the Loon Lake turnoff
Mormon Emigrant Trail / Iron Mountain Road – snow and ice and ice gets thick beginning at Pilliken Road when travelling toward Highway 88 from Sly Park Road

For more information, contact our Visitor Services team from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday through Friday:

Forest Supervisor’s Office: 530-303-2412
Placerville and Pacific Ranger Districts: 916-500-4712
Amador Ranger District: 209-259-3774
Georgetown Ranger District: 530-334-6477

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