Know Before You Go

Check out safety tips, rules and key information to help you plan your visit.

Forest Orders, Closures and Notices

View all Forest Orders and Notices to see what restrictions may be in place.

• Alerts are temporary items of interest.
• Closures are temporary closures of roads, trails, or areas in the national forest or grasslands.
• Public Notices are permanent closures or bans.

Alerts

• Free Firewood Offered at McKelvie National Forest

  Area(s): Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest, Steer Creek Campground

  Date(s): Nov 19, 2021 - Nov 19, 2022

  Contact(s): 308-533-2257

  The Nebraska National Forest is offering free firewood to the public at the Steer Creek Campground in the McKelvie National Forest. A permit is required.  Call (308) 533-2257 for information.

• COVID-19 Recreation Facility & Activity Status Update

  Date(s): Apr 16, 2020

  To support COVID 19 public health and safety measures our offices are not open to the public. We remain available by phone and email to provide information and limited services.  Please note that the National Grasslands Visitor Center and the Hudson Meng Education & Research Center is closed until further notice due to the pandemic.

  The situation is rapidly evolving. View contact information, closures & updates

• If You Fly, We Can't

  Date(s): Jul 12, 2017

  Contact(s): Jennifer Jones

  Drones and wildfires don't mix!

Closures

• Critical Whitetail Campground, OHV Trails Temporarily Closed due to 201 East Wildfire

  Area(s): Nebraska National Forest at Halsey, Bessey Fish Pond, Bessey OHV Trail System, Bessey Recreation Complex and Campground, Charles E. Bessey Tree Nursery, Grouse Viewing Blinds - Bessey, Natick Campground, Scott Lookout Tower, Whitetail Campground

  Date(s): May 23, 2022 - Jul 31, 2022

  Contact(s): (605) 610-8618

  The 201 East Fire remains at 4,192 acres and is now 80% contained.  A partial closure of the Bessey Ranger District is in effect Monday, May 23rd through July 31st, 2022, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.  The Closure Order and map detail what is closed, namely areas east of Forest Service Road (FSR) 203 continuing south to and including FSR 201. Whitetail Campground and many OHV trails are closed. Please do not enter or approach the closure area.

  The fire area closure is necessary to provide for public and firefighter safety as we evaluate and rehabilitate the fire area. Personnel are working along the closed roads, and many hazards including fire-weakened trees that could fall without warning exist. Popular recreation sites, including the Bessey Recreation Complex, Natick Campground, remain open to the public.