Sonora, CA…Closed since the winter of 2023, Lumsden Road is now open to the South Fork Campground. In addition, Cottonwood Road, closed for the same reason, is scheduled to open Thursday May 21.

“The launch/put-in at Merals Pools is open as well as both campgrounds; Lumsden and Southfork,” explained Groveland District Ranger, Thomas Meyer.

Approximately $1.45 million dollars from Federal Highway Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads and the American Relief Act were used to repair damages to Lumsden Road. The road remains closed from South Fork Campground to Jawbone. Road crews from the Stanislaus and Shasta-Trinity National Forest will begin repair work beginning on the Jawbone side down to the Lumsden Bridge – that project is expected to be complete by the end of summer.

Crews are actively working in the area this week to continue brushing out the road and clearing campgrounds. Private rafting permits are waived this season due to the reconstruction/repairs of the road but will resume in October 2026 and are available on Rec.Gov.

Cottonwood Road will be open effective Thursday, May 21 with two-lane traffic open through the Memorial Day Holiday. Following the Memorial Day Holiday single-lane traffic controls will be in place at different locations as crews continue repair operations.

For more information, contact Stanislaus National Forest Public Affairs Officer, Benjamin Cossel at benjamin.cossel@usda.gov.

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