Lolo National Forest closes all campgrounds, rental cabins and lookouts to limit COVID-19 spread

Release Date: Mar 27, 2020

UPDATE 5/5/2020: Lolo National Forest staff is working hard to reopen developed campgrounds by Memorial Day weekend, or shortly after depending on current conditions. Additionally, rental facilities will begin a phased reopening on May 13 based on seasonal availability and facility conditions. Until then, developed campgrounds and rentals remain temporarily closed. Click here to read more and find a tentative site opening schedule.

UPDATE 4/30/2020: All Lolo National Forest campgrounds, rental cabins and lookouts remain closed until the temporary closure order is rescinded. We are currently working with our state and local partners to determine the best path forward to safely reopening sites. Closing any site for any reason is not one we take lightly, but protecting our visitors and employees remains our highest priority. We will have new information on target reopening dates as soon! Stay tuned here for more information. Thanks for your patience.

MISSOULA, Mont. - Effective March 28, 2020, all Lolo National Forest campgrounds, rental cabins and lookouts will remain closed until the order is rescinded. All outhouses/toilets on the Forest are also included in the closure and garbage service will not be available at Maclay Flat, Blue Mountain, Pattee Canyon, Rattlesnake Recreation Area, and Ferry Landing. The health and safety of visitors, as well as Forest Service employees and volunteers, is paramount during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working to meet the social distancing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help reduce the spread of the virus.

Notification to cabin and lookout renters will be made as soon as possible and refunds will be processed through Recreation.gov.

“We realize the outdoors is a place of refuge for many during this time; however, for the good of the community and for the safety of all, the best course of action is to close these sites until it’s safe to reopen them,” stated Carolyn Upton, Forest Supervisor.

The closures will not impact Lolo National Forest trails, trailheads, recreation areas, dispersed camping sites, or lake access sites which remain open at this time. However, toilets located at these areas will be closed, based on CDC guidelines and recommendations for cleaning public facilities.

“We are asking for the public to recreate responsibly, be good stewards of the land, and importantly, adhere to social distancing guidelines when out in the forest,” added Upton.

Forest managers would like to remind visitors to adopt a pack-it-in and pack-it-out mentality as trash services may be limited during this time, especially packing out dog waste in areas around Missoula. Visitor centers such as Savenac Historic Tree Nursery and Ninemile Historic Remount Depot are currently closed for the season and are regularly scheduled to open at the end of May, the status of these facilities will be evaluated in the coming weeks.

Keep in mind that law enforcement and/or search and rescue operations may be limited due to the COVID-19 issues. High-risk activities such as rock climbing, etc. or backcountry activities that increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided. The Forest continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation. As we work through an unpredictable and rapidly changing environment, health and safety is our number one priority. We are committed to supporting our communities and fulfilling our mission as we all work together to minimize the impact and spread of the virus.

For a complete list of campgrounds and site closures see below, follow us on Facebook @lolonationalforest, follow us on Twitter @LoloNF, or contact your local District office.