Updated Mar. 30, 2020 - For our safety and yours, all Umatilla National Forest offices are restricted for public access at this time. All developed recreation sites are also closed.
Mar. 25, 2020: Umatilla National Forest temporarily closes Tucannon River Road (FSR 47)
SERVICES AVAILABLE ONLINE, BY PHONE AND EMAIL
General Information: (541) 278-3716
Email us at: r6_umatilla_public_inquiries@fs.fed.us
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all work together to minimize the impacts and spread of COVID-19.
For the latest updates on Forest impacts due to COVID-19 click here.
For more information on closures due to flood damage click here.
The Umatilla National Forest has temporarily closed several roads and trails on the Pomeroy and Walla Walla Ranger Districts due to substantial damage caused by the flooding event on Feb. 6, 2020. Flood damage is widespread and until critical repairs can be completed, Forest staff have implemented road and trail closures in the areas that received the heaviest impacts. These areas include the Tucannon, Umatilla, and South Fork Walla Walla Rivers. Forest staff are currently working on options to secure funding and resources to conduct repairs.
Burnt Cabin Bridge, located at the junction of the Burnt Cabin Trail and South Fork Walla Walla Trail, is structurally unsound. The bridge structural supports (stringers and sills) are severely rotted and could fail at any time.
For your safety, use of the Burnt Cabin Bridge by the public, including hikers, stock users, bicyclists and motorcyclists is prohibited.
Fording the river is not recommended due to high water flows.
Sorry for your inconvenience. Alternate access to South Fork Walla Walla River Trail is available via Rough Fork Trailhead or South Fork Walla Walla River Trailhead.
For more information contact the Walla Walla Ranger District at (509) 522-6290.
Little Phillips Culvert Removal Project to Begin Soon: Located on the Walla Walla Ranger District, the 45-year-old culvert will be removed in order to alleviate public safety concerns and fish passage issues. Alternate access routes will be made available for those seeking to recreate in the area.
The Forest Service has issued a new parking configuration for the Sno-Parks at Spout Springs Ski Area. The parking modification changes the north parking area to day-use only (in order to alleviate safety concerns raised by Spout Springs) and authorizes overnight parking for trucks/trailers in a portion of the south parking area. Sno-Park use would continue to be available on a first come-first serve basis for both parking areas and require an ODOT sno-park permit from Nov. 1- April 30.
Spout Springs has yet to announce an official opening date. Additional information on Spout Springs Ski Area is available at http://www.spoutspringsskiarea.com/.
Forest officials will assess the effectiveness of these changes at the end of the season. Please submit comments or concerns to Aaron Gagnon at aaron.gagnon@usda.gov
The Umatilla National Forest seeks to provide a safe environment for the public, its employees, and natural resources. So while only a fraction of National Forest System lands are affected by illegal marijuana cultivation, the Forest Service believes that safety risks are real and visitors and employees should be informed about them. more
As part of a larger effort to reduce invasive species on national forest lands, weed-free feed is now required for those using National Forests in the Pacific Northwest. (See Weed-Free-Feed Website) Weed free feed providers: Oregon /Washington.
Forest Service Road 5326, the current western route between Heppner and Ukiah, has been closed due to washouts and road damage that have created unsafe driving conditions. The public is advised to take Highway 74 from Nye/Franklin Grade as an alternate route.
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